Laura Tran, PhD

Laura Tran, PhD

Laura Tran is an Assistant Editor at The Scientist. She has a background in microbiology. Laura earned her PhD in integrated biomedical sciences from Rush University, studying how circadian rhythms and alcohol impact the gut. While completing her studies, she wrote for the Chicago Council on Science and Technology and participated in ComSciCon Chicago in 2022. In 2023, Laura became a science communication fellow with OMSI, continuing her passion for accessible science storytelling.

Articles by Laura Tran, PhD

Colorful image of the outline of a person (navy) with the gastrointestinal tract highlighted (pink). There are images of microbes surrounding the person.

Childhood Exposure to Bacterial Toxin Tied to Early-Onset Colorectal Cancer

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of two nerve fibers next to each other. The one on the left has its myelin sheath intact, while the other has damaged myelin sheaths.

2025 Breakthrough Prize Recognizes Trailblazers in Multiple Sclerosis Research

Laura Tran, PhD | | 8 min read

Woman eating with donuts, cake, chicken, and a burger in front of her.

Brain Cells That Remember Food May Influence Obesity

Laura Tran, PhD | | 5 min read

Image of a woman in a microbiology lab whose hair is caught on fire from a Bunsen burner.

Bunsen Burners and Bad Hair Days

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Image of a green oak leaf. There are some water droplets on top of the leaf.

Distinct Oak Leaf-Shaped Cells Support Lymph Vessels

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Zebrafish swimming in water.

Tiny Plastics Impair Red Blood Cell Development in Zebrafish

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of human bones buried in dirt.

DNA Helps Identify Croatian Nun in Sainthood Quest

Laura Tran, PhD | | 4 min read

A chocolate Labrador Retriever puppy sits above a ceramic dog bowl. There is kibble scattered on the floor around the puppy.

Canine Cravings: Labradors and Humans Share Obesity Genes

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

A close-up image of a woman sticking her tongue out.

Mapping the Shift from Healthy Stem Cells to Oral Cancer

Laura Tran, PhD | | 4 min read

Image of Hannah Thomasy sitting with her white dog in her lap.

Meet the Team: Hannah Thomasy

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of a forensic scientist holding a magnifying glass to DNA to reveal a DNA fingerprint.

DNA Profiling: Tracing Killers and Solving Mysteries Using Genetic Clues

Laura Tran, PhD | | 10+ min read

Image of a white protest sign with the words, “Don’t Silence Science,” written in colorful marker.

Stand Up for Science: US Researchers Mobilize in National Protests

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

A close-up of a computer-generated tardigrade.

Tardigrade Protein Shields Mouse Cells from Radiation

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of adeno-associated viral vectors (AAVs) being injected into tadpoles and larvae. The amount of green fluorescent protein is measured in brain sections and the selected AAVs are injected and tracked in juvenile and adult frogs and salamanders.

Viruses Can Map How Amphibious Brains Are Wired

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Image of Bacillus subtilis colony biofilm against a black background.

Bacteria Wars: Kinship in the Swarm

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Page 1 of 8 - 106 Total Items

Image of a woman in a microbiology lab whose hair is caught on fire from a Bunsen burner.

April 1, 2025, Issue 1

Bunsen Burners and Bad Hair Days

Lab safety rules dictate that one must tie back long hair. Rosemarie Hansen learned the hard way when an open flame turned her locks into a lesson.

View this Issue

Research Resources

Podcasts

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eBooks

Conceptual image of biochemical laboratory sample preparation showing glassware and chemical formulas in the foreground and a scientist holding a pipette in the background.

Taking the Guesswork Out of Quality Control Standards

Learn how improving sampling, standardization, and calibration streamlines quality control processes.

An illustration of PFAS bubbles in front of a blue sky with clouds.

PFAS: The Forever Chemicals

Learn how to accurately test environmental samples for PFAS substances.

Unlocking the Unattainable in Gene Construction

Unlocking the Unattainable in Gene Construction

In this webinar, Benoit Derrien will discuss new strategies using enzymatically synthesized DNA for gene construction.

Concept illustration of acoustic waves and ripples.

Comparing Analytical Solutions for High-Throughput Drug Discovery

Choosing between plate reader-based assays and mass spectrometry solutions is a key decision for scientists when evaluating technology options for their laboratories.

Products

Product News

Atelerix

Atelerix signs exclusive agreement with MineBio to establish distribution channel for non-cryogenic cell preservation solutions in China

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Green Cooling

Thermo Scientific™ Centrifuges with GreenCool Technology

Next-generation natural refrigerant cooling system for centrifuges, offering a lower Global Warming Potential and reduced energy consumption.

Singleron Biotechnologies and Hamilton Bonaduz AG Announce the Launch of Tensor to Advance Single Cell Sequencing Automation

Singleron Biotechnologies and Hamilton Bonaduz AG today announced the official launch of Tensor under their strategic partnership.

Zymo Research Launches Research Grant to Empower Mapping the RNome

Zymo Research is proud to introduce the RNome Disruptive Research Grant, that is designed to empower scientists mapping the RNome and advance our overallunderstanding of RNA.