Washington State University researchers have received nearly $3 million from the Templeton Foundation to see if they can anticipate and prevent diseases by looking for epigenetic biomarkers/diagnostics for disease.
Skinner in his laboratory at WSU. (Photo by WSU Photo Services)
Their approach would be a departure from “reactionary medicine,” which treats diseases after they develop, as well as from diagnoses based on an individual’s genetic profile.
WSU biologist Michael Skinner is the principle investigator on the grant and a leader in the field of epigenetics, which focuses on the molecular factors that regulate genome activity. Skinner has repeatedly identified circumstances in which environmental factors have induced epigenetic activity, affecting health generations after an individual is exposed.
Skinner will focus on developing epigenetic biomarkers that might be used to detect one’s susceptibility to disease. The work will in effect be a proof of concept for the technique, which he will first use on autism, the male urethra disorder known as hypospadias, premature birth and congenital heart disease. Lawrence Holder, a professor in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and co-Investigator, will collaborate with Skinner, using machine learning to help develop predictive epigenetic biomarkers.
This news was originally posted by Eric Sorensen, WSU News on October 30, 2018
https://news.wsu.edu/2018/10/30/3m-templeton-foundation-grant-focuses-epigenetic-biomarkers/
Michael Skinner Ph.D., Biochemistry, Washington State University
https://sbs.wsu.edu/michael-skinner/
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