Variability of Epigenetic Clocks and their Mechanisms in Association with Culture, Lifestyle, Aging and Disease

In the exploration of aging and health outcomes, epigenetic clocks have emerged as crucial biomarkers. Predominantly developed from data pertaining to Western demographics, these clocks utilize DNA methylation patterns to assess biological age and predict various health outcomes. This geographical skew in data sources brings to the fore significant concerns about their efficacy and generalizability across different cultural and genetic makeups.

This Research Topic aims to delve into the variability of epigenetic clocks' performance across diverse populations. It seeks to measure their reliability when applied outside their initial development contexts and explore their potential for broadening the horizons of global public health strategies. This investigation will be pivotal in addressing the pressing need for global health models that accommodate diverse biological backgrounds.

To gather further insights on this subject, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:

• Comparative analyses of epigenetic clocks' effectiveness in varying populations.
• Exploration of molecular pathways and mechanisms that may elucidate differences in epigenetic aging processes across populations.
• Assessment of these clocks' predictive power on disease, mindfulness practices, and personalized medicine practices across different genetic profiles
• Strategies for the development and validation of new epigenetic clocks that cater to diverse global populations.
• Development of epigenetic clocks in non-human species as models for disease and aging
• Socioeconomic factors and the effect of chronic illnesses on epigenetic clocks.
• Examination of public health frameworks that integrate epigenetic aging metrics in multi-cultural settings.
• Examination of alternative epigenetic clock models based on novel CpG sites that provide better accuracy across diverse populations, genetic backgrounds, or disease states.

With these targeted inquiries, the scope of this research topic is mapped across clinical and public health interfaces, anticipating significant contributions that enhance our understanding of the translational applications of epigenetic aging markers globally.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Data Report
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: epigenetics, epigenomics, cross cultural, epigenetic clocks, comparative studies

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.