The most recent meeting featured a lecture given by one of the bright shining stars of the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, A/Prof Jeff Craig PhD.
We have long been accustomed to the idea that our personal traits, health and predisposition to disease are in large part determined by our genes, and in turn, that it is through our genes that these characteristics are passed on to later generations. Conversely, we have long accepted that the direct effects of environmental factors – physical or psychological – are confined to the individual involved and do not contribute to the genetic endowment of their descendants.
Over the past 20 years, this conventional wisdom has been expanded and challenged by evidence that genes not only control but are controlled, by mechanisms regulating which genes are turned on and off, at what time and in which tissues. This is the emerging field of epigenetics.
This proved to be an interesting and enjoyable meeting with a group of approximately 30 Alumni members and some guests.