January 2012

There is definitely no shortage of technological innovation in the life sciences.

January 2012's selection of notable quotes

Twenty-first century challenges to the public health of all the world’s populations require forward-looking commitments from epidemiologists.

Academic detailing has the potential to significantly improve clinical practice.

Now RNA can glow in the cell, as only proteins could in the past.

Editor’s choice in cell biology

Editor’s choice in structural biology

Editor’s choice in immunology

Elaine Mardis can make DNA sequencers sing, generating genome data that shed light on evolution and disease.

Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario. Age: 34

Tools and tricks for high-throughput flow cytometry

A Swiss-based firm may have a back-door way to thwart a bioterrorist attack—by fighting the flu.

Should we rethink the parallel drawn between “slave-making” ants and human slavery, and other such oversimplifications of animal behavior?

How Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock nearly gave up genetics for meteorology

In its brief, 4-year history, The Scientist’s annual Top 10 Innovations contest has become a showcase of the coolest life science tools to emerge in the previous year. 

Not all inflammation leads to pain. Despite widespread infection followed by fever, colds rarely cause pain. But when some cytokines and certain immune cells are active near pain-sensing nerves, they trigger receptors that convey pain sensations to the brain.

Meet some of the people featured in the January 2012 issue of The Scientist.