The “Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP)” study, funded by the Medical Research Council, will produce genomic datasets within underrepresented populations. DEEP will create software, infrastructure, and conduct advanced statistical analyses to generate new resources. These resources will complement international health and genetics databases, examining trends in DNA methylation, a process where chemical groups attach to DNA to regulate gene activity.
DNA methylation levels vary from person to person, influenced by both genetics and environmental factors. Differences in DNA methylation patterns play a crucial role in various health and disease metrics. By analyzing DNA methylation data and health-related data from individuals worldwide, the DEEP study aims to identify the causes and mechanisms behind these health outcomes.
There is substantial variation in disease onset and symptoms across different global regions. Much of the population health research has been based on data from people of white European descent, resulting in underrepresentation of many global communities in health studies. This underrepresentation can lead to overlooking the significant effects of genetic and environmental diversity on health within those communities, such as the extensive genetic diversity in Africa.
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Dr. Hannah Elliott, Research Fellow in Epidemiology in the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit at the University of Bristol, and joint project lead, stressed the importance of equitable collaboration with partners worldwide to ensure results are effectively shared with local communities who have contributed their DNA.
The DEEP study researchers seek to address this gap by studying individuals from diverse genetic and environmental contexts to determine which DNA methylation patterns contribute to disease risk in each context.
This research will facilitate the identification of common global disease-causing mechanisms and those unique to specific groups or regions. It will help answer questions about the effectiveness of medicines developed in one part of the world for all. Ultimately, the DEEP study aims to enable targeted interventions or treatments and reduce global health disparities and inequities.
Dr. Giriraj Chandak, Sir J C Bose Fellow at the CSIR Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, India, and co-investigator, expressed enthusiasm for the study’s collaborative nature and its potential to uncover gene-gene and gene-environment interactions associated with non-communicable diseases.
Dr. Prachand Issarapu, Research Fellow in Bioinformatics at the MRC Unit The Gambia at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and The Gambia, and co-investigator, underlined the importance of understanding disease pathways that resonate across populations for crafting universally effective medicine.
The project will initially focus on early-life health, of particular interest to partners in Africa, and cardiovascular health, an important area for partners in India. The project welcomes additional partners who have collected DNA methylation and genetic data.
Source: Medindia
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