Researching with Rotifers

We inherit our genes from mum and dad, and over time these DNA blueprints help us develop family similarities. Yet we also receive some of our parents’ epigenetics, chemicals that surround the genes controlling how they are used. Epigenetics are often affected by lifestyle and health, and in this way a mother’s age can directly affect their offspring. In humans, as in rotifers (like this one), elderly mothers often give birth to children who live shorter lives. But recent experiments suggest rotifers with older mothers react much more positively to caloric restriction – a healthy boost caused by a change in diet. As we share many genes in common with rotifers, with careful study this may mean choice of diet, medication or lifestyle might affect human children from young mothers or older mothers differently, and contribute to personalised medicine in the future.

Written by John Ankers

John Ankers

Writer

A former researcher in systems biology, John is now an online biology tutor and professional coach supporting the wellbeing of scientists and NHS professionals. He's writing, too, of course.

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• Image by Michael Shribak and Kristin Gribble
• Marine Biological Laboratory, Woods Hole, MA, USA
• Image copyright held by the original authors
• Research published in Scientific Reports, February 2019