All articles tagged with #epigenetics
Scientists have sequenced the genome and epigenome of Jonathan, the 194-year-old giant tortoise on Saint Helena, finding that his mitochondrial genes remain genetically youthful. This research, published in Science Advances, suggests that stable epigenetic patterns may help explain his extreme longevity and could inform future human anti-aging therapies.
Researchers have analyzed the DNA and epigenome of Jonathan, the 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, finding 287 unique gene variants that suppress aging. A key discovery is that chemical tags regulating his mitochondria remain as orderly as those in young tortoises, suggesting a feedback loop that maintains cellular energy production and DNA repair. Published in Science Advances, the study offers insights into extreme longevity, though experts note the findings require further validation to confirm causality.
Researchers analyzing the DNA of Jonathan, the 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, found that chemical tags on his genes related to mitochondrial function remain as stable as those in young animals. This stability in energy-producing structures may explain his exceptional lifespan, offering new insights into human aging.
New preclinical research suggests that obesity leaves a lasting epigenetic 'memory' in fat cells, keeping the hunger hormone asprosin elevated even after weight loss. This mechanism may explain why patients regain weight after stopping GLP-1 medications and why offspring of mothers with obesity face higher susceptibility. While the findings are based on mouse models, they identify a potential therapeutic target for preventing weight rebound.
New research suggests that fat cells retain an epigenetic 'memory' of obesity, keeping hunger hormones elevated even after weight loss. This biological mechanism may explain why patients regain weight quickly after stopping GLP-1 medications, highlighting the need for long-term metabolic management rather than short-term fixes.
A new preprint study led by Jesse Poganik of Harvard Medical School suggests that transplanted hearts adopt the biological age of their new recipients rather than retaining the donor’s age. In mouse models and human biopsy data, older hearts placed in younger bodies showed signs of rejuvenation, while younger hearts in older bodies aged faster. This finding challenges current donor age limits and could expand the pool of available organs for transplant patients.
A preprint study from Harvard Medical School indicates that transplanted hearts biologically age or de-age to match their recipients, not their donors. This finding suggests that older donor hearts may be viable for younger patients, potentially expanding the organ pool.
A Canadian longitudinal study of 501 families found that mothers' unresolved childhood trauma significantly impacts their children's adult outcomes. The research indicates that maternal trauma correlates with lower socioeconomic status and reduced emotional attunement, which in turn predicts higher rates of anxiety, depression, rule-breaking behavior, and academic difficulties in their offspring. The findings support the 'interactionist model' of development, suggesting trauma creates a cascade of risk affecting family dynamics and child development.
A new preprint study indicates that transplanted hearts rapidly adjust their biological age to match the recipient’s body, rather than retaining the donor’s age. This suggests that older donor hearts may be viable for younger recipients, potentially expanding the organ donor pool. The findings, based on mouse models and human biopsy data, show that the host’s systemic environment dictates the organ’s epigenetic aging markers, challenging current guidelines that prioritize younger donors.
A Yale University study published in Nature Medicine analyzes 51 human trials to determine which interventions actually lower biological age. The research confirms that lifestyle changes and specific prescription drugs, notably metformin and semaglutide, significantly reduce epigenetic age markers. In contrast, over-the-counter supplements and certain medical procedures showed minimal impact. While these biomarker shifts suggest a slowing of biological aging, researchers caution that a younger clock reading does not yet guarantee longer life or reduced disease risk.
A four-week trial at the University of Sydney found that shifting to an omnivorous, high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet reduced biological age in adults aged 65–75. This aligns with a larger German study showing that various healthy dietary patterns, rather than a single 'perfect' diet, are linked to slower aging through shared biological pathways.
A large German study finds that ten different healthy dietary patterns, including Mediterranean, Nordic, and plant-based diets, are all associated with slower biological aging. The research suggests that overall diet quality matters more than adhering to one specific 'perfect' diet, as these patterns share over 70% of the biological pathways that influence aging.
A new epigenetic therapy, CRMA-1001, has shown promise in silencing the hepatitis B virus (HBV) by adding chemical tags to viral DNA rather than cutting it. Developed by nChroma Bio and Italian researchers, the treatment targets both free-floating and integrated HBV DNA in the liver. Preclinical tests in human cells, mice, and monkeys yielded strong results with minimal side effects. A clinical trial has now begun in Hong Kong and New Zealand, with the first patient treated in January 2026. This approach aims to offer a potential cure for the 250 million people globally affected by chronic HBV, avoiding the cancer risks associated with traditional gene-editing methods.
Researchers identified ZMYND8 as a key epigenetic factor that drives CD8+ T cell exhaustion by suppressing IL-2 receptor signaling. Blocking ZMYND8 restores T cell function and enhances anti-tumor and anti-viral responses, particularly when combined with IL-2 therapy or checkpoint inhibitors.
Nearly half of the human genome consists of transposons, mobile DNA sequences often dismissed as junk or viral parasites. However, recent research indicates these elements are crucial partners in evolution. They drive rapid adaptation, such as the color change in peppered moths, and may have facilitated the development of complex traits like the placenta and immune system. Furthermore, the need to suppress transposons likely led to the evolution of epigenetic controls that regulate gene expression across the entire genome.