Do you have Mum’s eyes – and Dad’s stress?
We are all familiar with the inheritance of physical traits, such as eye colour, or genetic predispositions to certain diseases. We also recognize how aspects of personality can be passed on through behaviour and upbringing. But can parental experiences – particularly stressful or traumatic ones – also leave a molecular imprint that influences the next generation? In this presentation, we explore the biological mechanisms through which stress shapes individuals and, potentially, their offspring. We will discuss how stress can have both adaptive and adverse effects at the molecular level, and consider emerging evidence for its intergenerational transmission.
Finally, we will reflect on possible strategies to mitigate these effects and the broader implications for society.
Prof. Katharina Gapp
Assistant Professor, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zurich.
Do you have Mum’s eyes – and Dad’s stress?
August 26 @ 19:00 - 21:30
We are all familiar with the inheritance of physical traits, such as eye colour, or genetic predispositions to certain diseases. We also recognize how aspects of personality can be passed on through behaviour and upbringing. But can parental experiences – particularly stressful or traumatic ones – also leave a molecular imprint that influences the next generation? In this presentation, we explore the biological mechanisms through which stress shapes individuals and, potentially, their offspring. We will discuss how stress can have both adaptive and adverse effects at the molecular level, and consider emerging evidence for its intergenerational transmission.
Finally, we will reflect on possible strategies to mitigate these effects and the broader implications for society.
Prof. Katharina Gapp
Assistant Professor, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zurich.
