Genetics and Epigenetics of Early Life Development

Genetics and Epigenetics of Early Life Development PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789083246819
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The PhD thesis Genetics and epigenetics of early life development by Veronika Odintsova (VU, Amsterdam) concerns traits and exposures associated with early life development. It contains a series of studies that have as a background the role of nature and nurture in human development. In these studies, the author used contemporary genetic epidemiological methods and the latest molecular biology advances, and applied these to early life traits in two large cohorts in the Netherlands and UK—the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The NTR samples comprises twins, which is a valuable resource in research on early life development and biomarkers, because the twin design allows one evaluate genetic and environmental influences on the phenotypes of interest. Studying early life outcomes and traits, such as a newborn state at birth assessed with Apgar scores (i.e., scores based on newborn appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration) or handedness, the author found a very small contribution of genetic influences to those traits, and hypothesized that epigenetic modifications could play a role. Most epigenetic programming is thought to take place within the first 1000 days of life. Epigenetic mechanisms are mechanisms that influence gene expression throughout the lifespan. Some epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, which are attributable to early life factors and exposures, can persist throughout childhood and into adulthood. This thesis focused on DNA methylation, as a source of variation, in addition to the genetic and environmental sources. It focused, inter alia, on epigenetic differences related to early life exposures – prenatal maternal smoking and breastfeeding – and complex traits – birth weight, BMI, left-handedness, and aggression.

Genetics and Epigenetics of Early Life Development

Genetics and Epigenetics of Early Life Development PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN: 9789083246819
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Get Book Here

Book Description
The PhD thesis Genetics and epigenetics of early life development by Veronika Odintsova (VU, Amsterdam) concerns traits and exposures associated with early life development. It contains a series of studies that have as a background the role of nature and nurture in human development. In these studies, the author used contemporary genetic epidemiological methods and the latest molecular biology advances, and applied these to early life traits in two large cohorts in the Netherlands and UK—the Netherlands Twin Register (NTR) and the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). The NTR samples comprises twins, which is a valuable resource in research on early life development and biomarkers, because the twin design allows one evaluate genetic and environmental influences on the phenotypes of interest. Studying early life outcomes and traits, such as a newborn state at birth assessed with Apgar scores (i.e., scores based on newborn appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration) or handedness, the author found a very small contribution of genetic influences to those traits, and hypothesized that epigenetic modifications could play a role. Most epigenetic programming is thought to take place within the first 1000 days of life. Epigenetic mechanisms are mechanisms that influence gene expression throughout the lifespan. Some epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, which are attributable to early life factors and exposures, can persist throughout childhood and into adulthood. This thesis focused on DNA methylation, as a source of variation, in addition to the genetic and environmental sources. It focused, inter alia, on epigenetic differences related to early life exposures – prenatal maternal smoking and breastfeeding – and complex traits – birth weight, BMI, left-handedness, and aggression.

Examining a Developmental Approach to Childhood Obesity

Examining a Developmental Approach to Childhood Obesity PDF Author: Institute of Medicine
Publisher: National Academies Press
ISBN: 030937698X
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 256

Get Book Here

Book Description
Recent scientific evidence points to the origins of childhood obesity as an outcome of the dynamic interplay of genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors throughout early development, with a compelling body of evidence suggesting that both maternal and paternal nutritional and other exposures affect a child's risk of later obesity. The burgeoning field of epigenetics has led researchers to speculate that many of the observed associations between early developmental exposures and later risk of childhood obesity are mediated, at least in part, through epigenetic mechanisms. To explore the body of evolving science that examines the nexus of biology, environment, and developmental stage on risk of childhood obesity, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council convened a workshop in February 2015. The workshop focused on the prenatal period, infancy, and early childhood and addressed evidence from both animal and human studies. Workshop objectives were to (1) identify epigenetic-mediated relationships between exposure to risk factors during sensitive periods of development (gestation through age 3) and subsequent obesity-related outcomes; (2) explore the science around periods of plasticity and potential reversibility of obesity risk in the context of early childhood development; and (3) examine the translation of epigenetic science to guide early childhood obesity prevention and intervention to reduce obesity risk. This report summarizes the information presented and discussed at the workshop.

