Epigenetic Markers for Identifying Environmental Influence

About Internship

Assistant Professor, Department of Research, from Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, is accepting interns interested in the field of Public Health, in the research area of Public Health Preparedness and Biosecurity.

The selected interns will explore the potential of epigenetic markers to understand how environmental factors influence human health. Unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic modifications—such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA expression—are reversible and often reflect dynamic responses to environmental exposures, including pollutants, diet, stress, and lifestyle. I am particularly interested in how early-life exposures (e.g., during pregnancy or infancy) may leave lasting epigenetic imprints that influence disease susceptibility later in life. This is highly relevant in the context of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD). Environmental toxins like heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, and air pollutants can alter gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, potentially contributing to chronic diseases such as cancer, metabolic disorders, and neurodevelopmental conditions. During the internship, I aim to understand techniques such as bisulfite sequencing, methylation-specific PCR, and data interpretation tools used in epigenome-wide association studies (EWAS). These tools help in identifying biomarkers of exposure, effect, and susceptibility. By studying epigenetic changes as markers of environmental influence, we move a step closer to personalized medicine and preventive strategies, especially for vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children. This field not only bridges environmental science and molecular biology but also holds great promise for public health interventions and policy. This internship has deepened my interest in translational research, where findings from epigenetic studies can inform early diagnostics, risk prediction, and therapeutic innovation.