Podcast appearances and mentions of Moshe Szyf

BUFFALO, NY — February 24, 2025 — A new #researchpaper was #published in Aging (Aging-US) on January 22, 2025, in Volume 17, Issue 1, titled “EpiAge: a next-generation sequencing-based ELOVL2 epigenetic clock for biological age assessment in saliva and blood across health and disease.” The research team, experts from both industry (EpiMedTech Global, HKG Epitherapeutics Ltd) and academic institutions (McGill University, Oxford University, University of Catania, and the Research Institute-IRCCS), led by first author David Cheishvili and corresponding author Moshe Szyf, have developed EpiAgePublic, a new method to estimate biological age using only three key DNA sites in the ELOVL2 gene, a well-known marker of aging. Unlike traditional methods that require analyzing thousands of DNA regions, this approach simplifies the process while maintaining accuracy. Their findings show that EpiAgePublic performs as well as, or even better than, more complex models in predicting biological age in diverse populations. Biological age measures how fast or slow a person's body is aging. It can be different from chronological age and is influenced by genetics, lifestyle, and health conditions. Understanding biological aging can help researchers and clinicians identify age-related diseases like Alzheimer's disease and develop anti-aging treatments. However, many existing biological age tests rely on expensive and complicated processes. The EpiAgePublic model overcomes these challenges with a simple yet powerful approach. The study analyzed data from over 4,600 individuals across different health conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and HIV. It confirmed that EpiAgePublic accurately tracks aging patterns and can identify factors such as chronic illness or stress that accelerate the aging process. Importantly, the researchers demonstrated that the test works well using saliva samples, offering a convenient and non-invasive alternative to blood-based tests. This makes it easier to conduct epigenetic age testing in both clinical and research settings. “The simplicity and precision of epiAgePublic, designed for compatibility with next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, mark a significant step forward in the field of epigenetic research.” The ability to measure epigenetic aging with a quick and cost-effective test has significant implications for healthcare, longevity research, and personalized medicine. This method could be used in hospitals, wellness clinics, and longevity studies to track aging and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions. It may also help clinicians detect early signs of aging-related diseases, allowing for better preventive care. Finally, the study's findings highlight the advantages of next-generation sequencing in epigenetic research, leading the way for more precise and accessible aging diagnostics. Future research will explore how this model can be expanded to other health conditions and used in routine medical practice. DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206188 Corresponding author - Moshe Szyf - moshe.szyf@epimedtech.com Author interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA8Vctks0gY Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206188 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Dr. Moshe Szyf from EpiMedTech Global in Singapore discusses a research paper he co-authored that was published in Volume 17, Issue 1 of Aging (Aging-US), entitled “EpiAge: a next-generation sequencing-based ELOVL2 epigenetic clock for biological age assessment in saliva and blood across health and disease.” DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206188 Corresponding author - Moshe Szyf - moshe.szyf@epimedtech.com Video interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NA8Vctks0gY Video transcript - https://www.aging-us.com/interviews/epiage-ngs-based-elovl2-epigenetic-clock-for-biological-age-assessment Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206188 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, epigenetic clock, elovl2, next-generation sequencing, EpiAge, Alzheimer's disease About Aging-US The mission of the journal is to understand the mechanisms surrounding aging and age-related diseases, including cancer as the main cause of death in the modern aged population. The journal aims to promote 1) treatment of age-related diseases by slowing down aging, 2) validation of anti-aging drugs by treating age-related diseases, and 3) prevention of cancer by inhibiting aging. (Cancer and COVID-19 are age-related diseases.) Please visit our website at https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@AgingJournal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc MEDIA@IMPACTJOURNALS.COM

