How genetics and environment work together to shape our destiny: Milena Georgieva at TEDxAUBG

Summary

This presentation explores the significance of DNA in defining life, highlighting its universal structure and the groundbreaking Human Genome Project. It delves into epigenetics, explaining how environmental factors influence gene expression beyond genetic code, and emphasizes the importance of being mindful of our lifestyle choices as they can impact our DNA and future generations.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Biology is a natural science that studies life, and DNA is the fundamental molecule that makes organisms living creatures.
• 🔬 The structure of DNA was discovered about 60 years ago, and the scientists who made this discovery were awarded the Nobel Prize.
• 🧬 DNA has a consistent chemical composition across almost all organisms, consisting of four letters: C, A, T, and G.
• 🧬🧬 The sequencing of the human genome, which involves determining the order of the four DNA letters, is a massive task with over three billion letters in human DNA.
• 🌐 The Human Genome Project, completed at the beginning of the new millennium, was a monumental effort involving thousands of scientists across multiple countries.
• 🐒 The genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees is only 1.5%, highlighting the importance of understanding how similar genomes can result in different expressions.
• 🧠 The question of what makes DNA express differently in different organisms is a central focus in modern biology, moving beyond just the DNA sequence itself.
• 🧬💻 DNA is not just a biological molecule; it's also seen as the 'hardware' of our biological systems, with epigenetics acting as the 'software' that controls gene expression.
• 🌱 Epigenetics, which means 'beyond DNA', provides information that is not coded in our genes and controls how our genome is expressed.
• 🌿 Environmental factors such as diet, lifestyle, and even social interactions can influence our epigenetics, affecting how our DNA is expressed and potentially impacting future generations.
• 🔬🧪 Research in molecular biology labs is focused on understanding how various stress conditions, including UV radiation and food additives, affect DNA and the epigenome.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the presentation?

The main topic of the presentation is the role of DNA in defining living organisms and the importance of understanding its structure and function in the field of biology.

What is the significance of DNA according to the speaker?

DNA is significant because it is the universal molecule present in every living cell, serving as the 'language of life' and determining the characteristics of all organisms.

What was a major scientific achievement related to DNA about 60 years ago?

About 60 years ago, the structure of DNA was discovered, which led to the Nobel Prize being awarded to the scientists who made this groundbreaking discovery.

What is the human genome sequencing?

Human genome sequencing is the process of determining the exact order of the four chemical bases (A, T, C, and G) along the DNA strand, which amounts to about three billion letters in the human genome.

When was the first draft of the human genome project announced?

The first draft of the human genome project was announced at the beginning of the new millennium, approximately 50 years after the discovery of DNA's structure.

What is the genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees as mentioned in the script?

The genetic difference between humans and chimpanzees is only 1.5%, indicating a high degree of genetic similarity between the two species.

What is the main question that scientists started asking after the sequencing of the human genome?

The main question scientists started asking was why the same DNA functions differently in different organisms and what makes us different despite having similar genomes.

What is epigenetics and how does it relate to our DNA?

Epigenetics is the study of changes in organisms caused by modification of gene expression rather than alteration of the genetic code itself. It means 'beyond DNA' and provides information that controls and regulates our genome, telling identical genomes to express differently.

How does the environment influence our epigenome?

The environment influences our epigenome through various stimuli such as diet, lifestyle, and social interactions, which can affect gene expression and potentially lead to changes that are passed on to future generations.

What does the speaker suggest as a way to be responsible for our DNA?

The speaker suggests being aware of the impact of our lifestyle and environment on our epigenome, and making choices that promote health and well-being, as these can influence the genetic information transmitted to our descendants.

What role do food colorants have in the context of DNA health according to the speaker's research?

According to the speaker's research, certain food colorants such as Fast Green, Indigo Carmine, and Erythrosine can cause extensive DNA damage when healthy cells are treated with them, indicating that they should be used cautiously.