How early life toxicant exposures affect health through epigenetic changes
Environmental Epigenomics and Precision Environmental Health
This study is looking at how being exposed to harmful substances early in life can affect health later on by changing how our genes work, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how things like metals and chemicals might impact our bodies over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11078208 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how exposure to toxic substances during early life can lead to long-term health issues by altering the epigenome, which is the set of chemical modifications on DNA that regulate gene expression. By using advanced mouse models and human birth cohort samples, the study aims to explore the specific effects of various toxicants, such as metals and endocrine disruptors, on different tissues and cell types. The researchers will analyze changes in DNA methylation, non-coding RNA, and gene expression to identify unique epigenomic signatures associated with these exposures. This comprehensive approach seeks to enhance our understanding of how environmental factors contribute to disease susceptibility over time.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have been exposed to environmental toxicants during pregnancy or early childhood.
Not a fit: Patients who have not been exposed to any toxicants or those with unrelated health conditions may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing health issues linked to early life toxicant exposures.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding the impact of environmental exposures on health through epigenetic mechanisms, indicating that this approach has potential for significant findings.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dolinoy, Dana — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Dolinoy, Dana
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.