1 February  2007 - Benno Arentsen

Theatrical artists Roel and André started off the second Erasmus MC – Junior Science workshop with a request for the audience: “Why don’t we all spread like molecules and find ourselves a place to sit”. More than 250 A-level students from schools across Rotterdam assembled in one of the University lecture rooms to learn all about epigenetics.

The central theme addressed the mechanisms that play a role in turning genes on.

Roel: “You mean gene regulation?”

The uncertainty in Roel’s eyes disappears when he introduces professors Frank Grosveld and Peter Verrijzer. “Fortunately we have two scientists here who will tell us all about it”.

Verrijzer during his talk focused mainly on the basics of DNA and the how it is rewritten into an RNA template before making protein. Grosveld spoke about epigenetic changes during development and in ageing. He showed known examples like the calico cat, identical twins, and cloned sheep, but also mentioned the role of imprinted genes on certain diseases, and the role of food and smoking on imprinted genes.

The theatre boys, who acted as two mock-up PhD students and presented jokes of varied intellectual standards, rather unexpectedly confronted the audience with some profound questions, such as: “Do you think that science and religion are at all compatible?” and “What would inspire you to engage in a scientific career?”

At the very end Grosveld and Verrijzer were confronted with the question “Why be an epigenetics expert? It won’t help you fix your car, will it?” Verrijzer replied: “Not really, but you could become a molecular mechanic, and help cure diseases.”