Research question

Search for genetical factors as well as environmental factors in the living environment, that affect the length of healthy lifespan, susceptibility to disease, and a person’s sensitivity and emotions  

Research project manager

Norio Sakai (Director of the Graduate School of Medicine affiliated Center for Twin Research, Professor)

Purpose of study 

The purpose of this study, as a part of the twin research conducted at the Graduate School of Medicine affiliated Center for Twin Research, is to conduct analyses on the twin genome data, disease history and epidemiological data etc. stored at the Center with a focus on how environmental factors in the living environment influence gene expression (epigenetics), and combine this information with data on congenital genetic factors (e.g. genetic abnormalities and gene polymorphism) in order to identify factors affecting the length of healthy lifespan and disease susceptibility, and to thereby develop preventive medicine markers, prevention and test methods for improving health and preventing the onset and worsening of disease, and ways to improve the healthiness of living environments.

Significance of the study

(Medical significance)

If we can learn to prevent the onset of disease, there is a chance we can circumvent detrimental health outcomes to the patient by engaging in onset-prevention measures and pre-onset treatment for patients with a risk of contracting a disease. In addition, by establishing a prognosis for the patient who has contracted the disease we can estimate their clinical course in advance, and establish an even more efficient treatment and test schedule in order to extend the patient’s healthy lifespan.

(Social significance)

If we can learn to estimate the prognosis accurately, we can eliminate the need for the patient to undergo needless tests, and be able to lay down a course for the treatment more efficiently. This will not only relieve the patient’s mental, physical and economical stress, but also allow them to better predict the course of their illness and thereby gain more information regarding the necessity of undergoing tests and treatments.