Welcome to the Green Rush, a weekly conversation at the intersection of cannabis, psychedelics, the capital markets, and culture, produced by KCSA Podcast Labs. Today, we have a special episode featuring our newest production, Alternatively Speaking. In our debut season, we're diving into a revolutionary concept in health span, longevity, and healthcare. Our hosts sat down with Dr. Moshe Szyf, a pioneering figure in the field of epigenetics with a career spanning over three and a half decades. A founding figure in behavioral and psychiatric epigenetics, Dr. Szyf has authored over 300 influential papers that have significantly contributed to our understanding of how environmental factors and behaviors can influence gene expression without altering the DNA sequence itself.  Dr. Szyf serves as Chairman, CEO, and Chief Scientific Officer of HKG Epitherapeutics, focusing on developing epigenetic tools for clinical medicine, early disease detection, and personalized healthcare. He also currently holds the prestigious position of James McGill Professor of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University in Montreal, where he also holds the GlaxoSmithKline Chair in Pharmacology.  Podcast Highlights: Introduction to Epigenetics (00:11 - 02:37): Dr. Moshe Szyf is introduced as a pioneer in epigenetics. The concept of epigenetics is explained as the "software" that programs DNA, influencing how genes function without changing the DNA sequence itself. HKG Epitherapeutics and Epigenetic Testing (02:38 - 06:05): Discussion of Dr. Szyf's company, HKG Epitherapeutics, which develops epigenetic tests for early disease detection, aging assessment, and health monitoring. Epigenetics vs. Traditional Testing (06:06 - 09:44): Explanation of how epigenetic testing differs from traditional blood tests and genetic testing, offering insights into the dynamic changes happening at the DNA level. Consumer Impact and Health Empowerment (09:45 - 14:42): Examples of how consumers have used epigenetic tests to gain insights into their biological age and health status, leading to lifestyle changes. COVID-19's Impact on Healthcare Autonomy (29:38 - 33:40): Discussion on how the pandemic has led to increased public interest in personal health management and a shift towards more patient autonomy in healthcare decisions. Future of Precision Medicine (39:12 - 42:06): Dr. Szyf's views on the role of epigenetics in precision medicine, particularly in guiding personalized drug treatments and lifestyle interventions. Ethical Considerations and Balanced Approach to Longevity (34:55 - 39:11): Dr. Szyf's perspective on extreme anti-aging approaches, emphasizing the importance of balance and quality of life over extreme life extension methods. Future Developments in Epigenetics (43:25 - 45:37): Discussion of anticipated breakthroughs in epigenetic technology, including improved accuracy in testing and applications for early detection of various chronic diseases. Social Media: LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/moshe-szyf-99ab283/?originalSubdomain=ca  @epimedtech https://twitter.com/epimedtech  Other Links/Mentions/Resources: EpiMedTechGlobal https://epimedtech.com/  Dr. Szyf's Ted Talk https://www.ted.com/talks/moshe_szyf_how_early_life_experience_is_written_into_dna?subtitle=en  CDC Resources for Epigenetics https://www.cdc.gov/genomics-and-health/about/epigenetic-impacts-on-health.html  Show Credits: This episode was hosted by Anne Donohoe and Phil Carlson of KCSA Strategic Communications.  Special thanks to our Program Director, Shea Gunther, and Executive Producer, Maria Petsanas. You can learn more about how KCSA can help your cannabis and psychedelic companies by visiting www.kcsa.com or emailing greenrush@kcsa.com. You can also connect with us via our social channels: X: @KCSAPodcastLabs Instagram: @KCSAPodcastLabs LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.

This week's guest is Professor Moshe Szyf. This is the second story of hope for us as a species. We have a level of control over our outcome that is baked into our DNA. Dr. Moshe Szyf joins the show today to discuss the social programming of the epigenome. Dr. Szyf and his colleague Dr. Meaney proposed over two decades ago the first set of evidence that the “social environment” early in life can alter DNA methylation launching the emerging field of “social epigenetics”. He also has illustrated that DNA methylation is a prime therapeutic target in cancer and other diseases to be explored and potentially manipulated for health. "Together, they discovered that our genetic code, the actual sequential structure of our DNA, can pretty much shrug off the influence of any external environmental factors, short of massive radiation. However, the expression of individual genes within that sequence can be permanently altered by such seemingly innocuous influences as diet or how others treat us. Once triggered, a group of molecules called a methyl group attaches itself to the control centre of a gene, permanently switching on or off the manufacture of proteins that are essential to the workings of every cell in our body. In most tumours, this DNA methylation pattern has been knocked awry, leading to a gene being completely deactivated or triggered to abnormally high activity." (McGill Reporter) Dr. Szyf received his Ph. D from the Hebrew University and did his postdoctoral fellowship in Genetics at Harvard Medical School before he joined the department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He currently holds the James McGill Professorship in Pharmacology. He is the founding co-director of the Sackler Institute for Epigenetics and Psychobiology at McGill and is a Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Experience-based Brain and Biological Development program. Szyf has been the founder of the first “Pharma” to develop epigenetic pharmacology “Methylgene Inc.” and the first journal in epigenetics “Epigenetics”. Please enjoy my conversation with Dr. Moshe Szyf, Enjoy, Dr. M

