Are our health and longevity determined solely by the information written in our genes, or do we have a real influence over how our bodies “read” the instructions for life? I discuss the epigenetic revolution with Professor Tomasz Wojdacz, a world class expert in epigenetics research.
For years, Professor Wojdacz has been translating complex molecular mechanisms into the language of modern cancer diagnostics and precision medicine. In this conversation, we learn why lifestyle is such a powerful tool for programming our cells and how multiomics research is transforming modern hospitals.
Michał Wieczorek: For the past several years, the word “epigenetics” has been everywhere in science and medicine. We often hear that a revolution is underway. What does this actually mean for the average person?
Prof. Tomasz K. Wojdacz, MD, PhD: This revolution comes from the fact that after years of fascination with sequencing the human genome itself, we realized that knowing the DNA sequence alone does not give us all the answers. Epigenetics is the study not of what genes look like, but of how they work. We can compare it to an instruction manual: DNA is the text, while epigenetics is the way the cell reads that text. Epigenetic mechanisms determine why a nerve cell conducts electrical signals and a muscle cell contracts, even though both contain identical genetic material.
You have been working in this field for 20 years. What has changed most in our understanding of cell biology during that time?
A key factor in the development of epigenetics was the technological progress made in the early 2000s and the development of technologies that allowed us to sequence the genome and epigenome in just a few hours. Technological progress, combined with the use of AI algorithms for data analysis, led to a true breakthrough in cell biology research. In our studies, we use a multiomics approach. We no longer look only at DNA, but combine data from the epigenome, RNA, proteins, and metabolism. This generates gigabytes of data that would be impossible to interpret without artificial intelligence and machine learning. From a single patient tissue or cell, we generate billions of data points, and the human body contains more than 200 different types of tissues and cells.
It is often said that genes account for only 20 to 30% of our longevity. Where do these figures come from, and what about the remaining 70%?
That 30% is an estimate based on statistical studies and population observations. It is important to note that we still do not know exactly how much genetics contributes to lifespan. We need more data to determine that. However, once we began sequencing entire human genomes, it became clear that during aging we do not accumulate enough mutations in the cells of our bodies to fully explain the aging process. The “missing” 70% is the area we can genuinely influence through our choices and environment. This is where epigenetics comes into play. As a scientist, I find this fascinating because it means that most of our future health depends on us, rather than on the “hand” we were dealt in the genetic lottery.
Since we can influence it, what specifically “damages” our epigenome?
Molecular mechanisms confirm what intuition and logic already suggest. Smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, and a poor diet do not alter the DNA sequence, but they dramatically increase the risk of disease. This happens because environmental factors disrupt epigenetic mechanisms, leading to cellular dysfunction. Most importantly and optimistically, unlike genetic mutations, epigenetic changes are potentially reversible. When we adopt a healthier lifestyle, our epigenetic mechanisms may return to normal. The clearest example is that when we begin living more healthily, our risk of disease decreases.
Are these theories supported by research on people with exceptional longevity? Recently, there was a great deal of attention surrounding 117 year old Maria Branyas.
The case of Maria Branyas is extremely interesting, although we must remember that it involved only one person. Scientists found that her “epigenetic clock” was younger than her chronological age. Interestingly, no longevity “super genes” were found in her DNA, only an absence of harmful mutations associated with disease. This suggests that her body retained an exceptional ability to read genetic information correctly.
You mentioned “epigenetic clocks.” Does that mean we can precisely measure how quickly we are aging?
These clocks are based mainly on DNA methylation. DNA methylation is an epigenetic modification that, in simple terms, determines whether a gene will be active or inactive. Epigenetic clocks measure, again simplifying somewhat, the number of DNA methylation changes that accumulate over the course of our lives. This allows us to observe that people living in specific environmental conditions, for example following a particular lifestyle, accumulate more or fewer methylation changes. If they accumulate more, they age faster epigenetically. At present, epigenetic clocks are an excellent tool for assessing the effects of environmental factors on the body at the population level. Their precision for individual people still leaves much to be desired and requires further research.
How will this knowledge from epigenetics translate into specific solutions in hospitals and clinics?
In my opinion, the greatest achievement of clinical epigenetics research is the development of tests that make it possible to detect cancer early using a diagnostic blood sample. One of the greatest challenges in modern oncology is that cancers are often detected too late, only after metastasis has already occurred. However, we know that many cancers develop in the body for years without causing any symptoms. Now imagine a test that could detect cancer at a very early stage, when the tumor is still localized and has not spread throughout the body. In many cases, treatment could then be limited to removing the tumor, without the need for aggressive therapies. Therefore, if we could develop a simple test capable of detecting asymptomatic cancers before metastasis using a diagnostic blood sample, which most of us provide at least once a year, it would be a true revolution in oncology. Tests of this kind, based on epigenetic markers, are currently in advanced stages of clinical research.
Can epigenetics also help us treat patients more effectively once a diagnosis has been made?
Definitely. The World Health Organization already recommends classifying brain tumors based on epigenetic biomarkers because this method is more precise than traditional histopathology. Precise cancer classification is the foundation and the first step toward personalized treatment.
Finally, is research into reversing aging still science fiction?
In my opinion, we will still have to wait some time for epigenetic rejuvenation. Experiments in research laboratories show that, in very simplified terms, it is possible to “rejuvenate” cells by reversing epigenetic changes. However, the path from laboratory studies on individual cells to treatment for patients is very long and must be supported by rigorous clinical research. In scientific research, an error may mean correcting a publication. In medicine, it can mean a risk to the patient’s health. Nevertheless, the potential of epigenetics in prevention and diagnostics is already a reality that we are beginning to use.
