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Capturing epigenetic variation in the brain using blood

Safe People

Organisation name

University of Bristol

Organisation sector

Academic Institute

Applicant name(s)

Matthew SudermanDr Paul YousefiAlec McKinlay

Safe Projects

Project ID

B3907

Lay summary

DNA methylation (DNAm) in neurological tissue is often difficult or impossible to use for observational studies, as sample collection must usually occur post-mortem. Studies interested in DNAm changes in brain related to disease outcomes or exposures commonly rely on DNAm measured in less invasive surrogate tissue, like blood, which typically have poorly characterised relationships with the target tissue DNAm levels of interest.

Public benefit statement

This is a pilot investigation to determine if we should seek funds to generate a larger and more refined DNA methylation dataset of matching brain and blood samples. Such a dataset would increase our ability to explain epigenetic variation in brain from blood samples.

Latest approval date

25/10/2021