MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) Seminar series

Title: Repeated measures of genome-wide DNA methylation as early detection markers and mediators for lung cancer, affected by lifestyle factors. 

Abstract: In this presentation, I will first briefly introduce the HUNT Study (longitudinal population health study in Norway). Secondly, I will present the latest results of our research using HUNT data, in which we applied both conventional methods and Mendelian randomization analysis, such as studies about vitamin D status in relation to mortality and lung cancer. Finally, I will discuss our ongoing epigenetic project of lung cancer (summary as below).

Early detection has vital importance for survival of patients who develop lung cancer. We will investigate whether repeated measures in genome-wide DNA methylation can be used as early detection markers for lung cancer onset. We will also explore whether lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity and vitamin D deficiency influence DNA methylation over time, and whether DNA methylation mediates the influence of lifestyle factors on lung cancer overall and different histologic types. 

Biography: I completed PhD in Medicine at Linköping University, Sweden in 2004. I had worked in the field of molecular microbiology for some years. From 2016 I started to work with the Norwegian HUNT data, investigating potential effects of lifestyle factors including vitamin D status on adverse outcomes. Vitamin D research using the HUNT population was initiated by Dr. Xiao-Mei Mai. The team has published a number of papers on vitamin D in relation to obesity, asthma/allergy and lung function. The previous work has mainly been observational studies. 

All welcome