What Is Epigenetics?

Name: What Is Epigenetics?
Uploaded: 2026-02-16T00:00:00+00:00
Description: In this Teach Me in 10, Dr Ben Greulich, Assistant Professor of Biology at Mercer University, clarifies how epigenetic changes arise and are regulated, with a focused look at their role in human health and cancer biology.

Video

Published: February 16, 2026

Laura Hemmingham, PhD

speaking with

Ben Greulich, PhD

Most of us know that our genes determine our traits—but that's only half the story. The field of epigenetics has reshaped how scientists think about gene regulation, revealing layers of control beyond DNA sequence alone.

In this Teach Me in 10, Dr. Ben Greulich, Assistant Professor of Biology at Mercer University, clarifies how epigenetic changes arise, how they are regulated, and why they matter, with a focused look at their role in human health and cancer biology.

Watch this episode to discover:

How epigenetic mechanisms control gene activity without altering DNA
Why epigenetic regulation is dynamic and context-dependent
What epigenetics reveals about cancer development and progression

Meet the Author

Laura Hemmingham, PhD

Scientific Content Producer

Laura holds a BSc in Zoology from Queen Mary University of London, an MSc in Palaeoanthropology from UCL, and a PhD in Environmental Sciences from Royal Holloway, University of London. Her academic journey has been fueled by a broad interest in the life sciences and a passion for making complex science accessible to diverse audiences. Before joining Technology Networks in 2025, she gained experience across several areas of science communication, including e-learning, external communications, and science writing. Her work has focused on translating technical research into engaging, understandable content tailored for both specialist and general audiences. As a Scientific Content Producer for custom video content at Technology Networks, Laura is particularly interested in bridging the gap between scientific discovery and public engagement through creative storytelling. Her work aims to support scientific literacy while highlighting the real-world impact of research and innovation.

Interviewing

Ben Greulich, PhD

Assistant Professor of Biology

Ben Greulich obtained his Bachelors of Science degree in biology from Indiana University - Bloomington in 2015, after which he began his graduate work back at the Indiana University School of Medicine. There, he studied regulatory mechanisms of the oncogenic transcription factor, ERG, in Dr. Peter Hollenhorst's lab. Upon completion of his PhD in cell, molecular and cancer biology, he studied TGF-beta signaling and ectodomain shedding in Dr. Gerard Blobe's lab at the Duke University School of Medicine. Currently, Ben serves as an assistant professor of biology at Mercer University where he continues to research transcription factors and TGF-beta signaling in cancer.