We need more scientists dedicated to epigenetic causes of good/bad health!

English: This image shows a DNA molecule that is methylated on both strands on the center cytosine. DNA methylation plays an important role for epigenetic gene regulation in development and cancer. The picture shows the crystal structure of a short DNA helix with sequence “accgcCGgcgcc”, which is methylated on both strands at the center cytosine. The structure was taken from the Protein Data Bank (accession number 329D), rendering was performed with VMD and post-processing was done in Photoshop. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This young scientist is working on his theses on epigenetics, environment and health. Our diet doesn’t make us sick directly, it affects our genes. Some diets may make cancer more likely, others may make cancer less likely. Our bodies are constantly trying to interface with our complex environment. It does this by switching certain genes ON/OFF based on the environment. These switches are known as epigenetics and can cause obesity, sadness, depression and illnesses. The good news is we can change our environment! This is the power of being human.

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