[Vanhackspace] How Does The Environment Get Under Our Skin? A DIALOGUE in EPIGENETICS

[Jenny]

For anyone interested in bio-geekery, and especially for anyone who
has, or plans on having, kids.  This discussion is being put on by
UBC's Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, together with
one of the major governmental research funding bodies.  The event is
free but requires an RSVP.
Deets here and below:
http://www.cmmt.ubc.ca/news/events/2010/04/dialogue-in-epigenetics

For non-bio-geeks, epigenetics is the study of physical/physiological
changes that take place without mutations in the genetic code.  This
is possible through changes in the way your body uses the DNA you were
born with, which ultimately affects the biochemical pathways occurring
in your cells.  This can explain many mysteries: why some chemicals
ultimately cause cancer, how we adapt to changes in our environment,
why early experiences shape our health and wellbeing later on, and why
a nerve cell in your brain looks nothing like a cell from your liver,
even though they share the exact same genetic code.
For more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics

In a nutshell, epigenetics is the means by which your body hacks
itself.  And perhaps your future children.  Without you even knowing
it.  Rad.
IMHO, the discovery of epigenetics is at least as big a deal as the
discovery of DNA was back in the 50's.

Deets:

How does the environment get under our skin? A dialogue in epigenetics
April 8th, 2010

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) in partnership with
the Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics present a cafe
scientifique on epigenetics.

Did you know that your lifestyle decisions today, as well as your
social and environmental context impact not only your own health but
also that of your descendants?
Early exposure to good nutrition or a loving and stimulating home
environment get under our skin, and affect health and well being in
adult life.

Join us for light refreshments and a lively discussion about how our
present day to day practices affect the future health of our
descendants.

When: Thursday, April 8th , 2010
Time: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tickets: FREE EVENT – all our welcome. Please RSVP to Tanya Erb
tanya at cmmt.ubc.ca, or 604 875 2345 ext 5901
Where: The Roundhouse Community Centre
181 Roundhouse Mews (Corner of Davie & Pacific), Vancouver, BC V6Z 2W3

Presenters

    * W. Thomas Boyce, Ph.D.
      Sunny Hill Health Centre/BC Leadership Chair in Child Development
      College for Interdisciplinary Studies and Faculty of Medicine
    * Clyde Hertzman, Ph.D.
      Director, Human Early Learning Partnership
      University of British Columbia
    * Michael Kobor, Ph.D.
      Scientist, Centre for Molecular Medicine & Therapeutics
      Child & Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia
    * Ralph Catalano, Ph.D.
      Professor of Public Health
      University of California, Berkeley

Moderator

    * Maria LeRose
      TV Producer, host and interviewer
      Bartlett-LeRose Productions