BioFutures: Cells from Another Self - CANCELED

In a mother’s womb, the developing fetus infuses cells into its mother’s body, and they stay there long after the baby is born. Recently, scientists have learned that these cellular remnants - known as microchimerism - have dramatic effects on the mother’s body and health. UC Santa Barbara researcher Amy Boddy will look at microchimeras from an evolutionary perspective, asking “why are they there at all?” Might they manipulate the mother’s body to give more resources to the child? Could they affect her disease risk? Her behavior?

Part of After Dark