Everything Epigenetics Hannah Went

Determining a newborn's due date traditionally relies on maternal reports of the last menstrual period and ultrasound scans.

These conventional approaches can lead to uncertainties, especially when it comes to identifying deviations from normal fetal development that could impact research into the effects of preterm or post-term births on newborns.

However, researchers, including Kristine Løkås Haftorn, have now developed a more precise method to ascertain newborns' gestational age through analyzing DNA methylation patterns in blood samples, utilizing machine learning.

This is crucial because accurate knowledge of gestational age is fundamental for understanding the risks and implications of preterm and post-term births on infant health.

Moreover, the ability to accurately determine gestational age in utero could revolutionize prenatal care by providing deeper insights into fetal development, potentially allowing for earlier identification of developmental issues and more tailored interventions to support healthy pregnancies.

This breakthrough, driven by machine learning's ability to sift through and interpret complex epigenetic information, underscores the potential of combining technology with biology to enhance our understanding of human development.

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I speak with Kristine about epigenetic gestational age prediction, how we can use gestational age clocks to look at developmental timing and how this can improve pregnancies, assisted reproductive technology (ART), and more.

Kristine is particularly interested in epigenetic patterns in newborns, how these patterns are linked to development in the fetus and child, and how they can be affected by various exposures during pregnancy.

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, you’ll learn about:
DNA methylation's role in fetal developmentGestational age and how is it linked to fetal developmentPredicting gestational age using epigenetics Why determining specific cell types responsible for an association between DNA methylation and a given phenotype importantHow Kristine is adjusting for cell type composition in her workWhat cell-type specific DNA methylation patterns are associated with gestational ageNucleated red blood cellsWhy Kristine believes nucleated red blood cells are the main cell type driving the DNAm-GA associationThe poor correlation observed between epigenetic age clocks for newborns and those for adultsHow we can use gestational age clocks to look at developmental timing and how this can improve pregnanciesAssisted reproductive technology (ART)Differences in disease in ART babies and traditional birth babiesEpigenome-wide association studies of ART Investigating CpGs on the X chromosomeHow Kristine’s research will affect ART protocols in the futureWhere to find Kristine: 
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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.

Machine learning models that use DNA markers can estimate the age of biological samples. However, understanding why these markers change with age is challenging because it's hard to prove that these changes cause aging-related traits.

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I speak with Kejun Ying who uses large datasets to find specific DNA markers that directly influence aging traits.

We explore his recently published study which found casual CpGs that speed up aging and others that protect against it.

Kejun and colleagues created two new models, DamAge and AdaptAge, to measure harmful and beneficial changes related to aging. DamAge, which indicates negative aging effects, is linked to several health risks, including higher chances of dying. AdaptAge, on the other hand, shows positive aging adaptations. Interestingly, only the negative changes seen in DamAge can be reversed by a process that makes aged cells young again.

The research findings provide a detailed understanding of the DNA markers that truly affect lifespan and overall health as we age. This helps us develop more accurate aging biomarkers and evaluate treatments aimed at reversing aging, improving longevity, and understanding events that speed up the aging process.

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, you’ll learn about:
Kejun’s unique journey into the aging fieldOne of the biggest weaknesses of the epigenetic clocks (separating causation versus correlation)Mendelian randomization Casual inferenceWhy causality matters for aging biomarkersWhy it is  important to separate deleterious and protective changes in agingDamAge (casual aging clock based on damaging sites)AdpateAge (casual aging clock based on protective sites)The applications of DamAge and what AdpateAgeClockBase: a comprehensive platform for biological age profiling in human and mouseThe application of ClockBaseData privacy when using ClockBaseWhere to find Kejun: 
XLinkedInGoogle ScholarKejun Ying is a 4th year Ph.D. student in Harvard Medical School, Gladyshev lab. His research focuses on understanding cause of aging and develop ML-based aging biomarkers to facilitate the discovery of novel anti-aging interventions.




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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.

The idea of the impintome is still foreign to many people. So, let’s start with a simple explanation.

For the majority of genes, we inherit two functional copies—one from our mother and one from our father. However, imprinted genes follow a different pattern, as we inherit only one functional copy. Depending on the specific gene, either the copy from our mother or our father undergoes epigenetic silencing. This silencing process typically involves the addition of methyl groups during the formation of eggs or sperm.

The epigenetic modifications on imprinted genes typically stay put  throughout the organism's lifespan but undergo a reset during the formation of eggs and sperm. Regardless of their origin, certain genes are consistently silenced in eggs, while others are consistently silenced in sperm.

