A conference this week about the clinical significance of epigenetics
[PRESS INVITATION 2011-04-04] How much do our genes control us; how great a role does the environment play? These questions will be discussed at a conference on epigenetics - a rapidly growing field of research that attempts to understand how heredity and environment interact in humans.
Epigenetics deals with how environmental impact during life can change the way in which an individual´s genes are expressed, switching them on or off, for example. There is growing evidence that epigenetic mechanisms are important in many diseases, and that they affect also the properties of offspring.
"The human genome, including many of the risk genes for diseases, has now been mapped. But research into understanding how the function of genes is influenced by interaction with the environment is in its infancy. Epigenetics is the next major challenge and opportunity for clinical biomedical research", says Professor Ingemar Ernberg, organiser of the conference.
Swedish and international experts will discuss during the three-day conference the most recent research into the significance of epigenetics in various fields such as cardio-vascular disease, inflammation, cancer, the brain, psychiatry and diabetes.
Journalists are welcome to attend the lectures and interview scientists, on application.
- Date: Monday 4-Wednesday 6 April
- Location: Nobel Forum, Nobels väg 1, Karolinska Institutet Campus Solna