Just starting: Epigenetic control of Gene Expression, at Melbourne University

So there's a new MOOC over at Coursera starting up today.

Why take this MOOC?

Because I really liked the genetics part of MIT's 7.00x Introduction to Biology, and wanted to learn more. Someone on the forums there pointed to this course, and here I am.
Plus, I'm kind of in an Australian mood, what with the Astrophysics course at ANU.

What's epigenetics anyway?

It's the study of how protein synthesis (from DNA by way of RNA) varies, between individuals, between cells in a specific individual, and at different points in time for a specific cell, without changes to the actual genome (the DNA sequence).
Basically that's why monozygotic twin cats may have completely different colours.

Sounds complicated.

That's right. Though you may spell it "fun".
I guess that'll be the real test, whether the instructor (Dr Marnie Blewitt) can make it easily understood. Based on the first 2/3rds of the first week's lecture, I'd say she does a good job of presenting the subject matter in an organized way that conveys the important information in a digestable package.

Right; let's go!