{"id":40917,"date":"2026-05-04T10:16:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T10:16:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/?post_type=teachingbase&#038;p=40917"},"modified":"2026-09-03T09:30:36","modified_gmt":"2026-09-03T09:30:36","slug":"decoding-the-epigenetic-clock","status":"publish","type":"teachingbase","link":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/teachingbase\/decoding-the-epigenetic-clock\/","title":{"rendered":"Decoding the Epigenetic Clock"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hands-on resource on epigenetics<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-banner vf-banner--alert vf-banner--info\">\n    <div class=\"vf-banner__content\">\n        <p class=\"vf-banner__text\">Thanks to the generous contributions of our EMBL colleagues, the teaching resource is now available in nine languages that can be found under &#8220;Resource package&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-banner__text\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p class=\"vf-banner__text\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>                                                                                \n\n\n\n\n<br>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"vf-tabs\"><ul class=\"vf-tabs__list\" data-vf-js-tabs=\"true\"><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-27ffedaf-023a-428c-9f2a-42faab6f66e4\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-1b5ed71c-de16-47eb-bbab-bc645cfc4031\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Overview<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-1079763a-d7ed-4eef-88af-c4b79ce9aec9\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Resource package<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-8249b75f-972b-424f-9545-664bd91fd721\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Instructor slides<\/a><\/li><li class=\"vf-tabs__item\"><a class=\"vf-tabs__link\" href=\"#vf-tabs__section-cb44226d-100d-43a9-8530-187d70f42868\" data-vf-js-location-nearest-activation-target=\"\">Video guide on Activity 1<\/a><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"vf-tabs-content\" data-vf-js-tabs-content=\"true\">\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-27ffedaf-023a-428c-9f2a-42faab6f66e4\"><h2>Introduction<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><br>Although most cells in a multicellular organism have the same DNA, they can look and function very differently. This resource introduces students to epigenetics: reversible changes in gene activity that do not alter the DNA sequence itself. Students will learn about two key epigenetic mechanisms: histone modifications and DNA methylation. The primary focus of this resource is on how epigenetic changes, particularly DNA methylation patterns, can serve as powerful tools in ageing research. Through analysing simplified datasets, students will investigate epigenetic clocks and discover how these molecular patterns change predictably over time, allowing scientists to estimate biological age.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-1b5ed71c-de16-47eb-bbab-bc645cfc4031\"><h2>Overview<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This flexible resource is designed for secondary school teachers and students aged 16\u201319. It supports both traditional classroom teaching and flipped learning. It contains fact sheets on genetics and epigenetics, as well as student worksheets featuring data-driven activities and comprehensive teacher support materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students can explore epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, analyse real-world datasets and develop their own epigenetic clock model. The resource reinforces basic knowledge of DNA and gene expression while developing data analysis skills. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aligned with major curricula (GCSE, A-Level, IB and AP), it enables students to evaluate the role of epigenetics in understanding biological ageing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-1079763a-d7ed-4eef-88af-c4b79ce9aec9\"><h2>Resource package<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click the buttons below to access the PDF resource in your preferred language.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We welcome your and your students&#8217; feedback on the resource, so feel free to share it with us via email at emblog-ells@embl.org.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1xirsHe2FBDwj5OZ4kVvfez9-Qn6UJDBF\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_ENGLISH<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/16lqnbYKkzpUxwKxD6VGic7_nIoeG70fF\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_BOSNIAN-CROATIAN-MONTENEGRIN-SERBIAN<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1taxJAVid9a4ikxX9HzWv3rmbzdfyjveW\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_DUTCH<\/a>\n\n\n<br>\n<br>\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ozaS4-FSV7lBw5_k1TWBgLn8nnUCzZkP\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_ITALIAN<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/16G_73o4aSmCnc33vr6JYM5z9eVO0wZPX\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_GREEK<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1MbyOalltX2NjyaEnLg7E4qIwL4z6XfK4\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_LATVIAN<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1ZC9HndHzeUiDgRtzsV3bIYriOZYRSTXL\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_POLISH<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1_5pKaeJ0c20CxcZBQLH3u7q9gRrvmjFU\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_PORTUGUESE<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/117QB0UJtmYL-Bq_ZHbWB8ZZMA3BZcmXr\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_SLOVAK<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/drive.google.com\/file\/d\/1bdaRLOBgQFz8k7ch4MFpY4wQQ8KShhJu\/view?usp=sharing\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_SPANISCH<\/a>\n\n<br>\n<br>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-8249b75f-972b-424f-9545-664bd91fd721\"><h2>Instructor slides<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We share an instructor slide deck to support your teaching and make lesson prep easier. <br>Originally developed by EMBL, please feel free to download, translate, and adapt them to fit your classroom&#8217;s needs\u2014we just ask that you credit EMBL as the source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/presentation\/d\/1AzwdRV_b75lAsfiyEo9EglGlKgbkH4wXNW6fORzuaeA\/edit?slide=id.g3f757d7b7b0_0_0#slide=id.g3f757d7b7b0_0_0\" class=\"wp-block-file__button vf-button vf-button--primary vf-button--pill vf-button--s wp-element-button\" download=\"\" aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-ef85e28e-d631-41bf-92b5-56a345736fef\" style=\"margin:0 0 0 .75em;\" rel=\"noopener\">Decoding the Epigenetic Clock_Instructor slides_EN<\/a>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"vf-tabs__section\" id=\"vf-tabs__section-cb44226d-100d-43a9-8530-187d70f42868\"><h2>Video guide on Activity 1<\/h2>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Step-by-step video guide to Activity 1 of the &#8220;<strong>Decoding the Epigenetic Clock<\/strong>&#8221; resource. Watch in order as you work through the activity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Access the video guide here: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLaAV5NFyk3nM\">https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/playlist?list=PLaAV5NFyk3nM<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Resource on epigenetics and aging<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":40921,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-40917","teachingbase","type-teachingbase","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","age-group-16-19","topic-area-epigenetics-neurobiology"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/teachingbase\/40917","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/teachingbase"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/teachingbase"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/40921"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.embl.org\/ells\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=40917"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}