Laura Tran, PhD

Laura Tran, PhD

Assistant Editor at Labx Media Group

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

Split image of a man unsuccessfully trying to tickle himself with a feather (right) and a man laughing and being tickled by a woman with a feather (left).

Why Can’t We Tickle Ourselves?

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Image of three interwoven strands (purple, green, and blue) that form the triple helix structure of collagen.

Chemical Staples Keep Collagen from Falling Apart

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of salmon and tuna nigiri as well as California rolls arranged on a circular black plate.

Engineered Bacteria Detox Mercury from a Fish-Rich Diet

Laura Tran, PhD | | 4 min read

Image of a hand holding up a smoky glass of red wine. The background depicts a vineyard and wildfire smoke.

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Wine?

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Image of cartoon sperm cells racing along a racetrack toward a black and white checkered finish line.

Sperm Race Toward Fertility Awareness

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Image of a rodent yawning.

New Brain Circuit Helps Recover Lost Sleep

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of Atul Butte.

Biomedical Informatician Atul Butte Dies at 55

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Fantastic Microbes and Where to Find Them

Laura Tran, PhD | | 10+ min read

Image of Karen Evans. She wears a black top and smiles at the camera.

Meet the Team: Karen Evans

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of futuristic technology such as artificial intelligence with a graphic of a robotic bird against a blue background.

An AI-Powered Scientist Proposes a Treatment for Blindness

Laura Tran, PhD | | 4 min read

Drawn image of a man with cholera lying in bed, while a woman tends to him at his bedside.

New Cholera-Toxin Binding Protein Stops Diarrhea in its Tracks

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of a fruit fly feeding on a plate with food residue.

A Mutated Taste Gene Makes Fruit Flies Seek Out Cocaine

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of an adult mouse with a litter of baby mice.

Newborn Mice May Hold the Key to Simpler Gene Therapy

Laura Tran, PhD | | 3 min read

Image of small blue creatures called Nergals. Some have hearts above their heads, which signify friendship. There is one Nergal who is sneezing and losing health, which is denoted by minus one signs floating around it.

Nergal Networks: Where Friendship Meets Infection

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Illustration of Matteo Farinella holding a comics book while working on his laptop. He sits at a desk covered with various books and loose papers.

Neurocomics Bring Science to Life Through Visual Storytelling

Laura Tran, PhD | | 2 min read

Page 1 of 9 - 126 Total Items

July Digest 2025

July 2025, Issue 1

What Causes an Earworm?

Memory-enhancing neural networks may also drive involuntary musical loops in the brain.

View this Issue

Research Resources

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eBooks

Accelerating Recombinase Reprogramming with Machine Learning

Accelerating Recombinase Reprogramming with Machine Learning

In this webinar, Felix Lansing will discuss how AI-driven models improve recombinase development.

Genome Modeling and Design: From the Molecular to Genome Scale

Genome Modeling and Design: From the Molecular to Genome Scale

In this webinar, Brian Hie will discuss Evo2, a state-of-the-art genomic foundation model capable of generalist prediction and design tasks across DNA, RNA, and proteins.

Screening 3D Brain Cell Cultures for Drug Discovery

Screening 3D Brain Cell Cultures for Drug Discovery

In this webinar, learn how scientists use advanced human brain models to uncover treatment strategies for complex neurological conditions.

DNA and pills, conceptual illustration of the relationship between genetics and therapeutic development

Multiplexing PCR Technologies for Biopharmaceutical Research

In the dynamic biotechnology and biopharmaceutical science fields, qPCR and dPCR multiplexing has emerged as a crucial technique for accelerated and consistent research workflows.

Products

Product News

Waters and BD's Biosciences & Diagnostic Solutions Business to Combine, Creating a Life Science and Diagnostics Leader Focused on Regulated, High-Volume Testing

Strong strategic fit that increases presence in multiple high-growth adjacencies and offers immediate commercial impact from Waters' proven execution model

Zymo Research Partners with Harvard University to Bring the BioFestival to Cambridge, Empowering World-class Research

Zymo Research, a global leader in sample preparation technologies and sustainable life science solutions, will partner with Harvard University to host the BioFestival on October 18, 2025.

10x Genomics and A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore Launch TISHUMAP Study to Advance AI-Driven Drug Target Discovery

Ambitious study will profile thousands of tumor samples to uncover novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for cancer and inflammatory diseases

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Sino Biological Sets New Industry Standard with ProPure Endotoxin-Free Proteins made in the USA

This new product line is specifically engineered to meet the rigorous demands of immunology research, vaccine development, animal studies, cell and gene therapy, and therapeutic protein manufacturing.