Fam38A: another piece of the cancer puzzle

17 Thursday Jan 2013

Posted by sedeer in Humans, Science communication

Tags

biology, Cancer, Health, Human, Lung cancer, Metastasis, Popular science, science, Science communication, Science in Society, sclc patients, small cell lung cancer, Tumor, tumour cells

A team of researchers in the UK have discovered how the absence of a single gene makes it easier for tumour cells to migrate more freely in lung cancer patients. More people suffer — and die — from lung cancer than any other kind. Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an extremely aggressive form of lung cancer thanks to its tendency to metastasise quickly, spreading to other organs early. In order to migrate, metastasising tumour cells have to break free of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the network of material around our cells which supports them and binds them to each other. That’s where this particular gene, Fam38A, comes into the story. Continue reading →

From chimps to chickens: how a little DNA can make a lot of difference

06 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by sedeer in Development, Evolution, Genetics

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

alternative splicing, animals, biology, DNA, Gene, Genome, mammal, Messenger RNA, Popular science, RNA sequencing, RNA splicing, science, Species, Transcriptome, vertebrate

Humans and chimpanzees famously share more than 98% of their genome and yet the two species look and behave quite differently. This apparent paradox stretches well beyond our little corner of the tree of life; we share more than half our genes with chickens and those we share are 75% identical. Two studies published together in the December issue of Science tackled this perplexing discrepancy by showing that there may be more to a genome than meets the eye. Continue reading →

Found while foraging (December 31, 2012)

31 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Foraging

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

brain, gender, Genetics, glaciers, Good Men Project, gut bacteria, lego, memory, mental illness, parasite, photography, science, science and society, Science in Society, sexism, stars, stem cell, virus

I was hoping to spend lots of time writing during the winter holidays, but instead I’ve been enjoying the opportunity to spend time with my family. I’ve got a few promising posts in the works for early in the new year, but until then here’s another collection of odds and ends from around the web to keep you going. As always, feel free to add more links in the comments. I hope you’ve all enjoyed the winter/summer solstice and associated holidays.
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Christmas post: Let it snow!

22 Saturday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Complex systems, Development

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Christmas, crystal, Crystal growth, Crystallization, Ice, ice crystal, Popular science, science, snow, Snowflake, winter

Snowflakes, with their intricate patterns and captivating symmetry, are entrancingly beautiful and have become a ubiquitous icon of winter. Reading D’Arcy Thompson’s On Growth and Form during the plentiful and early snowfall we’ve enjoyed in southern Finland this winter, I couldn’t help but wonder how these remarkable structures form. I decided the right response would be to write a post about it and avail myself of the opportunity to learn about something new. We’re having a white Christmas in Finland, but wherever you are and whatever the weather may be, read on to find out what makes snowflakes so beautiful and whether each one really is unique. Continue reading →

Found while foraging (December 11, 2012)

11 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Foraging

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

famous psychology experiments, games, gender, Genetics, math, memory, mind, parasite, photography, rape, science, science and society, Science in Society, sexism, stanford prison experiment, video, videogames, virus, woman scientist

It’s been a while since I last shared a mish-mash of assorted links. Unfortunately I’ve been too busy recently to have the time to trawl aimlessly around the web, so there are fewer fruits from my foraging forays. Anyway, enough mixed metaphors and strained writing; here’s my latest collection of tidbits from the web for you to enjoy. Feel free to add more in the comments if you’d like.
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The ABCs of flowers

06 Thursday Dec 2012

Posted by sedeer in Development, Plants

≈ 4 Comments

Tags

biology, Developmental biology, Flower, Gene, Gynoecium, Petal, Plant, Popular science, science, Sepal, Stamen

In 1991, researchers at the California Institute of Technology described the basic genetic system behind how flowers are made. The “ABC model” that they proposed was so popular and successful that it was quickly taken up by the community and was even included in textbooks when I did my undergraduate studies just six years later. I remember being fascinated the first time I heard about it. This was the sort of thing that got me really excited — disparate facts were brought together in an elegant mechanism that could robustly set up a flower but was still flexible enough to create different forms. Now, over a decade later, I’d like to share this inspirational work with you. Continue reading →