Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health

Type-2 diabetes is a systemic condition with rising global prevalence, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities worldwide. Recent advances in epigenomics methods, particularly in DNA methylation detection, have enabled the discovery of associations between epigenetic changes and Type-2 di...

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Main Authors: Sarah Munns, Alex Brown, Sam Buckberry
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2025.1502640/full
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author Sarah Munns
Sarah Munns
Alex Brown
Alex Brown
Sam Buckberry
Sam Buckberry
author_facet Sarah Munns
Sarah Munns
Alex Brown
Alex Brown
Sam Buckberry
Sam Buckberry
author_sort Sarah Munns
collection DOAJ
description Type-2 diabetes is a systemic condition with rising global prevalence, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities worldwide. Recent advances in epigenomics methods, particularly in DNA methylation detection, have enabled the discovery of associations between epigenetic changes and Type-2 diabetes. In this review, we summarise DNA methylation profiling methods, and discuss how these technologies can facilitate the discovery of epigenomic biomarkers for Type-2 diabetes. We critically evaluate previous DNA methylation biomarker studies, particularly those using microarray platforms, and advocate for a shift towards sequencing-based approaches to improve genome-wide coverage. Furthermore, we emphasise the need for biomarker studies that include genetically diverse populations, especially Indigenous communities who are significantly impacted by Type-2 diabetes. We discuss research approaches and ethical considerations that can better facilitate Type-2 diabetes biomarker development to ensure that future genomics-based precision medicine efforts deliver equitable health outcomes. We propose that by addressing these gaps, future research can better capture the genetic and environmental complexities of Type-2 diabetes among populations at disproportionate levels of risk, ultimately leading to more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-07e5152f36744daabe693f3b5ae39d5e2025-08-20T02:29:38ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences2296-889X2025-04-011210.3389/fmolb.2025.15026401502640Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous healthSarah Munns0Sarah Munns1Alex Brown2Alex Brown3Sam Buckberry4Sam Buckberry5The Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaNational Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, AustraliaThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaNational Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, AustraliaThe Kids Research Institute Australia, Perth, WA, AustraliaNational Centre for Indigenous Genomics, Australian National University, Canberra, ACT, AustraliaType-2 diabetes is a systemic condition with rising global prevalence, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities worldwide. Recent advances in epigenomics methods, particularly in DNA methylation detection, have enabled the discovery of associations between epigenetic changes and Type-2 diabetes. In this review, we summarise DNA methylation profiling methods, and discuss how these technologies can facilitate the discovery of epigenomic biomarkers for Type-2 diabetes. We critically evaluate previous DNA methylation biomarker studies, particularly those using microarray platforms, and advocate for a shift towards sequencing-based approaches to improve genome-wide coverage. Furthermore, we emphasise the need for biomarker studies that include genetically diverse populations, especially Indigenous communities who are significantly impacted by Type-2 diabetes. We discuss research approaches and ethical considerations that can better facilitate Type-2 diabetes biomarker development to ensure that future genomics-based precision medicine efforts deliver equitable health outcomes. We propose that by addressing these gaps, future research can better capture the genetic and environmental complexities of Type-2 diabetes among populations at disproportionate levels of risk, ultimately leading to more effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2025.1502640/fulltype-2 diabetescardiometabolic diseaseDNA methylationbiomarkersepigenetic clockIndigenous health
spellingShingle Sarah Munns
Sarah Munns
Alex Brown
Alex Brown
Sam Buckberry
Sam Buckberry
Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences
type-2 diabetes
cardiometabolic disease
DNA methylation
biomarkers
epigenetic clock
Indigenous health
title Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
title_full Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
title_fullStr Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
title_full_unstemmed Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
title_short Type-2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers: present status and future directions for global and Indigenous health
title_sort type 2 diabetes epigenetic biomarkers present status and future directions for global and indigenous health
topic type-2 diabetes
cardiometabolic disease
DNA methylation
biomarkers
epigenetic clock
Indigenous health
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmolb.2025.1502640/full
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