DNA methylation age is a biological aging estimate that may help to track and understand human aging. These aging estimates are produced using “Epigenetic clocks”, machine learning algorithms developed to predict biological aging pace. The AGE-X study examines how genetic and environmental factors counteract DNA methylation age. We will study whether different environmental factors such as physical activity and exercise slow down or accelerate DNA methylation age. In addition, measurements of DNA methylation age from blood and muscle tissue combined with comprehensive phenotypic measures from the same individuals will be used to address if accelerated tissue-specific DNA methylation age is associated with faster decline in physical functioning. Finally, we aim to investigate if DNA methylation age can predict susceptibility to adverse aging effects and mortality.
We utilize DNA methylation and phenotype data generated by the Finnish twin cohort. Our analysis will be built in longitudinal twin models that can provide evidence for the causality of environmental influences. The strength of these models is that we can estimate phenotypic differences that are solely due to environment, and are not confounded by genetic variation, as models include also monozygotic twins, who share the same genome.
The knowledge produced by this study will help understanding of the mechanisms of biological aging and the biological mechanisms underlying the development of age-related functional limitations and diseases. The project will provide information that has a huge potential for screening purposes, personalized medicine and therapeutic innovations that aim to increase healthy years in life.
Best research paper in sports medicine competition organized by Finnish society of sport sciences 2023, Anna Kankaanpää: The associations of long-term physical activity in adulthood with later biological ageing and all-cause mortality – a prospective twin study.
3rdaward in Best research paper in sports medicine competition organized by Finnish society of sport sciences 2023, Tiina Föhr: Metabolic syndrome and epigenetic aging.
3rd award in Best research paper in sports medicine competition organized by Finnish society of sport sciences 2020, Anna Kankaanpää: May epigenetic clocks reveal explanations to sex differences in biological aging?
Best research paper in sports medicine competition organized by Finnish society of sport sciences 2019, Anna Kankaanpää: Leisure-time and occupational physical activity associates differently with epigenetic aging.
2nd award in Best research paper in sports medicine competition organized by Finnish society of sport sciences 2017, Elina Sillanpää: DNA methylation age do not differ in leisure-time physical activity discordant twin pairs.
Aapo Pollari Epigeneettisen iän yhteys sarkopeniaa määrittäviin tekijöihin 2023
Hannamari Lankila Epigeneettisen ikääntymisen yhteys liikkumiskykyyn 2021
Riikka Sanchez Epigeneettisen ikääntymisnopeuden yhteys kuolleisuuteen 2021
Susanna Mårtensson Ravitsemuksen yhteys epigeneettiseen ikääntymisnopeuteen 2020
Marjo Piispa Tupakoinnin yhteys epigeneettiseen ikääntymiseen varhaisaikuisuudessa 2020
Pirkko Saikkonen Sukupuolen ja elintapojen yhteys epigeneettiseen ikääntymiseen2020
Aini Paavilainen Vapaa-ajan fyysisen aktiivisuuden yhteys koko kehon ja luustolihasten biologiseen ikään keski-ikäisillä naisilla 2019 *Award for best Master’s thesis in Gerontology and Public Health, JYU.
