Researcher studies genetic influence on fetal growth
A Le Bonheur investigator is studying how DNA sequence variation can affect fetal growth.
Ronald Adkins, PhD, a researcher with Le Bonheur and the Children’s Foundation Research Center will specifically study DNA methylation, or why some genes are turned off and on in a DNA sequence. He will also study how a mother’s diet can affect the way DNA methylation controls genes.
Both studies have received National Institutes of Health funding and are expected to run for two years.
“We want to find out the role of genetics in fetal growth and see if there is something we can do to promote fetal growth,” said Adkins, who began the studies this fall.
He also expects to look at whether there’s a correlation between DNA methylation and diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
