Epigenetic Sun Exposure Assessment via CpG Methylation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods fail to effectively assess the epigenetic impact of sun exposure on human skin, limiting the ability to determine damage or health effects and provide personalized interventions based on individual epigenetic profiles.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the observation of cytosine methylation at specific CpG sites in genomic DNA from skin cells, specifically identifying and utilizing a set of CpG loci to determine the effect of sun exposure, including chronic and acute exposure, by analyzing changes in methylation patterns over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If general DNA methylation analysis is performed, then comprehensive epigenetic information is obtained, but the ability to specifically assess sun exposure impact is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the genome into specific CpG loci regions that are enriched for sun exposure-related methylation changes. Instead of analyzing the entire epigenome, the method focuses on predetermined sets of CpG sites (such as those in promoters, enhancers, and other regulatory regions) that show differential methylation patterns in response to UV exposure, thereby improving specificity while reducing analytical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by identifying and analyzing specific local regions of the genome (CpG loci) that have functional relevance to sun exposure responses. These localized regions include promoters of genes involved in DNA repair, antioxidants, and other UV-response pathways, allowing targeted assessment of epigenetic changes most relevant to photodamage
2Reliability
If epigenetic profiling is used for personalized interventions, then individualized advice can be provided, but current methods lack the ability to detect exposure effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-identifying and curating sets of CpG loci that are known to be differentially methylated in response to sun exposure. These predetermined loci serve as biomarkers that can reliably indicate exposure status, enabling accurate detection before clinical symptoms manifest and allowing timely intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by measuring methylation beta-values at specific CpG loci to quantify sun exposure impact. By monitoring changes in methylation parameters (hypermethylation or hypomethylation) at these biomarker loci, the method can detect exposure effects, assess cumulative damage, and track responses to photoprotection interventions
3Measurement precision
If comprehensive CpG sites are analyzed, then thorough epigenetic assessment is achieved, but the method becomes less practical for individual assessment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the most informative CpG loci from the entire epigenome. By identifying and extracting only the essential biomarker loci that show consistent and functional methylation changes in response to sun exposure, the method maintains assessment completeness while making individual testing practical and cost-effective
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the assessment of sun exposure's impact on skin health, enabling the use of epigenetic profiles to provide personalized advice and interventions, with significant changes in methylation patterns observed over short and extended periods, indicating potential for early detection of exposure effects.
Implementation Method 1
DNA methylation is an epigenetic determinant of gene expression. Patterns of CpG methylation are heritable, tissue specific, and correlate with gene expression.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method for obtaining information useful to determine the effect of sun exposure on the skin of an individual, the method comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining genomic DNA from skin cells derived from the individual, wherein the skin cells include epidermal skin cells; and (b) observing cytosine methylation of at least two CpG loci in the genomic DNA selected from the group consisting of: cg02066936 cg16929393 cg05715751 cg21177821 cg05504117 cg00772091 cg06066180 cg00675160 cg00067720 cg02491003 cg24490133 cg05355684 cg19283806 cg23976431 cg00025972 cg07050101 cg10557907 cg25588389 cg24114899 cg22695351 cg24105685 cg13181164 cg04258138 cg13181974 cg24357619 cg17196051 cg27546066 cg01203651 cg09496748 cg00297912 cg19757573 cg03243551 cg10634273 cg23225508 cg10397765 cg02037307 cg15084618 cg25677261 cg10294853 cg19145082 cg12577010 cg24489344 cg08243465 cg04935109 cg19720260 cg16293892 cg16210355 cg03597159 cg26837962 cg18582260 cg10624914 cg12474705 cg04425614 cg15701237 cg09055205 cg11969813 cg15496956 cg01978213 cg02215357 cg02851203 cg23824183 cg21497990 cg27105183 cg18541042 cg19413397 cg15233074 cg02018681 cg18228590 cg16777510 cg05959430 cg13765278 cg04084883 cg11723713 cg06427571 cg04424885 cg22834542 cg16863522 cg17180088 cg00081714 cg27305903 cg01797450 cg19990373 cg23153745 cg01166892 cg05751344 cg06984848 cg19009417 cg20067575 cg24393844 cg00813560 cg17341765 cg04659582 cg14076239 cg06958636 cg14624145 cg02152631 cg15059474 cg08781365 cg08267250 cg16808156 cg13582226 cg02004370 cg06641366 cg04921068 cg21519787 cg09657114 cg24736734 cg22923895 cg10494639 cg24534872 cg23036668 cg03475509 cg12906649 cg27005906 cg14043049 cg17117459 cg23909173 cg23660755 cg11741189 cg08644276 cg09353052 cg00953443 cg15674181 cg10052164 cg26166717 cg23301462 cg24990283 cg24349610 cg19263548 cg09407650 cg07619697 cg08903441 cg21855021 cg06769820 cg12907959 cg13213009 cg07657776 cg02768671 cg26132737 cg08584947 cg24591969 cg01552275 cg05888872 cg13896748 cg00415971 cg18156845 cg10389644 cg12743638 cg13852284 cg19049964 cg25002649 cg18833788 cg19187110 cg01823161 cg02754084 cg02992048 cg03819134 cg13366863 cg20187049 cg23224396 cg24699871 cg05799507 cg06650378 cg03985520 cg10267724 cg25034941 cg09914773 cg27181375 cg02261047 cg08203794 cg10236596 cg10113820 cg07695089 cg10481072 cg08703857 cg19256731 cg07982208 cg16246713 cg22821554 cg20419272 cg17206555 cg07166800 cg25204319 cg26063719 cg05851505, so that information useful to determine the effect of sun exposure on the skin is obtained.