From Aging to Cancer Risk in Epigenetics with Dr. Chiara Herzog

In this week's episode of the Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Chiara Herzog and I talk about how epigenetics is making waves in the medical world and how it could change treatment. Translational scientist and research fellow Dr. Herzog provides insights from her role in the Biomarkers of Aging Consortium and her work on the TirolGESUND project, one of the largest multi-omic human lifestyle intervention trials to date. We investigate the potential applications of epigenetics in cancer detection, aging biomarkers, and preventive measures that could change the paradigm of healthcare from one that is reactive to one that is proactive. We also explore the fascinating potential of using epigenetic markers to anticipate disease before it manifests itself, particularly in the context of cancer research, and how this could impact the delivery of tailored healthcare.

You'll learn about:

• How Dr. Herzog’s background in neuroscience led her to epigenetics
• Recent breakthroughs in epigenetics and why they are promising for healthcare
• The potential of epigenetic markers to predict cancer risk and diagnose early stages of cancer
• The setup and goals of the TirolGESUND study focusing on intermittent fasting and smoking cessation
• The importance of studying epigenetic changes across different cell types and understanding the exposome
• How the exposome interacts with our epigenome and its implications for personalized medicine

Chapters: 
00:00 Welcome and introduction
02:30 Dr. Herzog’s journey from neuroscience to epigenetics
05:40 Recent breakthroughs in epigenetic research
12:10 Epigenetics and cancer risk: promising findings
19:15 TirolGESUND study: setup, interventions, and what to expect
27:40 Why studying different cell types matters in epigenetics
32:00 Understanding the exposome and its impact on health
38:20 Future steps for advancing epigenetic biomarkers in healthcare
45:00 Exciting upcoming projects in epigenetics research