CpGT and MethylGPT – Large AI Models Lay the Foundation for Advanced DNA Methylation AnalysisNovember 27, 2024Vast amounts of DNA methylation data have paved the way for epigenetic clocks to significantly advance aging research; however, generative artificial intelligence (AI) may have now laid the foundation for more transformative insights into DNA methylation. Two preprints report the application of transformer architecture to develop “foundation” or large AI models trained on vast DNA […]
DNA Methylation and Chromatin Map of the Developing Brain Revealed with Single-Cell MultiomicsNovember 22, 2024Maps can tell you where to go and what landmarks you’ll find along the way. In the same way, a new multiomic map describes how DNA methylation and 3D chromatin conformation changes in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus as the human brain develops. The map could help researchers determine the heritability of neuropsychiatric conditions, such […]
“Epi-bit” Encoded Images of Tigers and Pandas Reveal the Epigenetic Future of DNA-based Memory StorageNovember 10, 2024A memorable musical number from Cats muses on the loss of “Memory;” however, an unforgettable new feline-related study now describes the encoding of images of tigers (and pandas!) using printed epigenetic bits (“epi-bits”) on DNA as a novel storage approach for our data and dearest recollections. Can epi-bits make any memory loss a thing of […]
Psychosis Moderates the Association Between Cannabis Use and DNA MethylationOctober 28, 2024Analyzing the DNA methylation alterations induced by cannabis use has provided a wealth of evidence of potential harms, with recent studies focusing on neurodevelopmental problems after prenatal exposure, increased risk of adverse health outcomes, and accelerated epigenetic aging. Now, a study reports the first epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) exploring the interplay between cannabis use, DNA […]
Children Prenatally Exposed to Cannabis Have Altered DNA MethylationOctober 7, 2024As more states legalize and decriminalize cannabis, more questions are being raised about its effects, especially on pregnancy. Now, a clear-thinking team sees through the haze and shows that maternal cannabis use during pregnancy is associated with epigenome-wide differential DNA methylation in the blood of exposed children, especially in genes involved in neurodevelopment. Studies have shown […]
Epigenetic Two-factor Authentication Secures Male Fertility from the Insider Threat of TransposonsOctober 7, 2024Two-factor authentication represents a modern approach to securing our digital lives from outside threats; however, research now suggests that this concept may not be so modern. A new study now reveals that male germ cells employ a piRNA-mediated epigenetic “two-factor authentication” strategy to secure the precisely timed DNA methylation-induced silencing of insider threats that impact […]
Metformin Keeps Aging Primate Epigenomes “In Form”September 30, 2024Those of us feeling the all too familiar effects of time may look to cut back on certain “excesses” and keep fit (in both body and mind) to maintain a healthy aging process. Now, a team of fitness enthusiasts has revealed that long-term treatment with the diabetes drug metformin maintains an aging population of monkeys […]
scEpiAge Brings Single-cell Resolution to Epigenetic Clock HeterogeneitySeptember 23, 2024DNA methylation-based epigenetic clock construction has generally relied on bulk datasets representing findings from thousands or millions of cells, and now, a new single-cell epigenetic clock age predictor known as scEpiAge may help to resolve the impact of heterogeneity. Can improved resolution offer more profound insight into the aging process? A team led by Marc […]
Genome-Wide DNA Methylation Changes from Vaping and Smoking Have Striking SimilaritiesSeptember 3, 2024Vaping has been touted as a safer alternative to smoking, but some recent studies are showing that the biological effects have similarities. Now, a team clears the air and reports that DNA methylation changes in vapers’ oral cells resemble those found in smokers, which suggests that vaping could have comparable long-term health effects. Smoke gets in […]
Keeping up With Epigenetic Clocks: PRC2-AgeIndex Measures Gains of DNA Methylation Across the GenomeAugust 6, 2024While it may seem like it’s harder to keep up with epigenetic clocks than with the Kardashians, this is one you’re not going to want to miss. Many epigenetic clocks people use to assess aging are built on the DNA methylation status of a few CpGs, and it’s unclear how these sites are related to […]