Soon after egg and sperm meet, most of the epigenetic tags that activate and silence genes are stripped from the DNA. However, in mammals, imprinted genes keep their epigenetic tags. Imprinted genes begin the process of development with epigenetic tags in place.

Imprinted genes are not the only genes that bypass epigenetic reprogramming in the early embryo. Studying imprinting may help researchers understand how other genes make it through reprogramming without losing their epigenetic tags.
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The field of epigenetics and the imprintome has grown exponentially in the past decade, largely fueled by Randy Jirtle's groundbreaking research. 

Picture this: his 2003 study on how nutrition impacts gene regulation is the single most talked-about paper in the history of science. Jirtle's discoveries have been a game-changer, unraveling secrets about human health and the roots of diseases.

In this week's Everything Epigenetics podcast, I dive into a captivating conversation with Dr. Jirtle. We explore the fascinating intricacies of his research, unravel its profound implications for understanding disease development, and uncover the urgent call for more scientists to embark on the mesmerizing journey into the world of epigenetics.
In this Everything Epigenetics episode, you’ll learn about:
Jirtle’s seminal 2003 Agouti mouse studyThe concept of imprinting and epigenetics The evolutionary biology approachHow environmental and nutritional exposures can determine phenotypes through epigenetic regulationThe profound impact that Jirtle had on the scientific community with his researchHow to identify imprintome regulatory regions in the germlineThe discovery of the full imprintome control regions in July 2022How to measure the imprintome with the imprintome arrayHow the imprintome is starting to connect the dots to certain disease risksFuture research on imprtinting and human evolutionChallenges in researching the imprintomePragmatic applications of the imprintome Excitement in current researchWhere to find Randy:
Website: https://www.geneimprint.com

Professor Randy L. Jirtle joined the Duke University Department of Radiology in 1977, and headed the Epigenetics and Imprinting Laboratory until 2012. He is now a Professor of Epigenetics in the Department of Biological Sciences at North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC. Jirtle’s research interests are in epigenetics, genomic imprinting, and the fetal origins of disease susceptibility. He is known for his groundbreaking studies linking environmental exposures early in life to the development of adult diseases through changes in the epigenome, and for determining
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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.

Did you know that the Great Depression—the worst economic downturn in US history—impacted how fast individuals aged biologically decades later according to their epigenetic aging profiles?!

Yep… you read that right. 

Results show that faster epigenetic aging later in life is associated with worse economic conditions, specifically, during the prenatal period, suggesting it may be a sensitive window for the development of later-life disparities in aging. As a result, early-life investments may help postpone age-related morbidity and mortality.

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Lauren Schmitz speaks with me about just that. We take a deep dive into several of her studies which focuses on using genetic and epigenetic measures alongside data on the social environment from population-based longitudinal studies and randomized control trials. 

Lauren and I also discuss the methodology she uses for uncovering causal effects from observational data, with the ultimate goal of identifying policy targets that enhance quality of life and extend healthspan. 

We also chat about her study results that support DNA methylation-based epigenetic aging as a signature of educational inequalities in life expectancy emphasizing the need for policies to address the unequal social distribution of these World Health Organization (WHO) risk factors, as well as, social disadvantages which may contribute additively to faster biological aging.

I’m extremely excited and passionate about Lauren’s work myself, as it suggests that epigenetic aging measures may contain additional valuable information that could further our understanding of the causes of social disparities in aging and health span.

Lauren is now actively working on assessing measures of biological age in a low-income context, specifically “The Malawi Longitudinal Study of Families and Health”.

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, you’ll learn about:
Lauren’s atypical, windy road into scienceThe Health and Retirement studyMaternal-fetal epigenetic programmingWhy it’s important to look at early-life exposures to adverse eventsHow we can look at early-life exposures to adverse events through the lens of Epigenetics In utero exposure to the Great Depression being reflected in late-life epigenetic aging signaturesHow early-life investments may help postpone age-related morbidity and mortality and extend healthy life spanLauren’s study  “The Socioeconomic Gradient in Epigenetic Ageing Clocks: Evidence from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and the Health and Retirement Study”Another one of Lauren’s study titled: “The Role of Epigenetic Clocks in Explaining Educational Inequalities in Mortality: A Multicohort Study and Meta-analysis”Why is it important to conduct research on the connection between epigenetic pathways of and the socioeconomic gradient and educational inequalitiesEpigenetic ecosystemsApplications of Lauren’s work in the real world Where to find Lauren:
Website: www.laurenlschmitz.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/laurenlschmitz
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-schmitz-8156785b/
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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.

I always have a great time chatting with Dr. Jeoff Drobot, and in this podcast he doesn’t disappoint. 

