Holly Barker Author Profile | The Scientist Magazine®

Cancer Cells Gather Speed in Thicker Fluids

Holly Barker | Nov 22, 2022 | 4 min read

Viscous solutions accelerate the migration of tumor cells and may enable metastasis, according to a new study.

Cells with miRNA activity reporter glowing

MicroRNAs Can Boost Gene Expression: Study

Holly Barker | Nov 15, 2022 | 3 min read

The tiny strings of RNA promote translation of a protein implicated in cancer, a hint they could regulate gene expression in more ways than previously thought.

Mitochondrial DNA Sneaks into Nuclear Genome

Holly Barker | Oct 17, 2022 | 3 min read

Genetic material pilfered from mitochondria may seal cracks in our genetic code, a study suggests.

a false color transmission electron microscope image of a neuronal cell body, with lysosomes colored dark green

Scientists Uncover Major Pathway Cells Use to Mend Leaky Lysosomes

Holly Barker | Oct 6, 2022 | 3 min read

Damaged lysosomes are repaired by a lipid-based signaling pathway dubbed PITT that could be targeted to treat neurodegenerative disease, its discoverers say.

Histological slide showing cancerous prostate tissue

2D Genetic Map of Prostate Cells Charts Cancer Growth

Holly Barker | Aug 23, 2022 | 4 min read

An in situ map of copy number variations in prostate tissue reveals that purportedly cancerous genomic changes frequently occur in the healthy tissue surrounding tumors.

Artist’s rendition of multiple <em>Neisseria gonorrhoeae</em>, the bacteria that causes gonorrhea, depicted as two spheres stuck together, each covered in tendrils.

Gonorrhea-Blocking Mutation Also Protects Against Alzheimer’s: Study

Holly Barker | Aug 5, 2022 | 4 min read

Research traces the evolution of a gene variant that reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, finding that it originally evolved in response to infectious bacteria.