The PedBE clock accurately estimates DNA methylation age in pediatric buccal cells

Significance DNA methylation is the most studied modification in human population epigenetics. Its information content can be explored in 2 principal ways—epigenome-wide association studies and epigenetic age. The latter likely reflects cellular/biological age and works with impressive accuracy across most tissues. In adults, it associates with various environments and health. However, current epigenetic clocks are not very accurate in the pediatric age range perhaps because DNA methylation changes much faster in children. Addressing this crucial gap, we created a precise tool to estimate DNA methylation age specific to pediatric buccal epithelial cells. This tool has the potential to become the standard reference for epigenetic studies broadly relevant to child development across the spectrum from health to disease.

The PedBE clock accurately estimates DNA methylation age in pediatric buccal cells Journal Articles