Parmita Mishra, Founder and CEO of Precigenetics, dives into the fascinating world of precision medicine and epigenetics. She breaks down complex concepts like gene regulation and the epigenetic influences on conditions like male pattern baldness versus sickle cell anemia. Parmita also reflects on the importance of communication in science and the need for FDA reform to keep pace with innovative research. With inspiring insights about her journey and her family's impact on public health, she encourages a fresh perspective on biology and entrepreneurship.
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insights INSIGHT
Epigenetics Overview
Epigenetics studies factors beyond genes that influence cell behavior, like switches controlling gene expression.
It explains why cells with identical genes can differentiate into various cell types.
insights INSIGHT
Genetic Complexity
Simple genetic diseases like sickle cell anemia are easier to study because they involve a single gene.
Complex traits like male pattern baldness involve multiple genes and environmental factors.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Learning Biology
To understand biology, start with basic principles, like cellular structure and metabolism, then build upon them.
Avoid clickbait articles with overly assertive headlines, as biology is complex and nuanced.
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Written for the lay reader, 'What Is Life?' is based on a series of public lectures delivered by Erwin Schrödinger in 1943 at Trinity College, Dublin. The book addresses the fundamental question of how living organisms can be understood in terms of their molecular and atomic structure. Schrödinger discusses the stability of genes, the concept of 'negative entropy,' and how life maintains order despite the second law of thermodynamics. He also speculates on the role of mutations, the nature of consciousness, and the philosophical implications of his findings. The book had a significant impact on the development of modern biology, influencing scientists such as James D. Watson and Francis Crick in their discovery of the DNA structure.
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This book by Douglas Hofstadter is a comprehensive and interdisciplinary work that explores the interrelated ideas of Kurt Gödel, M.C. Escher, and Johann Sebastian Bach. It delves into concepts such as self-reference, recursion, and the limits of formal systems, particularly through Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem. The book uses dialogues between fictional characters, including Achilles and the Tortoise, to intuitively present complex ideas before they are formally explained. It covers a wide range of topics including cognitive science, artificial intelligence, number theory, and the philosophy of mind, aiming to understand how consciousness and intelligence emerge from formal systems[2][4][5].
Parmita Mishra is a computational biologist and the founder & CEO of Precigenetics, a company aiming to become a rocket to precision medicine.
Parmita is deeply knowledgeable about cutting-edge biology, particularly epigenetics — how behavior and environment can affect gene function without altering genetic code. Her passion for advancing our understanding of diseases is inspiring (and contagious: OSV is an investor in Parmita’s company!)
In our conversation, Parmita and I discuss everything from the curious case of male baldness to how her parents have saved 50,000 lives.
I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. For the full transcript, highlights, and bucketloads of other goodies designed to make you go, “Hmm, that’s interesting!”, check out our Substack.
Infinite Loops 
