The Understanding Society team has measured genome wide epigenetic data in blood samples from almost 1,200 people. To mark the launch of this new data, the household study is hosting an event at The Royal Society for Public Health, London on 27th April.

The new epigenetic data will combine with Understanding Society’s existing biomarker, genetic, social and economic data to provide a rich and powerful research resource. Social, behavioural and environmental scientists might be interested in epigenetics based on the premise that one’s social, behavioural and environmental circumstances can modify which aspects of the genome are expressed and which are not.

Who is this event for?

The event is aimed at scientists interested in the interactions between social and environmental factors and health. Information will be given on how to access the data with presentations of initial results from exemplar research projects.

if you have any questions, please contact events@understandingsociety.ac.uk

Programme

Please note that this is a draft programme so the timings are subject to change

10.00-10.30 Registration and refreshments

10.30-10.45 Welcome and introduction to Understanding Society
Professor Michaela Benzeval, Director of Understanding Society and Professor of Lifecourse studies, University of Essex

10.45 – 11.10 Introduction into why epigenetic data are interesting
Professor Marcus Pembrey, Emeritus Professor of Paediatric Genetics, Great Ormond Street, Institute of Child Health and Bristol University

11.10-11.35 Genomics for social scientists
Professor Meena Kumari, Professor of Biomedical and Social Epidemiology

11.35-11.50 Break and refreshments

11.55–12.20 An overview of the Biomarker data available in Understanding Society
Professor Meena Kumari, Professor of Biomedical and Social Epidemiology, Understanding Society, University of Essex

12.20-12.45 A guide to accessing the epigenetic data in Understanding Society: EGA and METADAC
Dr Melissa Smart, Senior Research Officer, Understanding Society

12.45-13.00 General discussion and questions

13.00-14.00 Lunch

14.00-14.30 Epigenetic analysis and potentials issues
Professor Jonathan Mill, Professor of Epigenetics at the University of Exeter Medical School & Head of Psychiatric Epigenetic Group at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London

14.30-15.45 Short talks

Quality Control of the epigenetic data in Understanding Society, Tyler Gorrie-Stone, Research Student, University of Essex
An epigenome wide association study of lipids in Understanding Society, Tyler Gorrie-Stone
Smoking status and epigenetic signals in Understanding Society, Alexandria Andrayas, Research Student at the University of Essex
Is unemployment associated with accelerated ageing? An analysis using methylation data in Understanding Society, Melissa Smart

15.45-16.00 Conclusion / End

Launch of Understanding Society's Epigenetic Data