The influence of early nutrition and growth on ageing processes and the role of DNA methylation in mediating this will be explored by integrating transcriptomic and epigenomic profiling of a rodent model and two human cohorts. Information arising from these analyses will be replicated in several human cohorts of different age strata inclduing ALPSAC.

As outlined above, quantitative DNA methylation analysis will be undertaken on one or more platforms. DNA quantity and volme will therefore need to be stipulated when the platform is confirmed but will be in line with requirements already familiar to the ALSPAC lab team as the platforms are those used for MRC CAiTE pilot epigenetics work. Assays will be multiplxed where possible and DNA used for multiple assays from the same bisulphite conversion where ever possible.

The possible range of phenotypic data required is outlined above and will be specified once the discovery phase of the proposed project has been completed and any associations between DNA methylation and phenotypic traits have been confirmed in the discovery cohorts.

Exposure data requested will include birth weight, growth during infancy (conditional weight; birth to 3 months, 6 months and 12 months) .

Data requested may include existing DNA methylation information held by ALSPAC at the time the project comes online, including that generated by CAiTE epigenetics pilot work or proposed human methylation 27K array analysis.