The base genetic blueprint inside of you defines who and what you are. The expression of genes from one offspring too another allows genetic evolution to take place. Epigenetics refers to the changes observed in an organism due a particular set of genes being expressed or not under the influence of various environmental conditions. Unlike mutations, stimuli detected from trauma, exercise, microgravity on the body can lead to these changes. In this case, we aren't altering the structure of DNA, but simply adding on to its profile.
To understand Epigenetics under the influence of microgravity, let's look at it at the human level. During intense extended spaceflights, astronauts were seen to be experiencing bone loss as a result of Epigenetics due to their environment conditions as a form of genetic control. Studies have shown a decrease in embryonic markers which provides us more clues on Epigenetics enabling us to further understand osteoporosis. Similarly, plants too express changes under the influence of microgravity. Methylation patterns (addition or the removal of the methyl group) showcase how they respond to its effects.
More research is yet to be conducted by NASA's Advance Plant Experiments (APEX-03 and APEX-04) in order to identify behavioural changes due to inheritance of the epigenetic genome. Epigenetics is like wearing your shades on a hot sunny day; you wear them when you want and remove them when you don't. It’s a reversible process, by removing external factors leading to environmental change we can control which positive or negative traits we would prefer keep.
Check out this video!
Sources:
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/news/understanding-epigenetics-research-in-space
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