Epigenetic differences between human twins at birth highlight importance of intrauterine environment

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Differences Between Human Twins at Birth Highlight Importance of

Intrauterine Environment

ScienceDaily (July 15, 2012) --- Your genes determine much about you,

but environment can have a strong influence on your genes even before

birth, with consequences that can last a lifetime. In a study published

online in Genome Research, researchers have for the first time shown

that the environment experienced in the womb defines the newborn

epigenetic profile, the chemical modifications to DNA we are born with,

that could have implications for disease risk later in life....

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/07/120715193843.htm

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Gordon L, Joo JE, JE, Ollikainen M, Novakovic B, Li X, Andronikos

R, Cruickshank MN, Conneely KN, AK, Alisch RS, Morley R, Visscher

PM, Craig JM, Saffery R. *

Neonatal DNA methylation profile in human twins is specified by a

complex interplay between intrauterine environmental and genetic

factors, subject to tissue-specific influence*.

/Genome Res/, July 16, 2012

DOI: 10.1101/gr.136598.111 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1101/gr.136598.111>