Epigenetic Epidemiology

Epigenetic Epidemiology PDF Author: Karin B. Michels
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9400724942
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 450

Get Book Here

Book Description
The exploding field of epigenetics is challenging the dogma of traditional Mendelian inheritance. Epigenetics plays an important role in shaping who we are and contributes to our prospects of health and disease. While early epigenetic research focused on plant and animal models and in vitro experiments, population-based epidemiologic studies increasingly incorporate epigenetic components. The relevance of epigenetic marks, such as DNA methylation, genomic imprinting, and histone modification for disease causation has yet to be fully explored. This book covers the basic concepts of epigenetic epidemiology, discusses challenges in study design, analysis, and interpretation, epigenetic laboratory techniques, the influence of of age and environmental factors on shaping the epigenome, the role of epigenetics in the developmental origins hypothesis, and provides the state of the art on the epigenetic epidemiology of various health conditions including childhood syndromes, cancer, infectious diseases, inflammation and rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders, psychiatric disorders, diabetes, obesity and metabolic disorders, and atherosclerosis. With contributions from: Peter Jones, Jean-Pierre Issa, Gavin Kelsey, Robert Waterland, and many other experts in epigenetics!

The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology, Vol. 1

The Oxford Handbook of Developmental Psychology, Vol. 1 PDF Author: Philip David Zelazo
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199958459
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 1049

Get Book Here

Book Description
This handbook provides a comprehensive survey of what is now known about psychological development, from birth to biological maturity, and it highlights how cultural, social, cognitive, neural, and molecular processes work together to yield human behavior and changes in human behavior.

Epigenetics of Aging

Epigenetics of Aging PDF Author: Trygve O. Tollefsbol
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 1441906398
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 462

Get Book Here

Book Description
Recent studies have indicated that epigenetic processes may play a major role in both cellular and organismal aging. These epigenetic processes include not only DNA methylation and histone modifications, but also extend to many other epigenetic mediators such as the polycomb group proteins, chromosomal position effects, and noncoding RNA. The topics of this book range from fundamental changes in DNA methylation in aging to the most recent research on intervention into epigenetic modifications to modulate the aging process. The major topics of epigenetics and aging covered in this book are: 1) DNA methylation and histone modifications in aging; 2) Other epigenetic processes and aging; 3) Impact of epigenetics on aging; 4) Epigenetics of age-related diseases; 5) Epigenetic interventions and aging: and 6) Future directions in epigenetic aging research. The most studied of epigenetic processes, DNA methylation, has been associated with cellular aging and aging of organisms for many years. It is now apparent that both global and gene-specific alterations occur not only in DNA methylation during aging, but also in several histone alterations. Many epigenetic alterations can have an impact on aging processes such as stem cell aging, control of telomerase, modifications of telomeres, and epigenetic drift can impact the aging process as evident in the recent studies of aging monozygotic twins. Numerous age-related diseases are affected by epigenetic mechanisms. For example, recent studies have shown that DNA methylation is altered in Alzheimer’s disease and autoimmunity. Other prevalent diseases that have been associated with age-related epigenetic changes include cancer and diabetes. Paternal age and epigenetic changes appear to have an effect on schizophrenia and epigenetic silencing has been associated with several of the progeroid syndromes of premature aging. Moreover, the impact of dietary or drug intervention into epigenetic processes as they affect normal aging or age-related diseases is becoming increasingly feasible.

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation

Epigenetic Mechanisms of Gene Regulation PDF Author: Vincenzo E. A. Russo
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 716

Get Book Here

Book Description
Many inheritable changes in gene function are not explained by changes in the DNA sequence. Such epigenetic mechanisms are known to influence gene function in most complex organisms and include effects such as transposon function, chromosome imprinting, yeast mating type switching and telomeric silencing. In recent years, epigenetic effects have become a major focus of research activity. This monograph, edited by three well-known biologists from different specialties, is the first to review and synthesize what is known about these effects across all species, particularly from a molecular perspective, and will be of interest to everyone in the fields of molecular biology and genetics.

Human Epigenetics: How Science Works

Human Epigenetics: How Science Works PDF Author: Carsten Carlberg
Publisher: Springer Nature
ISBN: 3030229076
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 153

