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Epigenetics: What Makes You "You"?

Series
Christmas Science Lectures
Video Audio Embed
Have you ever wondered why identical twins aren’t, well, actually identical? Do you want to blame your parents for something about you that is different from everyone else in the family? Then you need to find out about Epigenetics.
In this lecture, we will explore why identical twins are not identical despite sharing the same set of genes. Epigenetics tells the cell whether genes can be switched on or off and this varies even in identical twins. The environment, things like food and toxins, influences epigenetics. So what your parents ate and what they did at your conception and while you were growing in the uterus plays a big part in what you are now. In the same way, the sort of food you eat now, where you live and the amount of stress you face also influences your epigenetics. As the saying goes “you are what you eat”. In this lecture you can find out why.

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Episode Information

Series
Christmas Science Lectures
People
Jane Mellor
Keywords
microbiology
biochemistry
genetics
epigenetic
Department: Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences (MPLS)
Date Added: 11/12/2015
Duration: 00:33:40

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