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Redesigning Medicine Using Synthetic Biology

Alison Halliday, PhD, Technology Networks | Jun 21, 2023 | 5 min read

Drawing inspiration from nature, synthetic biology offers exciting opportunities to transform the future of medicine.

Epithelial cells and fungal spores are marked with fluorescent dyes. Cells have an irregular shape and are shown in green and blue colors. Spores are spherical in shape and are labeled green if they are surrounded by p11 protein. A protein in mature phagosomes is labeled violet.

Fungal Spores Hijack a Host Protein to Escape Death

Mariella Bodemeier Loayza Careaga, PhD | Jun 20, 2023 | 3 min read

Uncovering the components used by Aspergillus fumigatus to avoid intracellular destruction broadens our understanding of the mold’s pathogenesis.

The Ins and Outs of LC-MS

Deanna MacNeil, PhD | 4 min read

From proteomics to pharmacokinetics, researchers turn to advances in liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify and quantify components in different samples.

Chiara Zurzolo and Ranabir Chakraborty stand next to a computer monitor displaying a microscopy image

Microglia Rescue Aggregate-Burdened Neurons

Charlene Lancaster, PhD | Jun 12, 2023 | 4 min read

Researchers discover that neurons trade protein aggregates for microglial-derived mitochondria through tunneling nanotubes.

Disease Scent Signatures Disclose What the Nose Knows

Iris Kulbatski, PhD | Jun 12, 2023 | 4 min read

Researchers redefine the lost art of smelling illness using one woman’s exquisitely sensitive nose.

An abstract rendering of laboratory flasks with green and pink glowing liquid and scientific shapes floating above.

Traditional Techniques, New Applications

The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read

Researchers harness the power of familiar methods to advance science.

Brain cell in purple on a black background. Arc mRNAs are labeled green and are mainly localized in the cell nucleus and in the dendrites.

Short-lived Molecules Support Long-term Memory

Alejandra Manjarrez, PhD | Jun 6, 2023 | 3 min read

A gene essential for information storage in the brain engages an autoregulatory feedback loop to consolidate memory.

Colorful dots, representing small pieces of plastic, on a blue background

Nanoplastic Ingestion Causes Neurological Deficits

Shelby Bradford, PhD | May 31, 2023 | 3 min read

Small plastic particulates can induce inflammatory responses in the gut and brain, but removing them reverses this damage.

Starting with Human Cell Systems

The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read

Xitiz Chamling shares how advances in human stem cell and gene editing technologies fuel his drive for better multiple sclerosis drug screening platforms.

The Circadian Rhythm of the Heart Rate

Katherine Paulin, PhD | May 31, 2023 | 3 min read

The sympathetic nervous system influences gene expression in the heart to regulate the day-night cycle of resting heart rate.

Neurons (green) fire differently depending on whether the astrocytes (red) they are grown with are cultivated from people with or without fragile X.

Astrocytes Fuel Erratic Firing in Fragile X Neurons

Lauren Schenkman, Spectrum | May 30, 2023 | 4 min read

This new understanding could one day lead to targeted treatments.

An Introduction to Glycoproteins

Rebecca Roberts, PhD | 5 min read

Making up the majority of all eukaryotic proteins, glycoproteins have a wide range of important physiological roles, from cell-cell signaling to disease pathogenesis.

SARS-CoV-2 self-assembling virus-like nanoparticle with spike proteins protruding from the surface.

New Technology Improves SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine-Induced Immune Responses

Elina Kadriu | May 30, 2023 | 3 min read

mRNA-encoded self-assembling enveloped virus-like particles presenting SARS-CoV-2 spike protein enhance immunity and may provide better protection against viral variants.

Researchers in George Church’s lab modified wild type ADK proteins (left) in <em >E.coli</em>, furnishing them with an nonstandard amino acid (nsAA) meant to biocontain the resulting bacterial strain.

A Pioneer of The Multiplex Frontier

Rashmi Sivni | May 20, 2023 | 10 min read

George Church is at it again, this time using multiplex gene editing to create virus-proof cells, improve organ transplant success, and protect elephants.

Automating Circulating Tumor Cell Isolation and Transfer

The Scientist’s Creative Services Team | 1 min read

Darius Cameron Wilson will discuss how the latest automated cell isolation technology streamlines circulating tumor cell applications.