Which organism is primarily used for studying epigenetic mechanisms?

The primary organism used for studying epigenetic mechanisms is mammals. This is due to several key factors. First, mammals, particularly laboratory models like mice and rats, have complex biological systems that closely resemble human physiology, making them ideal for understanding epigenetic modifications that can impact development, behavior, and disease in higher organisms.

Additionally, mammals exhibit a wide variety of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, which are crucial for regulating gene expression patterns during development and in response to environmental changes. The ability to manipulate the genome of mammals through techniques like CRISPR and genetic engineering further enhances their utility in epigenetic studies, allowing researchers to investigate how specific epigenetic changes affect phenotype and contribute to various diseases.

While other organisms like fungi, bacteria, and plants also have epigenetic regulation, the complexity and relevance of mammalian systems in biomedical research make them the primary focus in the study of epigenetic mechanisms. The extensive literature available on mammalian genetics and epigenetics supports this choice as the primary model for such studies.