Homo sapiens Epigenomics

Later-life chronic diseases may have an early-life origin. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated associations between birth characteristics, especially low birth weight (LBW), and many later-life health risks. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. We performed a study over monozygotic dichorionic twins to identify birth weight-associated differential methylations, and, assessed the connection between birth weight-associated DNA methylation pattern and chronic disease risks.