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DIVERSE EPIGENETIC EPIDEMIOLOGY PARTNERSHIP (DEEP)

14th October, 2023

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Picture Courtesy: www.deep-epigenetics.org

Context: Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP) collaborates with global research groups to study Non-Communicable Diseases genetics in diverse populations worldwide.

About the DEEP Project

  • The project involves collaboration with researchers from various disciplines and regions to investigate the effects of genomic and environmental diversity on disease risk.
  • It aims to explore the interplay of genetics and the environment in relation to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and their associated traits.
    • NCDs like diabetes, cardiovascular, and mental disorders are rising globally, showing varied onset and symptoms across populations, including India and South Asia.
  • It will involve approximately 13,000 participants from diverse genetic and environmental contexts, including individuals from India. The project has received a grant of ₹25 crore from the Medical Research Council, UK.
  • Much of the population health research has historically been based on data collected from people of white European origins, leading to the underrepresentation of many global communities in health studies.
    • Genetic databases for genomic research need to include diverse populations to gain a better understanding of the factors contributing to differences in gene regulation and disease risk.
  • The research reveals that micronutrients like vitamin B12 and folates impact disease risk through epigenetic regulation, specifically DNA methylation, shaping the body's response to environmental cues and influencing health outcomes.
  • The research aims to uncover global and region-specific disease mechanisms, assess cross-population medicine effectiveness, and enable targeted interventions, striving to diminish global health disparities and inequities.

Conclusion

  • Diverse Epigenetic Epidemiology Partnership (DEEP) will contribute to a better understanding of the genetic and environmental factors that underlie the prevalence and variability of NCDs in different populations, and it has the potential to improve global health outcomes.

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. What are the key risk factors associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and how can targeted interventions effectively mitigate the prevalence and impact of these diseases on a global scale?