Question 1

What is the Meaning of Social Genomics?

Accepted Answer

Social genomics, also known as sociogenomics, is an interdisciplinary field that investigates the complex, bidirectional interactions between social, environmental, and behavioral factors and the human genome, focusing particularly on gene expression. This field explores how social experiences, such as stress, socioeconomic status, or social support, can dynamically regulate the activity of genes, including those involved in hormonal and immune pathways. In the context of health and wellness, social genomics provides a molecular mechanism to explain how social determinants of health translate into physiological changes and disease risk. It moves beyond genetic determinism to embrace the plasticity of the genome.

Question 2

What is the Origin of Social Genomics?

Accepted Answer

The term is a modern synthesis of 'social' sciences and 'genomics,' which is the study of the entire genome. Its origin reflects the paradigm shift in genetics from solely mapping DNA sequence to understanding the functional consequences of gene regulation. The field emerged from a need to bridge the gap between macroscopic social phenomena and microscopic cellular biology, often utilizing advanced molecular techniques to measure transcriptional activity in peripheral blood cells. This discipline provides a molecular lens for understanding the health disparities observed across different social groups.

Question 3

What is the Mechanism of Social Genomics?

Accepted Answer

The primary mechanism involves epigenetic modifications and transcriptional regulation. Social and environmental inputs act as powerful external signals that trigger intracellular signaling cascades. These cascades, in turn, can modify the activity of transcription factors, leading to changes in the expression levels of specific genes, such as those encoding stress hormones or inflammatory cytokines. For example, chronic social stress can induce a "conserved transcriptional response to adversity," leading to the upregulation of pro-inflammatory genes and the downregulation of antiviral genes, directly linking social experience to a detrimental shift in the hormonal and immune set point.

Social Genomics

Meaning

Origin

Mechanism

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