Genomics and Bioinformatics

Study: Environmental epigenetics affects disease, evolution

By Eric Sorensen, WSU science writer PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University researchers say environmental factors are having an underappreciated effect on the course of disease and evolution by prompting genetic mutations through epigenetics, a process by which genes are turned on and off independent of an organism’s DNA sequence.

Center helps scientists measure light to find mutations

By Scott Weybright, College of Agricultural, Human & Natural Resource Sciences PULLMAN, Wash. – Plants use light during photosynthesis. But they also give off light, though in amounts so small we can’t see it. The amount of light changes based on the plant’s environment and genetic makeup.