Monozygotic (MZ) twins and higher-order multiples arise when a zygote splits during pre-
implantation stages of development. The mechanisms underpinning this event have …

Background Monozygotic twins have long been studied to estimate heritability and explore
epigenetic influences on phenotypic variation. The phenotypic and epigenetic similarities of …

Background Although the genomes of monozygotic twins are practically identical, their
methylomes may evolve divergently throughout their lifetime as a consequence of factors …

Monozygous twins share a common genotype. However, most monozygotic twin pairs are
not identical; several types of phenotypic discordance may be observed, such as differences …

Twin studies have provided the basis for genetic and epidemiological studies in human
complex traits,. As epigenetic factors can contribute to phenotypic outcomes, we conducted …

Over the last decades, there has been a twin boom in terms of live births. Meanwhile, new
insights into the genetics of twinning have changed major paradigms. The first major …

Although popularly designated as “identical”, monozygotic (MZ) twins are rarely identical.
Much has been speculated on the origin of MZ twins and several theories have been …

Despite the important role that monozygotic twins have played in genetics research, little is
known about their genomic differences. Here we show that monozygotic twins differ on …

The evolutionary mechanisms underlying duplicate gene maintenance and divergence
remain highly debated. Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, may contribute …

Background Low birth weight is associated with an increased adult metabolic disease risk. It
is widely discussed that poor intra-uterine conditions could induce long-lasting epigenetic …