Get Book Here

Book Description
The view “It’s all in our genes and we cannot change it” developed in the past 150 years since Gregor Mendel’s experiments with flowering pea plants. However, there is a special form of genetics, referred to as epigenetics, which does not involve any change of our genes but regulates how and when they are used. In the cell nucleus our genes are packed into chromatin, which is a complex of histone proteins and genomic DNA, representing the molecular basis of epigenetics. Our environment and lifestyle decisions influence the epigenetics of our cells and organs, i.e. epigenetics changes dynamically throughout our whole life. Thus, we have the chance to change our epigenetics in a positive as well as negative way and present the onset of diseases, such a type 2 diabetes or cancer. This textbook provides a molecular explanation how our genome is connected with environmental signals. It outlines that epigenetic programming is a learning process that results in epigenetic memory in each of the cells of our body. The central importance of epigenetics during embryogenesis and cellular differentiation as well as in the process of aging and the risk for the development of cancer are discussed. Moreover, the role of the epigenome as a molecular storage of cellular events not only in the brain but also in metabolic organs and in the immune system is described. The book represents an updated but simplified version of our textbook “Human Epigenomics” (ISBN 978-981-10-7614-8). The first five chapters explain the molecular basis of epigenetics, while the following seven chapters provide examples for the impact of epigenetics in human health and disease.

The Developing Genome

The Developing Genome PDF Author: David Scott Moore
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
ISBN: 0199922349
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 321

Get Book Here

Book Description
An accessible introduction to behavioral epigenetics, The Developing Genome explores how experiences influence genetic activity. We develop as we do not because of the genes we have, but because of what our genes do. The Developing Genome explains this new discipline and its revolutionary implications, changing how we understand development and evolution.

Early Life Stress-Induced Epigenetic Changes Involved in Mental Disorders

Early Life Stress-Induced Epigenetic Changes Involved in Mental Disorders PDF Author: Fushun Wang
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
ISBN: 2889711536
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 138

Get Book Here

Book Description


Epigenetics Explained. How Modern Biology is Changing the Concepts of Genetics and Inheritance. How the environment can affect our genes.

Epigenetics Explained. How Modern Biology is Changing the Concepts of Genetics and Inheritance. How the environment can affect our genes. PDF Author: Frank Brown
Publisher: Youcanprint
ISBN:
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 340

Get Book Here

Book Description
You Are About To Develop A Comprehensive Understanding Of The Concept Of Epigenetics, Its Place In Modern Day Medicine, And Health Optimization And Why It Is Literally Changing How We Approach The Treatment Of Various Health Problems! Modern research has now confirmed that the behavior of your genes doesn't always depend on their DNA sequence, but also on factors referred to epigenetics, and that changes in these factors can play a critical role in disease, life structures, behavior and all aspects of life. And that's not all; research also shows that therapies based on these factors have proven effective in reversing some conditions, boosting the immune system, optimizing psychology and human adaptation. Epigenetics have thus taken the center stage in understanding human biology at a deeper level, life, and evolution. But what are epigenetics, and how to they work? How does the environment affect them, and how is this "remembered" in the body? How does epigenetic therapy work? What does it treat? Isn't it risky? What is the relationship between epigenetics and the human psychology? How can we benefit from the discovery and understanding of epigenetics? If you have these and other related questions, this 2 in 1 book is for you so keep reading. Here is a bit of what you'll learn from this 2 in 1 book: • What epigenetics are, why they're important and how they work • How epigenetics relate with our experiences • How cells divide, and how genes control the growth and division of cells • The difference between the DNA, gene and chromosomes •The existing evidence of epigenetic changes, including in transgenerational epigenetic inheritance • The ins and outs of epigenetics mechanisms • The types of epigenetic therapies available today, including their risks, benefits and research on them • The effect of epigenetic control in transcriptional regulation in pluripotency and early differentiation, DNA methylation and Demethylation, nucleosome remodeling and chromatin looping • How epigenetics work at the molecular level and the effect of DNA damage in epigenetic change • The functions of epigenetics, and how they boost mindfulness training, healthy eating and exercise • How epigenetic therapy and modifications affects diabetic retinopathy, emotional disorders, cardiac dysfunction, cancer and schizophrenia, mesothelioma and many more • How epigenetic modifications are used in understanding plant and animal evolution • How epigenetic mechanisms are used in understanding human adaptation, boosting memory formation, growth and reinforcing infant neurobehavior. • The role of epigenetic mechanisms in maternal care • The role of environmental chemicals in epigenetics • How epigenetics are involved in neurodegenerative diseases, drug formation, human development, the development of Hox genes and many more. • The role of environmental exposures in pathophysiology of IPF • Modulation of epigenetic marks by environmental exposures • How epigenetic regulation affects the immune system …And so much more! Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate in epigenetics, you will find this book educative, as you learn the A-Z of factors that are quickly changing our understanding of the structure of life. Don't wait…. Scroll up and click Buy Now with 1-Click or Buy Now to get started!