Epigenetics: Are we more than the sum of our genes?

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Thursday, May 31, 2012, 7 p.m.
The Gladstone Hotel
1214 Queen St. W., Toronto
RSVP: cafescientifique@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

What makes you who you are? As we learn more about the factors that regulate the genetic code, it becomes clearer that what's written in your DNA is only part of the story. Nutrition, embryonic development, early life and social experiences all play an important role in affecting how your genes get expressed throughout life.

Epigenetics is a new field of research that explores how our environment can have a long-term impact on the activity of our genes. In the past, people often thought in simple terms – is it all "nature" or "nurture"? There is growing evidence that our genes "listen" to the environment in complex ways that affect our health and behaviour. Now researchers are looking beyond the genome to the "epigenome" for answers.

Want to learn more? Join us for a discussion with some of the leading Canadian epigenetic researchers.

This free event is hosted by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, in collaboration with the Canadian Epigenetics, Environment and Health Research Consortium. Space is limited.

Experts

Rosanna Weksberg, MD, PhD, FRCPC
Staff Physician
Clinical and Metabolic Genetics
The Hospital for Sick Children
Professor, Pediatrics and Molecular Genetics
University of Toronto

Marla B. Sokolowski, PhD, FRSC
Canada Research Chair in Genetics and Behavioural Neurology
Professor, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
Academic Director
Institute for Human Development
University of Toronto

Art Petronis, MD, PhD
Head, The Krembil Family
Epigenetics Laboratory
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Professor and Tapscott Chair in Schizophrenia Studies
University of Toronto

Moderator

Eric Marcotte, PhD
Associate Director and Strategic Lead
Canadian Epigenetics Environment and Health Research Consortium
Canadian Institutes of Health Research