Project description
Uncovering hidden dynamics in human health
In the intricate tapestry of human health, the exposome encapsulates the myriad determinants encountered throughout life, inducing critical epigenetic modifications like DNA methylation. Past studies exploring repetitive element (RE) methylation presumed its universally detrimental impact on the well-being of individuals. In this context, the ERC-funded MAMELI project shatters this paradigm, positing that certain REs might be adaptive, responding physiologically to environmental cues. Based in Legnano, Italy, MAMELI ambitiously enrols more than 6 000 subjects in a multifaceted exploration, aiming to decode the dynamic relationship between the exposome and RE methylation. This endeavour promises a transformative leap in understanding individual susceptibility to environmental influences, paving the way for targeted preventive strategies.
Objective
The concept of exposome encompasses all human disease determinants encountered during the life course. The exposome induces epigenetic modifications (e.g. DNA methylation). Several studies have investigated how repetitive elements (REs) can be switched on in response to environmental stimuli, but have started from the assumption that altered RE methylation is always detrimental to the health of the affected individual. MAMELI proposes an alternative hypothesis that some REs are plastic entities that respond physiologically to the environment; consequently, the ability of DNA to adapt to environmental triggers can be monitored.
To test this hypothesis, the MAMELI project will enroll 6200 subjects in the city of Legnano (Italy). The first-level (discovery) will apply third-generation sequencing methylation assessment on 200 subjects at two-time points: T0 (baseline) and T1 (6 months after T0). The discovery level will allow me to define a pool of REs (differential REs) whose methylation can change without impacting genome stability. The second level (tuning) will be conducted on 2700 subjects (200 subjects of the discovery level + 2500 additional subjects) and will allow me to develop an algorithm (MAMELI algorithm) to predict the relationship between exposome and RE methylation status (RE methylation signature). In the third level (validation), I will apply the MAMELI algorithm on the second set of the study cohort (n=3500) to calculate the difference between the measured RE methylation signature and the values predicted by the algorithm. In addition, to test the reversibility of RE methylation following lifestyle modifications and its preventive potential, I will design an intervention study embedded in the cohort.
MAMELI would represent a breakthrough in the understanding of individual susceptibility to environmental pressures, enabling the development of preventive strategies to avoid disease.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques.
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Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC GrantsHost institution
20122 Milano
Italy