DNA Methylation News and Research

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DNA methylation is a type of chemical modification of DNA that can be inherited and subsequently removed without changing the original DNA sequence. As such, it is part of the epigenetic code and is also the most well characterized epigenetic mechanism.

Innovative platform detects diseases using a single drop of blood

An innovative platform developed by PKU researchers called "cf-EpiTracing" has proved capable of detecting and tracing diseases from as little as 50 μl of human plasma, or roughly a drop of blood.

16 Mar 2026

Scientists map epigenetic changes across aging brain cells

Neurodegenerative diseases affect more than 57 million people globally. The incidence of these diseases, from Alzheimer's to Parkinson's to ALS and beyond, is expected to double every 20 years.

11 Mar 2026

Long-read whole genome sequencing uncovers new genetic variants linked to autism

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified new genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by using long-read whole genome sequencing (LR-WGS), an emerging approach that reads large sections of the genome at once, making it easier for scientists to find new genetic variants and understand how genetic variants affect the function of a gene.

9 Mar 2026

Daily multivitamin intake linked to slower biological aging in older adults

An analysis led by Mass General Brigham investigators found slower aging in older adults after two years of a daily multivitamin, with greater benefits for those who began the trial with accelerated biological age.

9 Mar 2026

Puberty reshapes DNA to worsen or reverse insulin resistance

This study uncovers epigenetic changes during puberty that correlate with insulin resistance, offering insights into childhood obesity and metabolic risk.

3 Mar 2026

New method clarifies whether NOTCH1 variants cause congenital heart defects

One to two out of every 100 newborn babies are born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD), yet the exact cause remains unclear.

26 Feb 2026

Syndex Bio unveils mcPCR technology at AGBT 2026 following $15.5 M seed financing

Syndex Bio, a biotechnology company advancing next‑generation molecular diagnostics, today announced the introduction of its proprietary mcPCR™ (methyl‑copying PCR) platform at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) conference in Orlando, Florida.

23 Feb 2026

M-PACT sets new standard for pediatric brain tumor diagnostics, treatment monitoring

Liquid biopsies, which test body fluids that contain cancerous material, including circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), are a noninvasive way to learn about a cancer's biology.

17 Feb 2026

Study reveals DNA methylation score that better detects alcohol intake than standard biomarkers

A Mediterranean cohort study evaluated a DNA methylation biomarker of alcohol intake and compared it with conventional indicators such as GGT. The epigenomic score correlated with alcohol exposure, linked to telomere shortening and epigenetic aging markers, but findings remain observational and population-specific.

9 Feb 2026

New liquid biopsy detects early cancers through epigenetic instability

Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center have developed a novel liquid biopsy approach to identify early-stage cancers by measuring the random variation in DNA methylation patterns, rather than the absolute level of those patterns as in other liquid biopsies.

2 Feb 2026

Genetic inheritance and life experience leave distinct epigenetic marks in immune cells

The COVID-19 pandemic gave us tremendous perspective on how wildly symptoms and outcomes can vary between patients experiencing the same infection.

29 Jan 2026

Neighborhood disadvantage accelerates biological aging through emotional distress

While scientists have long known that living in a disadvantaged neighborhood is associated with biological symptoms of accelerated aging, emotional distress accounts for a significant portion of these effects, researchers found in a recent study.

29 Jan 2026

How DNA and life experiences leave distinct marks on the human immune system

Using single-cell epigenomic profiling of immune cells from 110 individuals, researchers show that genetic variation and environmental exposures shape the human immune system through distinct DNA methylation mechanisms. Genetic effects concentrate within gene bodies of memory cells, while environmental exposures primarily remodel regulatory regions in naive immune cells.

28 Jan 2026

Blood-based epigenetic signatures enable early risk assessment in prediabetes

Prediabetes is an extremely heterogeneous metabolic disorder. Scientists from several partner institutes of the German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD) have now used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify epigenetic markers that indicate an elevated risk of complications.

24 Jan 2026

COVID-19 severity is linked to changes in mitochondrial DNA methylation

This study examined mitochondrial and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial DNA methylation in Indian patients with severe COVID-19 and found region-specific differential methylation linked to disease severity. Pathway analyses and protein assays implicated disrupted mitochondrial metabolism and dynamics, suggesting a role for mitochondrial epigenetic regulation in COVID-19 pathophysiology.

20 Jan 2026

Age-related sperm changes at imprint regions linked to autism risk

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 12 of Aging-US on December 29, 2025, titled "Age-specific DNA methylation alterations in sperm at imprint control regions may contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring."

16 Jan 2026

Epigenetic clocks accurately predict age from human skeletal muscle

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 11 of Aging-US on November 26, 2025, titled "Epigenetic aging signatures and age prediction in human skeletal muscle."

30 Dec 2025

Blocking platelet-activating factor reduces liver damage in cirrhosis

Researchers from Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) in Spain have identified an effective strategy to reduce structural liver damage and improve hepatic vascular function in cirrhosis.

19 Dec 2025

AI analysis of chest X-rays may reveal early signs of aging

Artificial intelligence may be able to reveal how fast your body is aging by analyzing a chest X-ray, according to a new study published in The Journals of Gerontology. Researchers found that a deep learning model was able to detect subtle, age-related changes in the heart, lungs, and overall health more effectively than leading DNA-based "epigenetic clocks."

17 Dec 2025

Urine-based microRNA clock predicts biological aging without a blood test

Researchers developed and validated a non-invasive urinary microRNA aging clock using extracellular vesicle miRNAs from more than 6,000 adults. The model predicts age with about 4 to 5 years error and links accelerated aging signals to type 2 diabetes.

16 Dec 2025