StarTalk Radio Epigenetics & The Full Story of Inheritance with Bianca Jones Marlin
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Sep 6, 2024 
Bianca Jones Marlin, a neuroscientist and epigeneticist at Columbia University, dives into the fascinating realm of epigenetics, exploring how the traumas and experiences of ancestors can influence future generations. The discussion includes insights on the impact of man-made famines, like the Dutch Hunger Winter, on health outcomes across generations. Marlin explains how trauma can alter genetic expression and discusses experimental findings from mouse studies, shedding light on the hereditary nature of stress responses and behavioral traits.
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Epigenetics Defined
- Epigenetics are markers that sit above the genome, influencing gene expression.
- They determine which genes are read and when, affecting cell differentiation.
Inheritance Types
- Intergenerational inheritance, where parental experiences affect offspring development, is established.
- Transgenerational inheritance, affecting future generations, remains under investigation.
Dutch Hunger Winter
- The Dutch hunger winter serves as a key study on epigenetic inheritance in humans.
- Generations after the famine showed increased health issues like diabetes and schizophrenia.