
Winter 2023
Ephemeral Life
Recent advances in modeling the human placenta may inform placental disorders like preeclampsia
Features

Unraveling the Mystery of Zombie Genes

Downsizing DNA

The Ephemeral Life of the Placenta
Profiles

A Journey With Metabolism, Parasites, and Cancer
Piet Borst led stellar work on cell organelles, trypanosomes, and cancer drug resistance during the golden age of biology.

Making Standards Exceptional
Samantha Maragh has taken on the difficult challenge of standardizing assays, data norms, and terminology in the ever evolving genome editing field.

A Microbial Link to Parkinson’s Disease
Haydeh Payami helped uncover the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease. Now, she hopes to find new ways to treat the disease by studying the gut microbiome.
The Literature

Biosensors for Colorectal Cancer
Engineered bacteria sound the alarm on a common oncogenic mutation.

Rebranding Mitochondria
As scientists realize the multifaceted role of mitochondria, some feel that the “powerhouse of the cell” analogy is out of date.

Tracking Down Innate Immune Cells in Multiple Sclerosis
A novel PET tracer targeting a receptor in myeloid cells can help monitor disease progression in a mouse model of multiple sclerosis.
Infographics

Infographic: Mitochondria, the Cellular Processors
Following decades of being called “the powerhouse of the cell,” researchers recently proposed a new description that reflects the multifaceted roles of mitochondria.

Infographic: The Cre-lox System Explained
The Cre-lox recombination method orchestrates remarkable genetic manipulations that remain a gold standard for transgenic mice.

Infographic: Recombinase Polymerase Amplification in Action
A rapid isothermal amplification technique enables pathogen identification and antibiotic resistance detection in low-resource settings.

Infographic: Phage Display Allows Rapid Screening of Millions of Peptides
A viral protein expression method links proteins and their coding instructions, enabling easier target identification for downstream analysis.

Infographic: Programmed DNA Elimination
Removing parts of the genome is a key step in some species’ development.

Infographic: Early Placenta Development Sets the Stage
During early pregnancy, the placenta remodels the uterine environment to support fetal growth

Infographic: Microglia Influence Myelin Health
In FIRE mice, the lack of microglia causes myelin overgrowth and eventual degeneration, indicating that microglia may contribute to age-related neurodegenerative diseases.

Infographic: Gene Activity in the Cellular Afterlife
Low oxygen resuscitates gene transcription after death.
Foundations

Coming Into the Fold: DNA Origami
In 2006, Paul Rothemund transformed the field of DNA nanotechnology when he unveiled an innovative approach for making shapes and patterns from genetic material.

Serendipity, Happenstance, and Luck: The Making of a Molecular Tool
The common fluorescent marker GFP traveled a long road to take its popular place in molecular biology today.

The Cre-loxP System: A Powerful Tool in the Genetic Toolbox
Standing at the cornerstone of genetic research, Cre-loxP recombination serves as molecular scissors for precisely manipulating the genome.
Methods

Whenever, Wherever: Taking DNA Amplification Outside the Lab
Recombinase polymerase amplification lets researchers rapidly replicate DNA in the clinic, in the field, or even in the International Space Station.

Phage Display: Finding the One in a Million
A combinatorial approach enabled high-throughput screening of protein libraries for desired target binding.
Editorial

When Scientists Collaborate, Science Progresses
Behind every successful scientist, there is another scientist.
Speaking of Science

Cells and Organelles
Put on your thinking cap, and take on this fun challenge.