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Epigenetics: An Introduction

Ever wondered why identical twins become less alike as they age, even developing different diseases? Why are the cells of your skin so different from the cells of your kidneys, even though they contain exactly the same DNA? The answer lies in epigenetics, an extra layer of information on top of genes, that controls how the genetic script gets used. It’s the link between nature and nurture and it’s important in a huge range of biological processes. It explains why tortoiseshell cats are almost always female, and why global warming is leading to catastrophic skewing of the sex ratios in turtle populations.

Drug companies are investing billions of dollars in creating new therapies for cancer, using their knowledge of how epigenetic problems can drive this disease. Most weirdly of all, the epigenetic system can be a means by which responses to the environment get passed down through generations, without any change in DNA. It’s a wonderful, strange, fascinating and sometimes controversial science, and it affects us all.

Reading Recommendations:

  •  The Epigenetics Revolution – Dr Nessa Carey (Icon Books, 2011)
  •  Introducing Epigenetics, a Graphic Guide – Cath Ennis (Icon Books, 2017)
  •  The Gene: An Intimate History – Siddhartha Mukherjee (Scribner, 2017)

About the Speaker:

Dr-Nessa-Carey-The-Weekend-University
Dr Nessa Carey

Dr Nessa Carey is a biologist working in the field of molecular biology and biotechnology. She is International Director of the technology transfer organisation PraxisUnico and a Visiting Professor at Imperial College London. With expertise in the field of epigenetics and in technology transfer, she promotes the movement of scientists between academia and industry, lecturing often to school students and early career scientists. 

Dr Carey writes books and articles for a scientifically interested general audience, and contributes to the Huffington Post. She is the author of The Epigenetics Revolution and Junk DNA: A Journey Through the Dark Matter of the Genome which explore advances in the field of epigenetics and their implications for medicine. You can find out more about her work at www.nessacarey.co.uk. 

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A Day on Changing Consciousness

  • University of Greenwich, 10 Stockwell Street Greenwich, London, SE10 9BD, United Kingdom
  • 26/06/2022
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Upcoming at TWU

This episode is sponsored by our upcoming Day on Changing Consciousness, taking place at the University of Greenwich on 26th June, 2022. 

This will be The Weekend University’s first ‘in person’ event in over two years, and it’s shaping up to be a special occasion. The lectures will focus on consciousness paradigms that go beyond the brain, how they work, why they matter, and how understanding them can enhance your everyday experience of reality, with talks on: 

–> Panpsychism: Is Everything Conscious? – Dr Philip Goff, PhD

–> From Ego-Centric to Eco-Centric: Changing Consciousness through Psychedelics – Dr Sam Gandy, PhD 

–> Is Reality an Illusion? – Professor Donald Hoffman, PhD (via live video link)

By attending live, you can interact with the speakers in the Q&A sessions, connect with like-minded participants during the conference, and get CPD certification. 

Should you be unable to attend in person, you’ll also be able to tune in from the comfort of home with a “Livestream Pass”. 

As a listener of this podcast, you can get a discount on your ticket, if you go to https://bit.ly/ccj-twu, and use the discount code: POD when registering.

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