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Contact Details

Email
aaron.stevens@otago.ac.nz
Position
Senior Lecturer
Department
Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine (Wellington)
Qualifications
BSc(Cant), PhD(Otago)
Research summary
Epigenetics; gene structure and function

Research

Many environmental factors including diet, smoking and pollutants can influence the pattern of chemical modifications on our DNA (epigenetic marks). Dr Aaron Stevens is investigating whether oxidative stress could be a pathway through which such modifications can occur. Epigenetic processes such as methylation may be influenced by generation of reactive oxygen species within the cell, and this could affect how specific proteins bind and recognise DNA.

Methylated cytosine is an important epigenetic regulator of gene activity and plays a dynamic process in cell growth, differentiation, migration, and overall tissue architecture. Changing the methylation patterns during DNA replication may alter gene activity and redirect cell fate, which could be an important process in understanding how genes respond to their environmental conditions and is a central question for managing health and disease.

This research project is a joint collaboration between the Gene Structure and Function Laboratory and the Centre for Free Radical Research.

Publications

Theobald, P., Harding, A. J., Taylor, M., Donovan, K., Moltchanova, E., Stevens, A., Tikao, K., … Rucklidge, J. J. (2026). Efficacy of oral micronutrients and online mindfulness for emotional dysregulation in children aged 6–10 (The M&M Trial): A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Nutritional Psychiatry, 2, 100014. doi: 10.1016/j.nupsyc.2026.100014 Journal - Research Other

Mock, P. Y., Chua, E. W., Stevens, A., Salim, F., & Lam, K. W. (2025). Exploration of chromenone-based ligands as DNA G-quadruplex targets in triple-negative breast cancer. Bioorganic Chemistry, 166, 109150. doi: 10.1016/j.bioorg.2025.109150 Journal - Research Article

Damiano, O. M., Stevens, A. J., Kenwright, D. N., & Seddon, A. R. (2025). Chronic inflammation to cancer: The impact of oxidative stress on DNA methylation. Frontiers in Bioscience - Landmark, 30(3), 26142. doi: 10.31083/fbl26142 Journal - Research Other

Stevens, A. J., Kennedy, M. A., Doudney, K., Kidd, M. J. A., & Rucklidge, J. J. (2025). Potential link between copy number variation and abnormal genome wide DNA methylation profile in an individual with severe ADHD and a strong response to micronutrient treatment. Psychiatry Research Case Reports. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.psycr.2025.100254 Journal - Research Article

Seddon, A. R., MacArthur, C. P., Hampton, M. B., & Stevens, A. J. (2024). Inflammation and DNA methylation in Alzheimer’s disease: Mechanisms of epigenetic remodelling by immune cell oxidants in the ageing brain. Redox Report, 29(1), 2428152. doi: 10.1080/13510002.2024.2428152 Journal - Research Other

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