What is Epigenetics? - with Nessa Carey

Why your DNA is not your destiny. Molecular biologist Nessa Carey presents an introduction to epigenetics and explains how it shapes life.

DNA is a vitally important starting point for life, but it's how it's used by cells and organisms that is really important. Epigenetics is a rapidly moving field that has transformed our understanding of how one set of genes can create the masterpiece that is each of us. It's also leading scientists into unexpected and exciting areas such as new ways to treat disease, understand drug addiction or unravel the lifelong consequences of early childhood trauma.

Nessa Carey is a geneticist and author of The Epigenetics Revolution. She has a degree in Immunology, PhD in Virology, was a post-doctoral researcher in Human Genetics, and a senior lecturer at Imperial College London in Molecular Biology. She's also spent 10 years in the biotechnology industry and now works in the pharmaceutical sector.

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[drewfisher]

She is an amazing educator. I am grateful to be able to access high quality lecture like this for free.

[dannyholley]

Imagine the world we'd craft for ourselves if all science was communicated so brilliantly and unpretentiously. Bravo.

[letmecomentalready]

I'm here after reading her book "The Epigenetics Revolution" to learn about possible updates in the field since it came out a few years ago. I would highly suggest the book to anyone as I had no background knowledge other than high school Biology and yet every chapter would blow me away.

[Ancor]

This has to be one of the most interesting presentations I've seen in a while. Absolutely fascinating.

[cerambyx-]

The 8 proteins are histones and form a protein complex known as a histone octamer, which is spool shaped (marshmallows were used in the demonstration). The 8 proteins in the histone octamer are actually 2 copies of 4 proteins, H2A, H2B, H3 and H4. DNA wraps around the histone octamer known as a nucleosome and they form chains like beads on a string making up chromatin. A nucleosome can be defined as a small length of DNA wrapped around eight histone proteins. The key difference between chromatin and nucleosome is that chromatin is a whole structure of complex DNA and proteins while nucleosome is a basic unit of chromatin. The beads on a string make up something called euchromatin or open chromatin that is enriched in genes and active under transcription (transfer of genetic instructions) which is why it is so important in epigenetics and changes in the phenotype (physical traits- e.g. appearance).

[arijkhan]

I absolutely have to watch this again and again. She has few equals in terms of clarity and lucidity. I am going to forward this to my entire family. One of the most interesting topics explained by one of the best presenters.

[sihintas]

Amazing lecture! She takes complicated information and breaks it down into interesting info using jokes, history, stories, movies and more! Brilliant!

[bonniebabird]

Finally! we have an exciting, summation of information about this field! Thank you for posting. Best explanations, clear analogies and diagrams I've ever found .I've been interested in this field for many years, though no longer a formal student. This great video brings me up to date.

[Slava-omsz]

This was the the biggest eye opener for me in the past years. This knowledge opens so many doors.

[TheAIEpiphany]

Superb presentation skills! Just the right amount of humor, story telling and information transfer to resonate with almost everyone.

[DrJeeps]

Wonderful talk! I can't get enough of these Royal Institution lectures.

[mariusciobanu]

This is absolutely incredible! I'm completely floored.

[marcusraad]

You make it so easy to absorb! You're an amazing professor! Thank you!

[ayetreyyy]

Reading her book now after watching this a few months ago! Brilliant and exciting literature! Epigenetics is such a fascinating field! This is telling us how we can affect our future progeny!

[deloriseconover]

Absolutely brilliant presentation. I just wanted to learn a little for my pathophysiology class and left amazed!

[tafrinadubois]

fantastic delivery of a fantastically fascinating subject -- thoroughly enjoyable, especially being a twin myself.

[betulipekozturk]

I'm currently reading 'Junk DNA' and I can assure you that it is really informative and it doesn't bore you. As a first-year medical college student, it is really helpful to visualize the epigenetic differentiation. Examples she gives are hilarious.

[Enonymouse_]

Fascinating subject, i'd never heard of this subject before. Props to the lecturer for giving such an entertaining lecture on a complicated subject! I hope you have her back again.

[TreyPrankz]

SO intriguing! How the things, habits, nutrients we do now can genetically modify our future progeny!

[JurijFedorov]

She destroys it. Good talk. Her book gets a bit complicated at times but this is spot on.