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Tall or short? Blue irises or brown? Human genetic material, or deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), include genes that provide cellular machinery with instructions to produce functional proteins. These proteins ultimately determine many traits and support our daily activities. However, due to cell aging or environmental exposure to chemicals or radiation, mutations can happen randomly within trait-encoding genes, leading to problematic gene expression and protein activity (Figure 1).

Pet dogs usually follow predictable tracks throughout their lives. Dogs, as our loyal friends, have very limited lifespans. In general, dogs have an average lifespan of 10-13 years, which only takes up a small portion of humans’ lives, not to mention that dogs of medium and large breeds have an even shorter lifespan.

In my first blog on Brassica oleracea, I introduced that variants of these crops are rich in vitamins, dietary fiber, and many minerals. Among minerals, iron content is an essential micronutrient for crops and humans, which plays a crucial role in various biological processes necessary for growth and development. Here, I will discuss the importance of iron in crops and how to enhance the iron content, especially in maize, by gene regulation. 

Brassica oleracea is widely cultivated worldwide and is one of the most important categories of vegetable crops. It is a species that encompasses a wide range of cultivated vegetables including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and kohlrabi, etc. These vegetables, though are all belong to Brassica oleracea, appear very differently.

We learned a bit in my previous blog about precision fermentation and how we can use the power of engineering microorganisms to craft the products we want from simple ingredients like fruits and vegetables! In this follow-up story we are going to step into the world of cutting-edge innovation as we talk with a groundbreaking company that is paving its way in this field: TurtleTree!

Let’s travel through time, looking at the history and future of a field where food and science meet, fermentation! Fermentation uses microorganisms that act like tiny chefs to convert simple ingredients into delicious flavors. Fermentation has given us everything from tangy yogurt to fluffy bread. Yet, as technology leaps forward, we are entering a new chapter: precision fermentation. This innovative approach merges the ancient art of fermentation with cutting-edge science, allowing us to engineer microorganisms to craft new products that were once unimaginable.

In recent years, the field of cancer research has witnessed a growing interest in targeting RNA editing as a potential therapeutic strategy. Adenosine Deaminase Acting on RNA (ADAR), a key enzyme involved in RNA editing, has emerged as an attractive target for cancer therapy. In this blog post, we will explore the role of ADAR and RNA editing in cancer and the potential of ADAR inhibitors as effective cancer therapeutics, highlighting the progress made in this area and the challenges that lie ahead.

In genetics, it is common knowledge that the blueprint of life lies within the intricate structure of DNA. However, a lesser-known but equally important player in the process of gene expression is RNA. From my previous blog, we learned that RNA carries the instructions encoded in DNA and helps to synthesize proteins that dictate the functioning of living organisms.

(Disclaimer: This blog is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a medical doctor if you are considering taking any new medicines or supplements. Mimio Health has their own disclaimer statements on their product packaging and at the bottom of their home page, which emphasize that their product is not intended to treat or cure disease.)

The development of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 has showcased the potential of RNA-based approaches, generating significant enthusiasm and investment in the field. RNA-based therapeutics offer new potential treatments for a range of diseases, taking advantage of the natural role of RNA in gene expression and allowing for targeted gene regulation and protein synthesis. In this blog, we will explore the types of RNA-based therapeutics, their advantages and limitations, and the current state of research in the field. But first, let’s define what an RNA molecule is.

In an unmarked space in the Eastern suburbs of Davis, a biotechnology startup and its group of researchers are participating in advancing the future of sustainable food.

This is Part 3 of a three-part series on biological applications of microfluidic devices. Part 1 covered the history, physics, and popular fabrication methods of microfluidic devices, while Part 2 discussed the application of microfluidic devices in low resource and point-of-care applications.

DNA damage is a phenomenon that can be detrimental to genomic integrity. Thankfully, our bodies have adapted many pathways to repair such DNA damage to prevent mutagenesis and cell death. There are many different topics related to DNA damage and repair, and I have recently focused on two other interesting topics related to this. In my first blog, I touched on the epigenetic role of DNA damage.

“Don’t smoke.”

In this day and age, we have all heard this refrain over and over from a very young age. From the high taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco products to the no-smoking public campaigns, it’s been drummed into heads (and our wallets) that smoking is bad for us.  But why is it so bad? And why do so many people smoke anyway knowing that it’s bad for them?