Launch of epigenomic age analysis service using DNA methylation microarray and Japanese references
*View in browser* *Epicronos Co., Ltd.*
Press release: May 30, 2024
*Healthcare business personnel, *
Launch of epigenomic age analysis service using DNA methylation microarray and Japanese references
*Biological age assessment service that revolutionizes the healthy life expectancy of Japanese people*
* Minato-ku, Tokyo, May 30, 2024 –
Epicronos Co., Ltd. (President: Atsushi Shimizu) will begin providing a new service for epigenomic age measurement based on DNA methylation microarrays in October 2024. This new service enables accurate estimation of biological aging suitable for Japanese people, and aims to contribute to extending healthy life expectancy and assessing disease risk. *
Shimizu, our company’s representative and a leading expert in the field of bioinformatics in Japan, has been leading epigenome research for over 10 years, and in March 2024 announced the development of an epigenome specialized for Japanese people based on healthy life expectancy. We have obtained a patent (Patent No. 7442221) for “Age Measuring Method”.
The new service that we are providing is a method for evaluating aging that uses multiple foreign epigenomic age measurement methods (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, GrimAge, etc.) based on DNA methylation microarrays. By adjusting the system to suit the individual, it is possible to more accurately and multifacetly evaluate an individual’s health status and aging process. This approach allows our users to develop strategies for better health based on their biological age and age acceleration status.
These epigenomic age measurement methods that utilize epigenetic changes have a wide range of applications, including extending healthy lifespan, assessing disease risk, and studying the aging process. Each technique is specialized for a particular lifestyle, clinical parameter, or research area, allowing you to select the most appropriate technique depending on the tissue and condition used.
Through this advanced service, we hope to make a significant contribution to individual health management and disease prevention. We will continue to advance our research and expand the possibilities of epigenome science.
* [Details of new service] *
figure. Image of Japanese epigenomic age calculation results This diagram illustrates the epigenomic ages of Japanese and Western people calculated based on various models published in papers. Depending on the model, it has been revealed that Japanese people exhibit a younger or older epigenome age than Westerners. In other words, comparing the epigenome age of Japanese users with commonly used public data for Westerners will lead to overestimation or underestimation. In order to accurately evaluate aging, it is necessary to compare it with the aging pattern of the Japanese population, but by calculating the epigenome age of approximately 160 Japanese people using various models, we are able to accurately evaluate the epigenome age of Japanese people. made possible.
* [Major epigenomic age measurement methods outside of Japan] *Developer (honorific title omitted) or method name*
* Horvath *
We analyze 353 CpG sites using a method based on DNA methylation patterns common to cells throughout the body. This allows it to have broad applicability to various tissue types and to be used as a universal indicator of biological age.
* Hannum *
Based on a blood sample, it specifically predicts the biological age of blood by analyzing 141 CpG sites. Compared to Horvath’s method, it uses a blood-specific approach.
*PhenoAge*
Analyze over 500 CpG sites using a method that combines clinical parameters and DNA methylation data. It is strongly associated with disease risk and longevity, and is of particular interest in the fields of aging research and public health.
*GrimAge*
It was developed based on specific lifestyle and clinical
characteristics, such as smoking history and blood lipid levels. It is known to have a strong relationship with longevity and healthy life expectancy.
* Cerebellum Clock *
It was specifically developed to estimate the epigenomic age of the cerebellum and analyzes DNA methylation patterns specific to the cerebellum. It is particularly useful for research in neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases.
*DunedinPACE*
Developed to measure epigenomic age acceleration and assess its association with health problems and accelerated aging processes. It plays an important role in research on long-term health conditions and the aging process.
The epigenomic age measurement service announced this time as a contribution to extending healthy life expectancy and disease prevention is the culmination of many years of research at Iwate Medical University and the expertise of members including Shimizu. This service is a powerful tool to better understand an individual’s health and lifestyle, at a time when it is increasingly important to know biological age rather than chronological age.
Specifically, it is characterized by the ability to use a wide variety of epigenomic age measurement methods at once, from Horvath’s method to DunedinPACE’s method. This allows users to obtain more
comprehensive and detailed information about their health status and the aging process. In addition, by using an epigenomic age measurement method tailored for Japanese people, we can more accurately understand the effects of Japan’s unique environment and lifestyle on health.
Through this new epigenomic age measurement service, Epicronos aims to help people better manage their health and live longer and healthier lives. Furthermore, we hope that this service will bring new knowledge in the fields of aging research and public health, and that it will be useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases in the future. We are committed to further expanding sexuality and contributing to people’s health and happiness.
* ⚫︎About Epicronos Co., Ltd.*
Epicronos Co., Ltd. is a university-originated venture company founded based on Iwate Medical University’s cutting-edge biological
information analysis technology. At the forefront of aging research and health science, we are developing innovative biological age calculation methods and early disease detection technologies that utilize DNA methylation. We provide products and services based on scientific evidence, with the aim of extending people’s healthy lifespans and contributing to the early detection and prevention of diseases.
* ⚫︎What is DNA methylation*
Among the bases A (adenine), C (cytosine), G (guanine), and T (thymine) that make up DNA, mainly C at the site where C and G are lined up (CpG)
This refers to the addition of a methyl group (-CH3) to the molecule. Involved in determining cell types during development and controlling gene expression.
It changes over time due to lifestyle habits and exposure to environmental chemicals.
* ⚫︎What is DNA methylation microarray*
DNA microarray is a technology that utilizes the fact that DNA is double stranded. There are sections on the glass, and hundreds to millions of types of single-stranded DNA (probes) are immobilized on each section, strictly aligned. The immobilized DNA pairs with complementary DNA fragments, so it can be used to detect RNA and DNA in solutions. DNA methylation microarray is a method that uses this technology to measure the DNA methylation rate in a sample.
First, a reagent called bisulfite is used to convert unmethylated cytosine (C) in the DNA contained in the sample into uracil (U). At this time, the methylated cytosine (C) remains unchanged. Next, inject the bisulfite-treated specimen into the DNA methylation microarray. In the DNA methylation microarray, the DNA contained in the sample becomes double stranded with the DNA immobilized on the glass. The target cytosine (C) is then treated with a base labeled with a fluorescent dye to determine whether it has been converted to uracil (U) or remains as cytosine (C). By measuring the fluorescence on the glass with a scanner and observing the difference in the color of the probe, the DNA methylation rate at the target location can be calculated.
* ⚫︎What is DNA methylation age estimation method? * DNA methylation status continues to change throughout life depending on lifestyle habits and environmental exposure. Also, DNA
Because changes in methylation status can accumulate over time, DNA methylation status reflects changes over time after birth, that is, age. Focusing on this feature, DNA
Methods have been developed to estimate an individual’s age (DNA methylation age or epigenomic age) from methylation status.
conventional DNA
The methylation age estimation method was developed based on data from European and American people, but at Iwate Medical University, we used DNA collected from the TMM regional population cohort study. Based on methylation information, we have developed a DNA methylation age estimation method specifically for Japanese people. DNA
Methylation age is correlated with chronological age, but it may be higher or lower than chronological age for each individual. this DNA Deviations in methylation age from chronological age have been shown to reflect aging and health conditions, and are beginning to be used as health indicators.
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