What makes clocks tick? Mapping determinants of epigenetic age acceleration in early life
Dr. Cecil studies what makes epigenetic clocks 'tick' in early life. Epigenetic processes, such as DNA methylation, influence gene activity in response to both genetic and environmental influences, and are strongly linked to age. So much so, in fact, that epigenetic 'clocks' have been developed that can accurately predict a person's age. Importantly, being epigenetically 'older' than one’s chronological age in adulthood is a robust risk factor for many age-related diseases and premature mortality. Intriguingly, research from Dr. Cecil’s group has found that these epigenetic clocks already show substantial differences between individuals in early life, sometimes even from birth, raising the possibility that longevity differences apparent in old age may already be influenced by factors occurring at a young age. In this project Dr. Cecil will use data from large, longitudinal birth cohorts to shed light on the early determinants and health outcomes of epigenetic age acceleration during development.
