An Epigenome wide association study of inflammatory markers in early life

Inflammation plays a key role in the immune defence against infections and is regulated by a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. In addition to a protective role, chronic inflammation in early life has also been linked to a range of later health outcomes. Epigenetic variation exists at the interface between genes and environment and is implicated in mediating the effects of early life exposures on later health. This project aims to understand the link between early life inflammation (prior to birth and in childhood) and epigenetic (DNA methylation) profile in blood at birth.