Event 3

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Event 3
Pattriana Perry


The Construction of the ‘Environment’ in Epigenetics Research: A Social Study
Risk Factors
I went to an event where Clemence Pinel gave an hour-long lecture about the environmental role in epigenetics research. When I first arrived, the room was very small and over-packed. I do not think they planned to host over 40 students. They asked for some people to live because it became a fire hazard; however, I was able to grab an open space and stay. Throughout the lecture, she discussed the two different studies she did in the United Kingdom. There was laboratory A: Breast Cancer molecular biology lab. The two main research areas were glycobiology and epigenetic. The work was centered around two genes aka "our genes". Then there was laboratory B: Computational biology lab. There were three main research areas: epigenetics, microbiome, and transcriptomics The work was centered around their twins data: aka "our twins." After figuring out their research they had to pick which environmental factor they would want to focus due to the many factors they could choose. 

Image result for epigenetics
They decided the first factor would be smoking: " Olivia argues that smoking is a known environmental factor, and a very strong environmental factor" (Clemence Pinel). Due to the fact that the data is "clean" and the analysis possible, it made sense to pick smoking. Smoking is also a risk factor for cancer and a drain on the NHS in the UK. In other words, they are able to receive a lot of money for research. 
Next, she talked about what epigenetics and the environment allowed labs to do since this is a profitable research area. First, it allowed them to gain funding from funding bodies- capital. Second, they were able to publish in high-impact-factor journals. Last, it gave them a lead to therapeutic applications that could be commercialized. Both labs worked with other researchers (PIs) during the experiments. Clemence Pinel proclaimed the importance of making connections and working with other people. I always thought there were research groups in place that could not change. However, I think their way is better and more efficient. For example, one researcher wants to do an experiment but needs a rat, so they call another researcher who also wants to experiment and owns a rat. That way the first researcher can save money and the other researcher can save time by having help. 
I think epigenetics ties back to the biotechnology lecture. They use biology and technology to try an advance the society by researching ways to improve the human life. In addition, they work to create different medicine to heal those in need. Artists have entered laboratories to help explain biological processes. These artists are important in the collaboration for scientific imaging to create new advancements in technology, as discussed in Professor Vesna’s lecture.

 References
The UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics, socgen.ucla.edu/events/the-construction-of-the-environment-in-epigenetics-research-a-social-study/.

 Ekatpure, Sachin. “Epigenetics Mediated Gene Regulation in Plants.” LinkedIn SlideShare, 11 Feb. 2015, www.slideshare.net/SACHINEKATPURE/epigenetics-mediated-gene-regulation-in-plants.

Vesna, Victoria. "BioArt Pt. 3." YouTube. YouTube. Web. 9 May 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PL9DBF43664EAC8BC7&v=3EpD3np1S2g>.

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