This podcast is a commentary and does not contain any copyrighted material of the reference source. We strongly recommend accessing/buying the reference source at the same time. ■Reference Source https://www.ted.com/talks/moshe_szyf_how_early_life_experience_is_written_into_dna ■Post on this topic (You can get FREE learning materials!) https://englist.me/129-academic-words-reference-from-moshe-szyf-how-early-life-experience-is-written-into-dna-ted-talk/ ■Youtube Video https://youtu.be/ECem_xJ6e0w (All Words) https://youtu.be/1VP7NfpAn3I (Advanced Words) https://youtu.be/giWMyUSjjMI (Quick Look) ■Top Page for Further Materials https://englist.me/ ■SNS (Please follow!)

For the past few episodes of Your Stories Don't Define You, we've focused on a theme of self-reflection as a tool for inspiring leadership and finding greater satisfaction at work and at home. Episode 104, published in December 2019 with Rajkumari Neogy is a perfect addition to the theme, so we thought we'd bring it back for another look. Check it out today! During our conversation about resilience and the impact of genetics on trauma, Rajkumari mentioned two scientists well-regarded in the field of epigenetics, Rachel Yehuda and Moshe Szyf.  From an interview with Dr. Yehuda: “Rachel Yehuda is a pioneer in understanding how the effects of stress and trauma can transmit biologically, beyond cataclysmic events, to the next generation.” Also mentioned was a book by Sarah Peyton, Your Resonant Self, which you can find here.   “Based on our environment, based on the behavior that we experience both to ourselves and others, it directly impacts how our genes express themselves.” -Rajkumari Neogy   Discovering Clarity One Bite at a Time course is now available! *podcast show notes contributed by Tracy Ackeret —  About Rajkumari Neogy: ‘Rajkumari Neogy, MA has spent 25 years at the intersection of technology and culture. She is the creator of the epigenetic coaching framework and the author of The WIT FACTOR: Shifting the Workplace by Becoming Your Optimal Self. She sits quite comfortably at the intersections of Interpersonal Neurobiology, Culture, Technology, and Empathic Language for Business. A rare blend of techno-babble and touchy-feely invites her keen insights to transform individuals and organizations organically.' Check out Rajkumari's Website, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.  --- ABOUT SARAH: "Uncovering the right stories for the right audiences so executives, leaders, public speakers, and job seekers can clearly and actively demonstrate their character, values, and vision." In my work with coaching clients, I guide people to improve their communication using storytelling as the foundation of our work together. What I've realized over years of coaching and podcasting is that the majority of people don't realize the impact of the stories they share - on their internal messages, and on the people they're sharing them with. My work with leaders and people who aspire to be leaders follows a similar path to the interviews on my podcast, uncovering pivotal moments in their lives and learning how to share them to connect more authentically with others, to make their presentations and speaking more engaging, to reveal patterns that have kept them stuck or moved them forward, and to improve their relationships at work and at home. The audiobook, Your Stories Don't Define You, How You Tell Them Will is now available! Included with your purchase are two bonus tracks, songs recorded by Sarah's band, Spare Change, in her living room in Montana.  

