Biology
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Dr. Ramesh Jha | Creating and Testing Genetic Mutations Efficiently
From the genes contained in our DNA, the proteins within our bodies are born. As researchers progress in their ability to manipulate DNA, they are beginning to design and create synthetic proteins with a wide array of applications, such as new medical treatments, biofuel production, breakdown of pollutants, and biosensors that can detect specific molecules. To create synthetic proteins with new properties, scientists often need to modify DNA sequences or create entirely new ones. They then need to test the resulting genetic variants to see if they will produce a protein with new functions that could be useful for their desired application.
Professor Peter Palese | New COVID-19 Vaccines Aim to Increase Global Access and Protect Against Emerging Variants
As COVID-19 continues to evolve, there is an urgent need for vaccines that are cheaper, easier to produce, and more effective against emerging variants of concern. This is especially important for low-income countries, which face challenges in accessing current vaccines. Peter Palese and his colleagues – Weina Sun, Adolfo García-Sastre and Florian Krammer – at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are developing innovative new COVID-19 vaccines based on the Newcastle disease virus – or ‘NDV’.
Dr. Brianne Donaldson | Balancing Belief and Medicine: How Jain Values Shape Healthcare Decisions
The intersection of religion and professional practice is increasingly important, especially in the field of medicine, where ethical decisions are a daily reality. Different belief systems offer unique perspectives for approaching moral challenges. One perspective comes from Jainism, an ancient Indian religion and philosophy that emphasizes nonviolence, multiple perspectives, truth, and non-attachment. In recent research, Dr. Brianne Donaldson at the University of California, Irvine provides insights into how Jain medical professionals integrate their beliefs with modern medical practice.
Luis A. Rubio | A Healthy and Sustainable Choice: How Plant-derived Proteins Enhance Gut Health
Our diet has a powerful influence on our health, and one of the most important components is protein. But not all proteins are created equal, especially when it comes to their impact on the trillions of bacteria living in our gut. These gut bacteria, which make up our microbiome, play a crucial role in digestion, immune function, and even mental health. New research by Luis A. Rubio at Zaidín Experimental Station in Spain investigates how different types of proteins affect the gut microbiome, shedding light on how our dietary choices could influence overall wellbeing.
Dr. Ahmad Aziz | Innovative Approaches to Agricultural Education
To create an environmental-conscious future for Tennessee’s agricultural production, it is vital to educate communities about crop improvement endeavors whilst also promoting career opportunities in the sector for young people in the state. In 2020, Dr. Ahmad Aziz and his colleagues at Tennessee State University launched an innovative project designed to address both of these issues. Funded by the USDA/NIFA 1890 Institution Capacity Building Grant, they sought to address the critical need for high-quality agricultural education at various levels.
Dr. Nadine van Montfoort – Dr. Christianne Groeneveldt | The Future of Cancer Treatment with Reovirus and Immunotherapy
Reovirus type 3 Dearing – or ‘Reo’ for short – is an oncolytic virus that shows potential in treating various solid tumors. An example of a solid tumor is pancreatic cancer, for which limited treatment options are currently available. Oncolytic viruses such as Reo work by infecting and killing cancer cells directly and by stimulating the body’s immune system to attack the tumor. Reo is especially promising because it can prime a tumor microenvironment to become more amenable to immunotherapy. A major obstacle to the potential success of Reo as a cancer therapy is the prevalence of neutralizing antibodies in the population.
Dr Tope Adeniyi | Exploring the Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid in IVF Procedures
During in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) an embryo is transferred to the uterus using a nutrient-rich liquid. This embryo transfer medium often contains hyaluronic acid, a substance commonly found in the human body, including the uterus. Hyaluronic acid rich embryo transfer medium is offered as an add-on that can enhance IVF outcomes, but studies investigating its effectiveness have received mixed results. Establishing whether hyaluronic acid is truly beneficial and safe is important for maximising IVF outcomes and pursuing evidence-based practice.
Professor De’Broski Herbert | Scratching the Surface: The Role of Itch-Sensing Neurons in Fighting Parasitic Worms
Parasitic worms cause serious health issues in billions of people worldwide, so understanding how our bodies fight them off is crucial for developing better treatments. In a new study, Professor De’Broski Herbert and his team at the University of Pennsylvania have uncovered a surprising connection between the neurons that make us itch and our body’s ability to protect itself from skin-penetrating worms. In their study, the team led by postdoctoral researcher Juan Inclan Rico, explored a subtype of sensory nerves that express a specific receptor, which can make us feel itchy in response to certain chemicals.
Professor Bruce Bowerman | Illuminating the Crucial Role of Microtubules in Forming Healthy Egg Cells
Meiosis is a special type of cell division that produces egg and sperm cells. This process is crucial for sexual reproduction and the continuation of species. When meiosis goes wrong within an organism, it can lead to infertility, or genetic disorders within the offspring. As such, understanding the precise mechanics of meiosis may have important implications for preventing genetic disorders in humans. Moreover, improving our understanding of this process will help clinicians identify healthy oocytes, a key obstacle when using IVF to overcome fertility problems.
Root Collar Excavation – ARR Solutions
Lazy summer afternoons are vastly improved by a delicious ripe peach. But what if one day peaches just disappeared? In this dystopia, people would find their grocer’s shelves starkly empty of peaches and other stone fruits. Unfortunately, this future scenario is far from fictional. A fungus is seriously threatening peach production in the southeastern United States. It infects and destroys the roots of fruit trees, later spreading into the trunk and killing the tree. The disease it causes, called Armillaria root rot, is the leading cause of premature peach tree decline in southeastern USA, costing growers around 8 million dollars in losses annually.
Investigating Neural Networks Through Microfluidics
In our brains, neurons form intricate networks that allow electrical signals to flow in an efficient and directional manner between brain regions, ensuring that information ends up in the right destination. Neuroscientists have struggled to reproduce these intricate, one-way patterns of electrical exchange in traditional cell cultures. Ioanna Sandvig, Axel Sandvig, Nicolai Winter-Hjelm and Katrine Hanssen show how the directional flow of information can be successfully mimicked using ‘microfluidic platforms’ developed at NTNU NanoLab, which feature microscopic networks of channels and chambers.
Professor Michael Shapira | Investigating the Role of Gut Microbes in Aging and Disease Using Tiny Worms
Our gut microbiome plays critical roles in health and disease. While our health typically deteriorates with age, the microbiome’s role in this process is not understood. Microbiome imbalances can develop with age, contributing to health issues. Research shows that taking microbes from young mice and placing them in the gut of old mice can reduce their aging markers and improve health. However, it has been difficult to pinpoint specific changes in younger or older microbiomes that could be used as therapeutic targets. Part of the difficulty lies in the variability in humans’ microbiomes, making it challenging to find trends.
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