Genetics is indeed a fascinating subject and I've always been intrigued by it too. I think it's the idea of 'tinkering' with the genome to produce something positive that excites me the most. Have you heard much about epigenetics? Personally, I believe the more we come to understand the epigenome, the closer we will come to managing and reducing many complex genetic diseases such as type II diabetes and cancer. We're also beginning to gauge far better than ever before how the 'faulty' genes generate their proteins, opening up even more potential targets for therapy.

I did Animal Genetics modules in my first and second year of university, and this year am doing an advanced Human Molecular Genetics module at King's College London. It's safe to say my mind has been blown (in both a good and bad way!) by some of the current genetics journals! If there's anything you'd ever like to ask, Isabel, I'd be happy to answer, or ask an expert at the university for you!

With regards to the 'depression gene', that's 99.9% certain, but again there's likely to be a great many genes involved. Chromosomes have a habit of switching bits here and there, and having effects further down the code seemingly at random, just to complicate matters. Genetics wouldn't be so intriguing were it straightforward, I guess!