Reversing DNA methylation can result in restoration of vision loss in old mice (Lu 2020).  Can human epigenetic methylation clocks be reversed using relatively straightforward lifestyle changes?  Dr Kara Fitzgerald  is on the faculty at the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM) and is an IFM Certified Practitioner. She received her doctorate in naturopathic medicine from the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Dr. Fitzgerald runs a Functional Medicine Clinic Immersion program for professionals, hosts a very popular podcast New Frontiers in Functional Medicine, and maintains an active blog on her website.  Her new book 'Younger You' is coming out in Jan 2022.  Please join Dr Kara Fitzgerald for this masterclass in human epigenetic DNA methylation manipulation.Take away points: -Increased DNA methylation age is associated with no significant net methylation change.-~25% of methylation clock sites are related to glucocorticoid response elements underscoring the relationship of stress and aging.—Supplemental methylation helpers (folate, b12, choline, etc) have a narrow effective range- with too little or too much having negative consequences.-Lifestyle changes can reverse DNA methylation age in humans.00:00 Kara's vision for reversing global epidemic of chronic disease03:10 Appeal of naturopathic medicine as a systems model similar to functional medicine 06:04 Value of -omics; epigenomics, metabolomics, and microbiomics07:39 DNA methylation process and epigenetic age11:39 No net change in methylation with aging, just rearrangement of sites12:25 Dose response of dietary methyl donors15:18 Horvath methylation clock used in paper19:23 Components of the lifestyle intervention 25:32 Effect on triglycerides28:34 Options for vegans instead of liver as a methyl donor32:05 Ongoing program and forthcoming book35:05 Personal lifestyle choices37:02 10 cups of vegetables a day, 12 hour fast per day 38:03 Exercise, relaxation, and sleep choices  https://www.drkarafitzgerald.com/ Lu, Yuancheng, Benedikt Brommer, Xiao Tian, Anitha Krishnan, Margarita Meer, Chen Wang, Daniel L. Vera, et al. “Reprogramming to Recover Youthful Epigenetic Information and Restore Vision.” Nature 588, no. 7836 (December 3, 2020): 124–29. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2975-4. Fitzgerald, Kara N., Romilly Hodges, Douglas Hanes, Emily Stack, David Cheishvili, Moshe Szyf, Janine Henkel, et al. “Potential Reversal of Epigenetic Age Using a Diet and Lifestyle Intervention: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.” Aging 13, no. 7 (April 15, 2021): 9419–32. https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.202913.*** SUBSCRIBE TO ROBERT LUFKIN MD YOUTUBE CHANNEL HERE ***https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2w2eKHmcRXuGR8RmTgUv3Q*** CONNECT WITH ROBERT LUFKIN MD ON SOCIAL MEDIA ***Web: https://robertlufkinmd.com/Twitter:https://twitter.com/robertlufkinmdNOTE: This is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have seen here.Disclaimer: We are ambassadors or affiliates for many of the brands we reference on the channel. ------------------------------------------------------------------------#longevity  #wellness #antiaging #biologicalage #lifestylemedicine #younger #epigenetics #biohacking  #RobertLufkinMD #Karafitzgerald

Dr. Szyf is a pioneer in the field of epigenetics, he holds a PhD from the celebrated Hebrew University, a postdoctoral  fellowship in Genetics at Harvard Medical School, a Professorship at McGill University and a Chair in Pharmacology at GlaxoSmithKline. 5:33 DNA as the operating system of our lives   6:14 Disease causes disruption in the DNA   6:41 DNA methylation gives us an insight into what’s going on in our DNA   7:07 Epi Age testing can tell us how many years we’ve been living in this world, and may give insight into how many years we may have left   8:02 Chronological age and epigenetic age can be good indicators for life span   11:17 Epi Age is a lifestyle product   12:59 Identifying the markers for aging   14:23 How Epi Age is different    17:05 What are the most effective ways to slow down the clock?   17:29 Behaviours that can help slow down the clock   18:28 epiAging app   19:51 epiAge test results tell you what you’re DNA thinks of what you’re doing   22:21 The first step in slowing down the clock is to get to a state of balance   23:58 Using AI to derive some conclusions from an individual result against a general lifestyle model   24:30 The great revolution will come from mathematics and technology to capture the complexity of humans   26:24 The idea of sharing -- creating a “Waze” of health   27:08 Health data safety and privacy   28:06 Balancing privacy and sharing -- learning about diseases without consequences to the individual   29:00 Sharing public methylation data can help save millions of lives   31:19 Firewalled personal data and medical data  -a solution to protect the individual   32:25 Goal: To get the best solutions to prevent anyone to hack the database   33:41 The collaboration between Epi-Age and users    36:41 The best way to use the Epi-Age test   40:25 Transferring the responsibility of health from your doctor to yourself   40:45 Experience as a teacher   41:10 Trial, error, and scientific truth   41:36 Self-empowerment and the biohacking movement   43:22 Technology empowers people about medicine   44:37 epiAge app as a source of information for lifestyle trends   48:11 Environmental influence on genetics   49:38 The impact of your mental environment on your health   50:02 Listen to your own clock   Ordering tests: Epi-Age.com Use Promo code Longevity to get 10% off the cost of your test….   Link to Dr Szyf’s Ted Talk:  https://youtu.be/38OUCtzkT4Q   Please note that this content  is intended for information purposes only and is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Before changing your diet or using any new supplement make sure to consult with your health care provider.  Always seek the advice of your physician or health care provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding a medical condition before you make any changes.

