Awarded Nature Paper on Epigenetic Inheritance
The prize is awarded for Teperino’s study published in Nature in 2024: “Epigenetic inheritance of diet-induced and sperm-borne mitochondrial RNAs.” The work provides groundbreaking insights into how men’s diet and body weight before conception can influence the long-term health of their children.
At the core of the study are special RNA molecules in sperm – so-called mitochondrial tRNA fragments (mt-tsRNAs). These molecules are transferred from sperm to oocyte at fertilization, accumulate in early embryos and enable the epigenetic transmission of acquired health traits through the paternal line.
A Father’s Diet Influences Children's Disease Risks
Using data from the LIFE Child cohort of more than 3,000 families, the research team showed that the father’s body weight is significantly associated with the weight and later metabolic health of the children – independent of genetic factors, family lifestyle or the mother’s health status.
Experiments in mouse models confirmed these findings: A high-fat diet in fathers alters the RNA composition of their sperm and leads to offspring with an increased susceptibility to metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Laboratory analyses also showed that these altered RNA molecules influence gene expression in early embryos and thereby shape the development of the offspring.
New Impetus for Preventive Medicine
“Our results highlight the importance of paternal health before conception,” says Teperino. “Preventive health programs for men wishing to become fathers should receive more attention – especially regarding diet and metabolic health.”
About the PRO-SCIENTIA Award
The PRO-SCIENTIA Award of the Eckhart-Buddecke Foundation honors scientific work that, through modern molecular biological, biochemical, or cell biological methods, provides new insights into fundamental life processes and mechanisms of disease.
