Items of interest

This page will be for information that AGiR! would like to become common knowledge.

Check it out! Thank you in advance for your feedback!

First of all, and once again, here is a definition of genomic integrity:

Genomic integrity is the active maintenance of all the genetic elements in the cells of an organism (including DNA/RNA/epigenetic determinants and appropriate developmental gene expression) for proper dynamic function.

(aka health).

Genomic integrity is about more than just the DNA molecules per se.

In order to simplify a complex issue in the public interest, we propose this 'big picture' concept, based on the idea that all genetic elements, including the genomic sequence in DNA, its dosage effects, the many essential RNAs from these sequences and also epigenetic factors, need to work together properly, in spite of the many differences at the DNA level there are between members of a species. Newer research even implies that long non-coding RNAs (processed to much shorter RNA elements) have a role in maintaining the correct DNA sequences in the genome! Therefore, just talking about DNA mutations is not necessarily getting to the root of the issue...

What is abundantly clear is that so many things in our current environment can have negative impacts on our genomic integrity. Because there are so many things out there that can damage DNA, about 100 DNA repair genes are found in the human genome. Besides direct DNA damage, various epigenetic factors (including direct DNA modification, by methylation or acetylation) can be based on environmental exposures, such that some say we are now perhaps feeling the effects of the things to which our grandparents were exposed...

Even when individual risks are low, perhaps considering cumulative risks as well is necessary. The inventors of the car didn't worry about global warming, and now we are seeing an increase in chronic illness and cancer that seems to be overtaking infectious disease (at least for the moment).

AGiR! aims to promote research into reliable and quantitative measures of genomic integrity and to create greater awareness of the ways one can easily protect genomic integrity.

Secondly:

Here is some information provided at the 2009 World Economic Forum about cancer causes and prevention

About 85% of cancers are not inherited, and prevention is the most effective solution to this problem.

Obviously, AGiR! is not the only one thinking about protecting genomic integrity for health.

Some people focus on the ends of chromosomes, the telomeres.

Have a look at the first slide of this slideshow, about 18 secrets for a longer life!

Then, there are nutrition-specific perspectives also on the same topic, like from this nutritionist and many others...

How merely nutrition can protect us from cancer or other chronic diseases entirely, in the face of so many threats, is unclear, however.

To note: at least more people are seemingly becoming aware, it seemed already by mid-2014.

Even in countries with developing economies, campaigns like the one in Costa Rica, to recommend protection from the sun to prevent melanomas (that are on the rise, as elsewhere) seem to be getting impressive results and having positive public impact. Whether the idea of 'genomic integrity' will help such progress remains to be seen...

For some further information, here are links to:

an FP7 research project (2011-2015) based on the DNA damage response which used selective PARP inhibition on BRCA1/2 deficient tumors as a 'magic bullet' therapy!

a list of molecules, processes and compounds which potentially damage DNA

and a Prezi for the multimedia buffs ! Enjoy!!