abby olena

Abby Olena, PhD

As a freelancer for The Scientist, Abby reports on new developments in life science for the website. She has a PhD from Vanderbilt University and got her start in science journalism as the Chicago Tribune’s AAAS Mass Media Fellow in 2013. Following a stint as an intern for The Scientist, Abby was a postdoc in science communication at Duke University, where she developed and taught courses to help scientists share their research. In addition to her work as a science journalist, she leads science writing and communication workshops and co-produces a conversational podcast. She is based in Alabama.

Articles by Abby Olena, PhD

A section of a mouse distal colon showing luminal contents with bacteria in magenta, the mucus lining (green) and the epithelial cell barrier of the gut (blue, right).

Mapping the Neighborhoods of the Gut Microbiome

Abby Olena, PhD | | 7 min read

Photo of lab-grown chicken from Eat Just, Inc.

Cultured Meat Advances Toward the Market

Abby Olena, PhD | | 8 min read

An illustration shows circular red blood cells running into a yellow cholesterol blockage in a transverse section of an artery on a blue and purple background

Genetic Variant Discovered in Amish Protects from Heart Disease

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

Illustration of an African lungfish encased in a cocoon, highlighting immune defense mechanisms during estivation.

Lungfish Cocoon: A Living Barrier Against Infection During Estivation

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

Rounded red and green fluorescent cells are visible on a light and dark gray background

Neurons Firing Together Generate Spontaneous Pain

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

A black and brown ant stands over various sizes of whitish purple, oval shaped larvae and yellow, oblong eggs

A Single Transcription Factor Changes Ants to Queens

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

An artist's rendition of an RNA molecule in light blue on a dark blue background

Same RNA Acts in Neurodegeneration and Cancer

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

Red blood cells are pictured in grayscale on a gray background

Red Blood Cells Activate Innate Immune System

Abby Olena, PhD | | 4 min read

The head of a tadpole is pictured. Its eye is black, but the rest of its head is various shades of green

Scientists Use Photosynthesis to Power an Animal’s Brain

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

A brown tick is shown from above as it climbs a green blade of grass

Bacterial Symbionts Tell Ticks When to Eat

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

A view of the nucleus of a cell with DNA in blue, RNA in pink, and associated proteins in yellow and purple

DNA Methylation Influences Replication and Genome Organization

Abby Olena, PhD | | 3 min read

One white mouse with red eyes runs on a blue exercise wheel, while another mouse stands with front paws on the wheel

Serious Infections Linked to Autism: Study

Abby Olena, PhD | | 5 min read

Page 1 of 30 - 358 Total Items

1 2 3 4 5

Illustration of a developing fetus surrounded by a clear fluid with a subtle yellow tinge, representing amniotic fluid.

January 2026, Issue 1

What Is the Amniotic Fluid Composed of?

The liquid world of fetal development provides a rich source of nutrition and protection tailored to meet the needs of the growing fetus.

View this Issue

Research Resources

Podcasts

Webinars

Videos

Infographics

eBooks

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

Skip the Wait for Protein Stability Data with Aunty

In this webinar, Andre Mueller will discuss how scientists characterize therapeutic proteins in different formulations and spot the effects of excipients on protein stability.

Graphic of three DNA helices in various colors

An Automated DNA-to-Data Framework for Production-Scale Sequencing

A streamlined, automated process helps scientists coordinate site-ready production-level whole genome sequencing results.

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

Exploring Cellular Organization with Spatial Proteomics

In this webinar, learn how scientists are using cutting-edge spatial proteomics technologies to advance their understanding of cellular organization in healthy and diseased tissues.

Abstract illustration of spheres with multiple layers, representing endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm derived organoids

Organoid Origins and How to Grow Them

Scientists rely on cytokines, growth factors, and other agents to direct and create different types of organoid models.

Products

Product News

BRANDTECH Scientific Introduces the Transferpette® pro Micropipette: A New Twist on Comfort and Control

The Transferpette® pro expands the Transferpette® family, offering scientists even greater flexibility to match their pipetting preferences and workflow requirements.

Biotium Launches GlycoLiner™ Cell Surface Glycoprotein Labeling Kits for Rapid and Selective Cell Surface Imaging

Fast, gentle, and highly specific glycoprotein labeling compatible with downstream immunofluorescence, enabled by next-generation aminooxy chemistry.

Colorful abstract spiral dot pattern on a black background

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges

Thermo Scientific X and S Series General Purpose Centrifuges are designed to help provide exceptional performance, versatility and enhanced sustainability.

Abstract background with red and blue laser lights

VANTAstar Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows

VANTAstar Flexible microplate reader with simplified workflows