• Question: is there a way to trick our brain into changing our DNA structure, or how some cells work?

    Asked by 939genp37 to Fiana on 7 Nov 2018.
    • Photo: Fiana

      Fiana answered on 7 Nov 2018:

      Not that I know of anyway! Our DNA structure is as it was when we are born. There is an area of genetics called epigenetics where certain factors can turn on and off different genes and change how they are working. It’s a really interesting area of research at the moment and definitely worth looking into 🙂

Comments

  • Photo: Remsha

    Remsha commented on :

    We cant trick our brain to change our DNA structure at will if that’s what you’re asking 🙂 That would be really cool though!
    That being said, our DNA can change over our life time in the sense that it can get more damaged or changed (mutated). The most popular example is aging! You age because the machinery in your body that’s meant to keep the DNA in check from mutations doesn’t work as well and so your DNA can acquire more damage over time.

    What Fiana said about epigenetics is also very interesting, where certain parts of the DNA (our genes) can be turned on or off (again this does not happen at will by tricking the brain). One example of epigenetic change is methylation of the DNA. Methylation can affect how our genes are expressed. So a change in methylation might cause a change in how someone’s genes are used. This is important because changes in methylation patterns have been linked to cancer and autoimmune diseases.

  • Photo: LEGODaequanloverfan09

    LEGODaequanloverfan09 commented on :

    GreAt stuff

  • Photo: 939genp37

    939genp37 commented on :

    that is very useful, thankyou.