A study published in Nature Human Behavior by Assary et al. demonstrated, “People may have different sensitivities for different environments based on their genetic factors.”
Key Topics:
Highlights:
- Monozygotic twins are born from the same zygote and are almost 100% genetically identical.
- Alongside genetic factors, the environment and surroundings have a significant impact on the phenotypes.
- Genome-wide association study is an important tool for investigating genotype and phenotype relationships and gene-environment interactions.
Introduction:
Genes synthesize proteins and shape various traits. However, differences in traits are benefited by the environment. Lifestyle, eating habits, thinking, stress level, exercise, daily routine, family background, and trauma are several environmental factors contributing to your phenotype development.
These factors play a vital role in gene regulation and based on that, genes express and traits evolve. For instance, more copies of a melanin-producing gene are required for people living in higher temperature regions to protect against skin cancer and harmful UV rays.
Gene-environment interaction studies help understand epigenetic profiles more accurately. This interaction also has a significant effect on the psychiatric traits such as anxiety, depression, psychotic experiences and neuroticism.
Research insights:
The present research, collectively published by Assary et al. and the team from various institutes across the world, revealed the impact of environmental sensitivity on the psychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes.
The author, Dr Elham Assary from Kings IoPPN (Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience) said:
“Differences in individuals’ sensitivity to life experiences can explain why the same negative or positive experiences may have varying effects on people’s mental health, depending on their genetic make-up.”
Dr Elham Assary
In the present study, 23 universities participated and contributed 21,792 identical twins’ (10,896 pairs) data to the study. The genome-wide association study was conducted to identify genetic differences based on their environment and life experiences.
The study showed that despite being almost genetically similar, monozygotic twins develop different psychiatric characteristics based on their surrounding environment. However, the tricky part is the contribution of genetic factors.
If they carry genes that make them more or less sensitive to the environment, they would be more dissimilar to their co-twin. The study aimed to identify those genes linked with environmental sensitivity.
Professor Thalia Eley, the co-author and Professor of Developmental Behavioural Genetics at King’s IoPPN, said:
“These findings confirm that genes influence psychiatric and neurodevelopmental traits partly through affecting how people respond to the world around them. Some people are more sensitive to their circumstances, and this can be positive in good circumstances but can make life more challenging than for others in stressful circumstances.”
Thalia Eley
What is GWAS?
The crucial part of the present research is the large-scale and genome-wide analysis of 21,792 identical twins using the technique known as the GWAS (Genome-wide Association Study).
This technique allows investigation of millions of genetic alterations from different individuals or populations in the experiment. The data provides insight into the differences in genotypes between individuals in different environments.
In the process, sample collection is followed by nucleic acid extraction and genetic analysis. The metadata obtained from the study is evaluated using the computer software. If you want more technical knowledge of GWAS, you can read our previous article.
Key takeaways:
- Genetic factors contribute to an individual’s environmental sensitivity and shape neurological and psychiatric traits as well.
- Gene-environment interaction has a significant role in developing varied phenotypes.
- Techniques like GWAS enable genome-wide analysis to find alterations among different individuals.
Research information:
| Original article name | Genetics of monozygotic twins reveals the impact of environmental sensitivity on psychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes |
| Published Date | 10 June 2025 |
| Journal name | Nature Human Behavior |
| Authors | Elham Assary and co-workers |
| Institution | School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UKSocial, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK |
| Techniques | Genome-wide association study |
Source:
Assary, E., Coleman, J.R.I., Hemani, G. et al. Genetics of monozygotic twins reveals the impact of environmental sensitivity on psychiatric and neurodevelopmental phenotypes. Nat Hum Behav (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-025-02193-7.
