DNA methylation in type 2 diabetes and metabolic health

Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease caused by a complex interplay of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism with the ability to alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence. In this thesis, I examined the role of DNA methylation in type 2 diabetes and metabolic health. Our research showed that DNA methylation markers in blood are associated with type 2 diabetes, even several (7-10) years before diagnosis. Those changes in DNA methylation profiles can be considered markers of altered metabolism, including obesity, glycaemic and lipid changes. We confirmed that accelerated biological age (epigenetic age) is associated with severe obesity and development of type 2 diabetes. Additionally, DNA methylation biomarkers show potential for monitoring response to interventions, for example bariatric surgery, and could be used as biomarkers of environmental exposures such as endocrine disrupting chemicals.