Epigenetics: How Environment Changes Your Biology

by Charlotte Mykura (Author, Narrator)

Epigenetics is the science of living DNA, charting the chemical pathways that spur DNA into action by turning genes on and off. While the Human Genome Project of the early 2000s was hailed as the key to understanding human heredity and disease, that historic effort was just the beginning. It has taken epigenetics to fill in the picture, explaining how the fixed code of our genome is implemented in countless living processes.

Epigenetics has led to surprises galore, among them that our environment and behavior affects the way our genes work. What’s more, epigenetic research shows that our parents’ environment and behavior also affect our genes, upending the traditional argument on nature versus nurture.

Taught by noted epigeneticist, physician, and science communicator Dr. Charlotte Mykura, Epigenetics: How Environment Changes Your Biology covers the nuts and bolts of this fascinating science in 12 in-depth, half-hour lectures.

Lively and authoritative, Dr. Mykura explains how epigenetics is ubiquitous at the cellular level, influenced by activities like diet and lifestyle. For example, aging is largely an epigenetic phenomenon. So is our susceptibility to many diseases, as well as our body’s ability to fight infection. You learn how epigenetics governs human X and Y chromosomes, the miraculous process of building an embryo, and the transmission of environmental experience between generations. And you investigate how epigenetics evolved in the first place and where the epigenetic universe might take us next, especially in the realm of medicine.

Research in epigenetics has been recognized with several Nobel prizes, and the field will only grow in importance as scientists probe the mystery at the heart of our DNA.

Genres: Science, Audiobook, Nonfiction

Audiobook

Published February 24, 2023

Reviews

[Carlex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apart from some social issues, I try to keep up to date on scientific ones. I graduated in sociology (although I do not work professionally), so my science knowledge comes either from the high school or from my personal curiosity.

  Thanks to this book, I realize my knowledge about genetics is quite outdated since the genetic code - the human genetic code has already been deciphered - is only half of the story and its real functioning can only be understood together with the other half, what is called epigenetics.

  Very simplistically, epigenetics can be defined as the study of how the environment and the history of the individual influence the expression of genes. That is, the hereditary and environmental factors that (through proteins, enzymes, etc.) affect what we know as the phenotype of each individual (plant, animal or human). The author makes the simile that genetics without epigenetic studies is like trying to understand the human body by studying only the skeleton.

  The book fulfills its purpose very well and has helped me catch up, although due to the complexity of the topic it would require a rereading that I will leave for later.

Actually, I have listened to it in audiobook format, and it has been a pleasure to listen to how the author herself passionately explained the secrets of epigenetics.

[AttackGirl · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know me I love me some Edumekayjen !

Another Great Course filled with important interesting information. The course has another great dessert a PDF attachment with great pictures and graphs! How wonderful and inspiring to just make someone want to learn even more.

Keep up the great work Great Courses!

Please note I did not say I agree with the science but at least here someone is stating like I have been saying for years that the “Junk DNA” is not just JUNK. Eventually the science and technology will be able to tell us exactly what everything is and does but for now the earth is still flat.

Remember EVERYTHING Already Exist its just mans attempt to describe it, to understand it, developing the language to talk about what it is.

[Andy]

DNF. Too much Gee Whiz for me.

[Michelle N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic Great Course on Audible, including accompanying detailed PDF.

[Dennis Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epigenetics: How Environment Changes Your Biology by Charlotte Mykura is a fantastic little introduction to the study of the ways in which genetics is expressed beyond the mere presence of genes. The first lecture is pretty dense, focusing on how genes are shaped to show whether or not they are expressed or closed, and the ways in which they can close or open. Some of these changes are permanent, others change almost immediately in response to your own actions. Some, even, appear to be the result of parental and grandparental decisions and actions - maybe. Its worth your time, if you're into this kind of thing.

[Elin · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a somewhat useful primer but I don’t particularly enjoy when scientists anthropomorphs natural processes. Some interesting tidbits but I just don’t think this was the book I was looking for. The narrator/author was really having fun with it and that was nice.

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting and exciting material. We are on the cutting edge of so many amazing discoveries and this serves as a reminder that it is such a wonderful time to be alive and to be an educated and contributing member of society.

[Matthew Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great narration by the Author. Able to articulate the science very well and make it interesting to someone who has not studied in the field

[Camille · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fantastic lecture. Do I know everything about epigenetics now? No, of course not, but I understand the processes and terminology a lot better. What a neat branch of biology!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. Absolutely fascinating!!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a stretch for my brain, the Great courses Plus video version of same helped a bit with visuals but still a stretch to understand much of it.... but the shortening of telemeres with aging!

[Jeff J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

How environment affects genetics.