Thank you to this episode's sponsor, TherapyNotes. Get a 2-month free trial of TherapyNotes by going to www.TherapyNotes.com and using the promo code TherapyChat.  Welcome back! In this week's episode host Laura Reagan, LCSW-C interviews an expert on workplace culture and its influence on employees. Rajkumari Neogy, the author of "The WIT Factor: Shifting the Workplace Paradigm by Becoming Your Optimal Self," discusses the importance of a workplace environment that makes employees feel a sense of belonging. Rajkumar, who holds a master’s degree in Transformative Leadership Development from the California Institute of Integral Studies describes his experience working at Facebook and other iconic organizations in the Silicon Valley, and why she became a leadership coach based on those experiences. You will hear: - How epigenetics factor into creating an inclusive workplace culture - Why leaders should care about "being nice" to their employees - How just as we can rewire our neural pathways, a corporate culture can be rewired to make everyone working there feel safe using principles of polyvagal theory. Rajkumari Neogy is an epigenetic coach and executive consultant focused on the intersection of neurobiology, culture and empathy in today’s business world. Possessing a rare blend of scientific prowess and emotion, Neogy believes that passionate self-reflection coupled with dedicated curiosity define true leadership. Specializing in the technology sector, Neogy has worked with high-powered, worldwide organizations for more than two decades, training leaders at Google, Facebook, Adobe, Indeed, Slack, Salesforce and numerous others. Neogy is based in San Francisco. Thank you to Doxy.me for sponsoring this week's episode of Therapy Chat. Doxy.me is an easy to use, HIPAA compliant telehealth platform that is available in free and paid versions. Get $50 off a paid account by going to doxy.me and putting in the code THERAPYCHAT. Resources Learn more about Rajkumari's at his website: www.rajkumarineogy.com  The On Being podcast episode with Resmaa Mekanem: https://onbeing.org/programs/resmaa-menakem-notice-the-rage-notice-the-silence/  Dr. Moshe Szyf on YouTube talking about epigenetics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEAJmDPJz_I  Leave me a message via Speakpipe by going to https://therapychatpodcast.com and clicking on the green Speakpipe button. Thank you for listening to Therapy Chat! Please be sure to go to iTunes and leave a rating and review, subscribe and download episodes. You can also download the Therapy Chat app on iTunes by clicking here. Podcast produced by Pete Bailey - https://petebailey.net/audio

Rajkumari Neogi loved her job, but couldn’t shake the feeling of being excluded. As a leader in the organization, it was difficult to pinpoint where that feeling of dissatisfaction and exclusion was coming from because she had a great boss and an engaged team, but something just wasn’t right. So many of us feel disconnected from the communities we’re expected to feel close to, the community at work, at church or synagogue, even with our own families. Many of us feel like we’re out here on our own, like we simply don’t belong to any one community, like we just don’t fit in anywhere. When Rajkumari left her job, her ultimate goal was to learn more about why those feelings were so persistent, to study the neurobiology behind those feelings of disconnection and exclusion, even when there was no evidence to support her sense of exclusion. During our conversation about resilience and the impact of genetics on trauma, Rajkumari mentioned two scientists well-regarded in the field of epigenetics, Rachel Yehuda and Moshe Szyf. From an interview with Dr. Yehuda: “Rachel Yehuda is a pioneer in understanding how the effects of stress and trauma can transmit biologically, beyond cataclysmic events, to the next generation.”(Link to interview.) Also mentioned was a book by Sarah Peyton, Your Resonant Self, which you can find here. Our conversation spanned from that feeling of exclusion and where it comes from, to the strategies we can use to address trauma in our bodies and minds. Rajkumari is committed to self-reflection to continue to grow and improve as a coach, to and bring others along for that journey. Connect with Rajkumari on LinkedIn, and visit her website to learn more about the extraordinary work she is doing with leaders & teams.

