we're starting new reasearch about epigenetics, a new fields in our lab. The method i remember from my student years was something abouth methilation. Is there some routine assay to measure methilations using a standard PCR termocycler???
Hello Agustina,
You do have some specific kits and methods to perform (MS)-PCR. If you're interested in taking a look at a global picture, currently you can also use Next generation sequence (whole genome bisulfite sequencing) for this purpouse.
Methylation-Specific PCR (MSP): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8790415
COBRA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9171110
Both are relatively simple and easy methods for DNA methylation analysis. In both cases you will need to treat your DNA with bisulfite and desing primers specifically for that scenario. That´s for DNA.
There are other epigenetic marks that involve methylation, Histone 3 Lysine 4 methylation for instance, but those marks require very different approaches in order to analyze them. I´m not very familiar with this field of epigenetics, but you could easily find protocols and articles related to these topics online.
Hope this helps.
Dear Agustina...
You may use Methylation Sensitive Amplified Polymorphic DNA (MSAP)!