Can stress influence our genes, now and in the future?

Can psychological stress influence mechanisms key in gene expression (epigenetics), in turn elevating risk to poorer health outcomes? This talk will center on how childhood experiences can influence individuals throughout the life-cycle, starting with epigenetics and mental health outcomes in early adulthood, and all the way back again to the sperm epigenome which in turn may influence baby health outcomes and fertility outcomes impacting both mother and baby. This latter area speaks to the intergenerational transmission of pre-conception stress, and if this can feasibly be transmitted across generations.
 

OUR SPEAKER
A/Professor Sarah Cohen-Woods is a Matthew Flinders Fellow situated within the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work and the Flinders Institute for Mental Health and Wellbeing at Flinders University. She completed her PhD in 2008 at Kings College London, and after completing a post-doc moved to Adelaide in 2012. In 2016 Sarah established the Behavioural Genomic and Environmental Mechanisms lab where her group investigates genetic factors in eating disorders, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and even every day cognition and thinking. Her work centres on the nexus between our genes and environment, understanding how they interact to alter our outcomes with a focus on epigenetics and how this is influenced by external factors across the life-cycle – from conception to old age.

OUR CHAIR
Rachael Yates, Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery, Women’s and Children’s Health Network.