Dr. Moshe Szyf, one of the preeminent pioneers in the field of epigenetics, provides an interesting overview of his life's work and specialization in social epigenetics. Dr. Szyf earned a PhD from the Hebrew University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Genetics at Harvard Medical School. Working, researching, and educating through his James McGill Professorship and as a GlaxoSmithKline-CIHR Chair in Pharmacology, Dr. Szyf is breaking new ground in the field of epigenetics. Dr. Szyf discusses his background, 40 years of scientific research in epigenetics devoted to understanding how genes can be programmed, with an intense focus on how different experiences in life impact their programming. Dr. Szyf's lab proposed that DNA methylation is a chief therapeutic target specific to cancer as well as other diseases, and they provided the initial set of evidence supporting the concept that the ‘social environment' early in life may in fact alter DNA methylation. His lab's work essentially debuted the field that is known today as, social epigenetics. The research scientist talks in detail about some of his early observations with rats, discussing how rats that lick their pups more frequently effectively alter their pups' lives for when they become adult rats themselves they will have different stress responsivity and different characteristics. Thus, high maternal care shapes the lifelong behavior and physical characteristics of their offspring. Dr. Szyf's work, as he states, is focused on fully grasping how these actions and behaviors alter how genes are programmed. Dr. Szyf discusses the methods they use to study specific epigenetic changes, discussing in detail—proteins, DNA, and the various factors that impact genes and gene programming. Dr. Szyf talks about the many broad areas of application that the study of epigenetics can lend support to, from understanding aging to disease development. Dr. Szyf provides a wealth of information on the changes in cancer cells, systemic changes, and the specific alterations in various genes. And he discusses epigenetic approaches to manage/prevent/intervene in cancer without needing to resort to the traditional, and toxic, solutions currently used to treat cancer in the modern world of medicine. Dr. Szyf is the co-director of the Sackler Institute for Epigenetics and Psychobiology at McGill and an esteemed Fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research Experience-based Brain and Biological Development program.

Original broadcast date: August 25, 2017. How much of who we are is biology? How much is learned? And how much can we change? This hour, TED speakers on how genes and experience collaborate — and compete — to make us who we are. TED speakers include neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, epigeneticist Moshe Szyf, pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris, and psychologist Brian Little.

According to David Moore, PhD and faculty member in the Psychological Field Group at Pitzer College, there's good reason to believe that “genes” as we've come to commonly understand them don't actually exist; they aren't segments of DNA which start and stop at discrete points, they don't fulfill just one role in one context, and their expression or lack thereof is not immune to environmental influences. In fact, most molecular biologists would say that there is no single agreed-upon definition of a gene. Dr. Moore joins the podcast to explore the topic of epigenetics: the phenomenon by which our experiences and environmental factors influence our genes and contribute to our characteristics. These environmental stimuli include the food we eat, how we exercise, the drugs we consume, our experiences in childhood, the level at which we socially interact as adults, and socioeconomic status. For example, a 2004 study conducted by Michael Meaney and Moshe Szyf showed an association between the level of grooming a pup receives from its mother and reactivity to stress in adulthood: the more grooming a pup received, the less reactive it was to stress stimuli as an adult. This finding, labelled by the authors as “epigenetic programming,” has been challenged by many, yet evidence that supports it continues to grow.  This is just a snippet of the fascinating conversation Dr. Moore offers, which touches on topics such as in utero epigenetics, whether epigenetic states can be changed or reversed once they've been established, how the most common antidepressants have been shown to produce epigenetic changes, and the controversial idea that epigenetic changes are inheritable. He also discusses his most recent research, which involves studying mental rotation in human infants—an ability considered the single biggest sex difference in cognition that's unrelated to reproduction. Tune in for the details and visit http://pzacad.pitzer.edu/~dmoore/ to learn more. 

