Environmental and epigenetic programming
Epigenetics involves multiple processes such as DNA methylation, chromatin modifications, and noncoding RNAs to regulate gene expression. Epigenetic mechanisms are both important in brain developmental processes and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
A major area of our work is the role of epigenetics in programming responses to early-life environments such as stress and diet. Studying human cohorts and using animal models, we investigate the epigenetic regulation of stress and immune-related factors following prenatal and postnatal environments.
Alterations in the immune system and increased inflammation are factors in the aetiology of many psychiatric diseases including neurodevelopmental and stress-related disorders. Stress can further have a negative impact on the immune system, making individuals more vulnerable to infections and diseases.
We investigate links between inflammatory factors and mental health, exploring the epigenetic and genetic regulation of immune factors in response to stress and in psychiatric diseases.