title: Advances in epigenome-wide association studies for common diseases.
abstract: Epigenome-wide association studies (EWASs) provide a systematic approach to uncovering epigenetic variants underlying common diseases. Discoveries have shed light on novel molecular mechanisms of disease and enabled the application of epigenetic variants as biomarkers. Here, we highlight the recent advances in this emerging line of research and discuss key challenges for current and future studies.
authors.affiliation: UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. Electronic address: d.paul@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Dirk S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Paul
authors.affiliation: UCL Cancer Institute, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK. Electronic address: s.beck@ucl.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beck
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000235:genetics; D015415:Biomarkers; D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D055106:Genome-Wide Association Study / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers
keywords: DNA methylation; EWAS; GWAS; biomarker; disease mechanism
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