How much of who we are is biology? How much is learned? And how much can we change? This hour, TED speakers on how genes and experience collaborate — and compete — to make us who we are. Guests include neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky, epigeneticist Moshe Szyf, pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris, and psychologist Brian Little.

Dr. Moshe Szyf is a pioneer in the field of epigenetics, the study of how living things reprogram their genome in response to social factors like stress and lack of food. His research suggests that...

Moshe Szyf is a pioneer in the field of epigenetics, the study of how living things reprogram their genome in response to social factors like stress and lack of food. His research suggests that biochemical signals passed from mothers to offspring tell the child what kind of world they're going to live in, changing the expression of genes. "DNA isn't just a sequence of letters; it's not just a script." Szyf says. "DNA is a dynamic movie in which our experiences are being written." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Moshe Szyf est un pionnier dans le domaine de l'épigénétique, l'étude de la manière dont les êtres vivants reprogramment leur génome en réponse à des facteurs sociaux comme le stress et le manque de nourriture. Ses recherches suggèrent que des signaux biochimiques passant de la mère à sa progéniture indiquent à l'enfant dans quel type de monde il vivra, en changeant l'expression de ses gènes. « L'ADN n'est pas une simple séquence de lettres, ce n'est pas un simple script, dit Szyf. L'ADN est un film dynamique dans lequel s'écrivent nos expériences. »

Moshe Szyf é um pioneiro no campo da epigenética, o estudo de como os seres vivos reprogramam seu genoma em resposta a fatores sociais como o estresse e a falta de comida. Sua pesquisa sugere que sinais bioquímicos passados da mãe para seus filhotes dizem a estes em que tipo de mundo eles vão viver, mudando a expressão dos genes. "O DNA não é apenas uma sequência de letras; não é apenas um roteiro", diz Szyf. "O DNA é um filme dinâmico no qual nossas experiências estão sendo gravadas."

Moshe Szyf es un pionero en el campo de la epigenética, el estudio sobre cómo los seres vivos reprograman su genoma en respuesta a factores sociales como el estrés y la falta de alimento. Su investigación sugiere que las señales bioquímicas se transmiten desde las madres hasta sus crías, las que comunican a los hijos el tipo de mundo en el que vivirán, cambiando la expresión de los genes. "El ADN es una película dinámica en la cual nuestras experiencias están siendo escritas".

모셰 스지프는 후생학 분야의 선구적인 연구자입니다. 후생학은 생명체가 스트레스나 식량 부족 같은 사회적 요인에 대한 반응으로 어떻게 유전자를 다시 프로그램하는지를 연구하는 학문입니다. 그는 연구를 통하여 어머니에게서 자식에게 전달되는 생화학적 신호가 자식들에게 그들이 장차 어떤 세상에서 살아가게 될 지를 알려주고, 유전자의 발현을 바꾼다고 주장합니다. "DNA는 단순히 일련의 문자가 아닙니다. 이미 쓰여 있는 대로 실행되는 각본이 아닙니다." 스지프가 말씀드립니다. "DNA는 우리 경험이 쓰여진 동적인 영화입니다."

Moshe Szyf is a pioneer in the field of epigenetics, the study of how living things reprogram their genome in response to social factors like stress and lack of food. His research suggests that biochemical signals passed from mothers to offspring tell the child what kind of world they're going to live in, changing the expression of genes. "DNA isn't just a sequence of letters; it's not just a script." Szyf says. "DNA is a dynamic movie in which our experiences are being written."

Have you been wondering what you should really do with the 23andme genetic data that you’ve gathered? Wondering if you should even take the test at all? Or wondering what the future of genetic/epigenetic medicine is? This podcast is for you. I am especially excited to bring you this conversation with epigenetic legend, Dr. Moshe Szyf. The study of epigenetics is continually breaking new ground in understanding how our environment dramatically influences our gene expression. With myriad published research studies and his ongoing work, Dr. Szyf is at the forefront in shaping this evolution. The power of epigenetics to alter the course of our health is compelling, and I hope you will enjoy the discussion we had, which I hope will be one of many.

Moshe Szyf, vid McGill University i Kanada, är en av världens ledande forskare inom epigenetik, dvs hur miljö och erfarenheter påverkar användningen av våra gener. T ex tycks trauman i barndomen inverka på stresskänsligheten under hela livet.