These modifications are part of normal development and tissue differentiation, and can be altered in response to environmental exposures or disease. Since environment contributes to phenotype in part through epigenetics, epigenetic marks can act as indicators of environmental effects. Moreover, epigenetic marks reactive to environment may serve as disease biomarkers or intervention targets.
Our goal is to assess the contribution of genome and epigenome to obesity and other complex diseases and traits using twin study designs and population-based cohorts.