By Daniella Gimbosh Scientists have been elucidating the role of thousands of enzymes, genes and molecules present in the body since the dawn of time. One of these substances is an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). AMPK is an enzyme that plays a vital role in metabolism regulation and has been referred to asContinue reading “AMPK: Its implication in polycystic kidney disease and cystogenesis“
Category Archives: Molecular Biology
The enzymology of DHFR and its role in pathogen and tumour prophylaxis
By Andres Hernandez Maduro It is rare for coincidental discoveries to lead to viable prophylactic treatments. This was most probably the case when, in the 1920s, Lucy Wills found that an undiscovered nutrient in yeast extract could be used to treat patients with macrocytic anaemia.1 Soon thereafter, Wills’ results were both corroborated and expanded uponContinue reading “The enzymology of DHFR and its role in pathogen and tumour prophylaxis“
The first defence for bacterial infection in the lungs
By Yuchen Lin Bacteria is everywhere, and it can be present even inside the human body. Some of the bacteria are beneficial for humans, as they promote cellular activities or immune responses, but others are pathogenic. One of the most common human tissues bacteria reside in is the lung, and Streptococcus pneumoniae is the leading cause ofContinue reading “The first defence for bacterial infection in the lungs“
The memory of mitochondria: Is stress genetic?
By Martina Torcè Living creatures have developed a plethora of defensive mechanisms to increase their chances of survival, some of which are able to be passed down, generation to generation, through an organism’s genetic makeup. The survival advantage conferred to offspring is that upcoming challenges may be easier to handle. Can this concept be appliedContinue reading “The memory of mitochondria: Is stress genetic?“
Mum vs Dad – a battle in epigenetics.
By George Young The formation of organisms and their continued development can be attributed partly to DNA, but significant credit also lies with epigenetics. Individuals inherit epigenetic marks from their parents, and also accumulate their own epigenetic modifications in their lifetime. Study of these epigenetic marks and modifications can explore nuanced differences in traits betweenContinue reading “Mum vs Dad – a battle in epigenetics.“
What can a cell use vesicles for?
By Pia Skok A special feature of all eukaryotic cells is that they are compartmentalized. In other words, they are divided into many smaller, membrane enclosed organelles that contain specific molecules and thus perform a specific function.1 An example of such compartment are vesicles, sacs enclosed by a lipid bilayer. Although they have a veryContinue reading “What can a cell use vesicles for?”
Human cell atlas: mapping the building blocks of life
By Ellie Fung In 2003, the completion of the Human Genome Project (HGP) marked a major milestone in biological research. The collaborative efforts of research groups worldwide, later boosted by the development of next-generation sequencing technologies, culminated in the first fully sequenced human reference genome.¹ Since then, the HGP has transformed research in human biologyContinue reading “Human cell atlas: mapping the building blocks of life“
Using honey DNA to detect counterfeits
By Heiloi Yip Honey needs no introduction as a versatile food product that you or I may use in our everyday lives, from being dissolved in tea or lightly drizzled on some pancakes. Not only is honey a nutrient- and energy-rich substance, but it also has antibacterial properties and various health benefits. For example, honeyContinue reading “Using honey DNA to detect counterfeits”
Lamin proteins and their roles in nuclear structural support, cell morphology and ageing
By Andres Hernandez Maduro Intracellular metabolic proteins are fundamental to the viability of life, and none are arguably more important than those involved in DNA regulation and maintenance. Nuclear lamin proteins, required for structural support of the nucleus and DNA repair, are just as significant. Nuclear lamins are a subset of intermediate filament proteins thatContinue reading “Lamin proteins and their roles in nuclear structural support, cell morphology and ageing“
The role of circular RNA in cancer formation and progression
By Victoria Zhang Within the non-coding RNA family, circular RNAs(circRNAs) is a novel endogenous class that forms a covalently closed ring structure without 3’ and 5’ ends. Due to their lack of free ends, circRNAs have high stability and resistance to RNase degradation.1 This high stability enables them to be evolutionarily conserved and present widelyContinue reading “The role of circular RNA in cancer formation and progression”
Imperial Bioscience Review 