He is an expert in “age accounting” and often speaks about biological age in terms of environmental debits and credits..

What does this look like? 

Well, retirement should not be the first time you start thinking about longevity. Just like a small amount of money invested well can grow to become significant wealth, a small investment in your health can lead to years of a healthier, enjoyable life.

So, what’s the first step for making this investment? 

First, know how to cut through the fluff. A huge number of supplements, devices, lifestyle plans, and even prescription drugs claim to promote longevity. While some have true health benefits, others are all hype and may even cause harm.

Second, you need an expert in the field of longevity. Ideally, this is a professional who believes in the power of innovative technology, and has the training and experience to discern what is really worthwhile. 

Your longevity expert will need to know how to tailor your longevity plan for your unique physiology and how to make adjustments as needed.

In this episode of the Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Drobot and I chat about making this type of health investment in yourself along with the role of epigenetics and bioregulatory medicine in wellness. Additionally, we discuss how to leverage the power of technology and implement customized medical “biohacking” protocols to protect your investment in longevity.

Remember, your health is your greatest investment.

In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about: 
Dr. Drobot’s journey in medicineEpigenetics being an integral piece of how Dr. Drobot practices Biological Medicine todayThe importance of longitudinal testing What it means to practice vs. pay for longevityBiological age in terms of environmental debits and creditsHow epigenetic testing has revolutionized Dr. Drobot’s practiceHow innovations in biological medicine optimize methylation and therefore biological agingMultiple case studies from Dr. Drobot’s practiceResonate breath rate My WHOOP journeyHow epigenetic testing can empower those who are say 40, 50 or even 60 to take charge of preventing cognitive decline disease processesThe newest innovations Dr. Drobot is seeing in the longevity space and utilizing in his practiceWhere to find Dr. Jeoff Drobot
Website - https://drdrobot.com/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/drdrobot/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/drobotlongevity/
Dr. Drobot has spent the last twenty years harnessing the cutting edge science of Biological Medical technology to assess and amplify human biology and physiology. He is passionate about guiding people near and far who envision being free from chronic illness and those dedicated to preventing a serious diagnosis from ever manifesting.


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Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Dr. Toinét Cronjé about what epigenetics can do for the field of epidemiology. 

Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. By studying epigenetics and epidemiology in tandem, Dr. Cronjé seeks to understand patterns of diseases in populations, identify risk factors, and develop strategies to prevent or control health issues.

More specifically, Dr. Conjé researches epigenetics in understudied populations including the association between DNA methylation and noncommunicable diseases and how DNA methylation clocks perform in these groups.

By making the most of the data we have available at the moment (from high-income countries) and of opportunities provided to researchers like herself to work at leading universities like the University of Copenhagen, she hopes that we will get closer to finding the tools to ease the burden on the research communities in low and middle income countries (LMICs). 

If we can truly start to investigate data from LMICs can you imagine the richness of the information we will unearth?

Many of the questions that we are struggling with will be easier to address if we have more diversity in research data sets (e.g. genetics, cultural, dietary, and environmental), as rich (diverse) data sets allow researchers to see more angles to approach their questions from that they might not have been able to see before.

Dr. Cronjé’s hope is to develop blood-based screening tools for a disease. Only then, when disease screening is accessible to all (e.g. through a blood test instead of intensive and invasive procedures) will we actually know what proportion of populations around the world actually suffer from diseases like these.

Using that as a starting block we can finally proceed to addressing stigma and improving care.
In this episode of Everything Epigenetics, you’ll learn about: 
Toinét’s unique backgroundOMIC epidemiologyWhat epigenetics does for epidemiology The importance of biobanks What we can tell you about yourself when investigating the epigenome using an archived sample from a biobankWhy it’s important to research understudied populations What we can learn from low and middle income countriesWhat the research community is missing out on by not studying these groupsNoncommunicable diseases (NCDs)The association between DNA methylation and NCDsThe urban-rural divide which provides a unique opportunity to investigate the effect of the combined presence of multiple forms of environmental exposure on DNAm and the related increase in disease riskToinét’s study on “Comparison of DNA methylation clocks in black South African men”Epigenetic age acceleration in the cardiometabolic disease among migrant and non-migrant African populationsAn editorial Toinét wrote in late November 2021 titled “Could unlocking methylation-based blood cell counts revolutionize epidemiology?”The current challenges in epigenetics that should be addressed in future workToinét’s next epigenetic-based project Support the Show.
Thank you for joining us at the Everything Epigenetics Podcast and remember you have control over your Epigenetics, so tune in next time to learn more about how.