The Good Stuff | University of Portland

The Good Stuff

Portland Magazine

January 31, 2019

Mother, baby, and grandmotherThe "Above Love" study is the only physiological human-subject research being conducted at UP—and it also wins top prize for the most adorable research subjects. (See George pictured to the right.)

Sarina Saturn, a professor in UP’s Department of Psychological Sciences, won a National Science Foundation grant and teamed up with postdoctoral scholar Deirdre Katz and 20 undergraduate research assistants—including four trained phlebotomists, several data whizzes, and a host of expert babyholders. Their goal? To measure the effects of the family bond through three generations.

We know we inherit a lot through our family’s genetic material—thanks for the flat feet, dad—but “Above Love” is aiming to measure traits we inherit that live “above” the genes, traits that are influenced by the life and circumstances (and perhaps trauma) of generations past.

This relatively new and burgeoning field of interest is called epigenetics (“epi,” meaning “above” the genetic material). Many researchers are looking at how traumatic life events cause the body to release stress hormones, which can then change the environment for our genes. Epigeneticists are trying to determine if and how this change might affect future generations. An example: one study showed that mother rats who nurse and nurture their pups have laidback offspring; while mother rats who ignored their pups had offspring prone to anxiety. The calm/anxious behavior had staying power into adulthood.

Saturn’s early research interests had to do with the effects of trauma, but now she has flipped her focus—to love. What about the environments that abound in love and security, environments where there aren’t high levels of stress hormones but the opposite— hormones like oxytocin, which encourages bonding, nurturing, and love? (It should come as no surprise that oxytocin is found in highest levels in new moms.) Essentially, the question is: If we can pass along trauma, can we pass along the good stuff too?

The research team monitors how the levels of oxytocin corroborate with events the subjects witness in a controlled environment. They look at the oxytocin levels and heart rate in grandma, mom, and baby. And everybody gets to smile a lot.

The good news is that the “Above Love” study is still looking for participants. Are you a mom with a baby 6 months or younger and grandma is in the area (or visiting soon)? Come take part! The research team is still inviting families in, and research subjects will be compensated $100. Go to abovelovestudy.com.