Los Alamos National Laboratory

When it comes to human behavior, some traits are neither nature nor nurture, but something altogether different. That “something” is epigenetics, the science that helps explain how the environment, including some social interactions, alters DNA. 

During an SFI Community Lecture  January 19 at The Lensic Performing Arts Center in Santa Fe, Dr. Karissa Sanbonmatsu explored epigenetics and its implications for autism, addiction, depression, Alzheimer’s, and even love. She explained how her latest research revealing how long RNA molecules (DNA’s molecular cousins) might be the key to understanding many epigenetic phenomena. 

Watch the video of Sanbonmatsu's talk (50 minutes, January 19, 2016)

Sanbonmatsu is a principal investigator at Los Alamos National Laboratory studying the molecular machine that implements the genetic code. With over a half-million views, her 2014 TEDx talk revealed how she found her way to the study of epigenetics. 

Read a preview of the lecture in the Santa Fe New Mexican (January 19, 2016)

Hear Karissa Sanbonmatsu's interview on KSFR Public Radio (January 19, 2016, 27 minutes)

SFI’s 2016 Community Lecture series is made possible with generous underwriting from Thornburg Investment Management, with additional support from The Lensic Performing Arts Center

More SFI community events here.