Methylation analysis on whole genome level. What did we learn from BEN studies?

Recent years have brought the interest of genetic research to the human epigenome. Its unique characteristics--being simultaneously stable and dynamic, present vast opportunities for cell function regulation, maintaining and executing different cell type programmes. Greatest efforts were invested in studying DNA methylation in comparison to histone modifications and miRNA studies. The present review aims to shed some light on the key mechanisms governing the epigenetic characteristics of the human genome and how epigenetic patterns can be analysed on whole genome scale. Here are presented the main advantages and disadvantages of different approaches to methylation analysis. This review presents a link between the methodology and some of its application in BEN research as an example of polygenic disorders.