B4210 - Cross-ancestry Epigenome Wide Association study EWAS of objectively measured physical activity in pregnancy - 14/12/2022
B number:
B4210
Principal applicant name:
Nancy McBride | MRC IEU (United Kingdom)
Co-applicants:
Dr Paul Yousefi, Professor Deborah Lawlor, Dr Christine Sommer, Nicolas Fragoso Bargas
Title of project:
Cross-ancestry Epigenome Wide Association study (EWAS) of objectively measured physical activity in pregnancy
Proposal summary:
Physical activity (PA) during pregnancy reduces the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and excessive weight gain. DNA methylation (DNAm) - changes to DNA sequence but not the structure - is a potential molecular mechanism through which physical activity (PA) mediates the effects on the transcriptome. Original discovery analyses were run in a cohort from Norway (EPIPREG) and we want to replicate their findings to see if these CpG sites are associated with PA.
Impact of research:
If we can replicate these findings, it may help understand more about DNA methylation (DNAm) as a potential molecular mechanism through which physical activity (PA) mediates the effects on the transcriptome. Whilst we can only look in ALSPAC adolescents and not pregnant women [because we don't have accelerometer data], these still have implications.
Date proposal received:
Tuesday, 6 December, 2022
Date proposal approved:
Thursday, 8 December, 2022
Keywords:
Epidemiology, Obesity, Statistical methods, Biological samples -e.g. blood, cell lines, saliva, etc.