The study of DNA methylation in single DNA bases (namely cytosines), as well as multi/regional bases, helps researchers have a better understanding of how this epigenetic mechanism is involved in gene expression at a gene-specific level.
Determination of DNA hypermethylation (increase) and hypomethylation (decrease) at a global level can be utilized as molecular markers in multiple biological processes such as cancer, as well as in environmental influences such as radiation exposure or drug treatment.