Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences 
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This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.Science Snippet: Breaking Down Biodegradability
Have you ever noticed plastic utensils or paper plates labeled as “biodegradable” and wondered what that meant? Materials are biodegradable when microorganisms such as bacteria can break them down into their building blocks.
Biodegradable Plastics
Plastic is everywhere: Milk jugs, grocery bags, and takeout containers are just a few examples. There are many types of plastic, but they’re all made up of long chains of repeating subunits called polymers. These polymers are designed to be durable and resistant to factors like heat, sunlight, and water, which makes them useful in a variety of situations.
Toget...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - April 17, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology STEM Education Bacteria Science Snippet Source Type: blogs
Martin Burke: Replacing Lost Proteins to Treat Disease
As a medical student, Martin Burke, M.D., Ph.D., helped care for a young college student with cystic fibrosis (CF), an inherited disease that affects the body’s ability to make sweat and mucus. Dr. Burke had just studied CF in class, so he relayed what he had learned to her. He had a lot of information to give—doctors and researchers know the exact amino acid changes in an ion channel protein called cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) that cause CF.
Credit: UIUC News Bureau, Fred Zwicky.
“At one point in the conversation, she stopped me and said, ‘It sounds like you know exactly what’s...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - April 10, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Tools and Techniques Medicines Profiles Source Type: blogs
What Is Genetics?
This post is the first in our miniseries on genetics. Stay tuned for more!
Genetics is the study of genes and heredity—how traits are passed from parents to children through DNA. A gene is a segment of DNA that contains instructions for building one or more molecules that help the body work. Researchers estimate that humans have about 20,000 genes, which account for about 1 percent of our DNA. The remainder of the DNA plays a role in regulating genes, and scientists are researching other potential functions.
DNA Details
Credit: NIGMS.
DNA is shaped like a twisted ladder, called a double heli...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - April 8, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Genes Common questions DNA Genetics Miniseries Genomics Source Type: blogs
In Other Words: What Being Unionized Means for Molecules
Did you know that molecules can be unionized? But it doesn’t mean they form a labor union. In chemistry, unionized (pronounced “un-ionized”) is the opposite of ionized, which means “electrically charged.”
Credit: NIGMS.
Unionized molecules don’t have electrical charges because they have the same number of electrons and protons. Ionized molecules, also called ions, become charged by gaining or losing electrons. Ions with extra electrons, known as anions, have a negative charge. Ions with fewer electrons than normal, called cations, have a positive charge.
Unionization’s Impacts
A molecule’s c...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - April 3, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Tools and Techniques In Other Words Source Type: blogs
Investigating the Primary Cilium: Q & A With Xuecai Ge
Credit: Courtesy of Dr. Xuecai Ge.
The brain is a large and complex organ, but some very small structures guide its development. Xuecai Ge, Ph.D., an associate professor of molecular and cell biology at the University of California, Merced (UC Merced), has devoted her career to understanding one of these structures called the primary cilium. In an interview, Dr. Ge shared how her childhood experience inspired her to study science and what makes the primary cilium fascinating.
Q: How did you first become interested in science?
A: When I was a little kid, my mom was a primary care doctor, and I saw her treat patients...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 27, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Cells Cellular Processes Profiles Source Type: blogs
What Is the Microbiome?
Have you ever noticed a skin care product advertised as “microbiome friendly” and wondered what that meant? The microbiome is the collection of all the microbes—including bacteria, viruses, and fungi—that live in a specific environment, such as on the skin or in the digestive tract.
Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a bacterial species commonly found in the human intestine. While some strains of E. coli cause foodborne illness, others are helpful members of the gut microbiome.Credit: Mark Ellisman and Thomas Deerinck, National Center for Microscopy and Imaging Research, University of California, San Diego.
It’s ...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 20, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Cells Common questions Microbes Microbiome Source Type: blogs
Science Snippet: Examining Enzymes
Structure of a pyruvate kinase, an enzyme that adds a phosphate group to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to make adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Credit: PDB 7UEH.
Every day, our cells must produce all the various molecules they need to stay alive. But the chemical reactions to create these molecules can’t occur without help—which is where enzymes come in. Enzymes are biological catalysts, meaning they speed up the rate of specific chemical reactions by reducing the amount of energy needed for the reaction to occur. Most enzymes are proteins, but some RNA molecules can also act as enzymes.
Thousands of different enzymes ...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 13, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Cells Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Cellular Processes Proteins Science Snippet Source Type: blogs
Quiz: Do You Know Your Immune System?
This post is part of a miniseries on the immune system. Be sure to check out the other posts in this series that you may have missed.
Credit: NIGMS.
Throughout our immunology miniseries, we introduced the immune system and its many functions and components. Additionally, we highlighted how vaccines train your immune system, how the system can go awry, and how NIGMS-supported researchers are studying immunology and infectious diseases. Put your knowledge about the immune system to the test by taking the quiz below.
QUIZ START
Learn more in our Educator’s Corner.
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Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 11, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Cells Injury and Illness STEM Education Common questions Immunology Miniseries Infectious Diseases Medicines Microbes Quiz Source Type: blogs
Research Organism Superheroes: Axolotls
The friendly-looking axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) doesn’t seem to have much in common with its namesake, Xolotl—the Aztec god of lightning, death, and fire. In fact, axolotls can regrow lost limbs and other body parts like organs and parts of their central nervous systems—which goes against the concept of death!
The axolotl can regenerate almost any body part, including brain, heart, jaws, limbs, lungs, ovaries, spinal cord, skin, and tail. This ability makes it an excellent research organism to study in the search for regenerative medicine. Credit: Marko Pende, MDI Biological Laboratory; MDI Biological Labor...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - March 6, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: STEM Education Tools and Techniques Coloring Pages Cool Creatures Regeneration Research Organisms Source Type: blogs
Amie Fornah Sankoh Achieves a Scientific Dream
Credit: LinkedIn.
“I wanted to give up so many times. Although I tried to remain positive, I never thought I’d be able to finish my Ph.D. But I made it, and I’m extremely proud of myself,” says Amie Fornah Sankoh, Ph.D., a research scientist with Dow Chemical Company who received NIGMS support as a graduate student.
Human and Plant Communication
Dr. Sankoh has loved science and mathematics since she was just a child growing up in Sierra Leone. When she was 3 years old, Dr. Sankoh became deaf from a childhood disease. Math, unlike other subjects, is very visual, which played a part in her interest in it. “...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 28, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Profiles Training Source Type: blogs
Developing Low-Cost Lab Techniques: Q & A With Abraham Badu-Tawiah
Credit: Ohio State University.
“I never thought I could make an impact on chemistry and students’ lives. But now, I’m the head of a lab with several Ph.D. and undergraduate students and a postdoctoral researcher; and we’re developing simple, low-cost lab techniques that can be adopted by labs across the world,” says Abraham Badu-Tawiah, Ph.D., the Robert K. Fox Professor of Chemistry at Ohio State University in Columbus. We talked with Dr. Badu-Tawiah about his career progression, research, and advice for students hoping to launch a career in science.
Q: How did you get started on the path to a career in sci...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 21, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology Tools and Techniques Profiles Source Type: blogs
Cool Images: Radiant in Red
Happy Valentine’s Day! In place of red roses, we hope you’ll accept a bouquet of beautiful scientific images featuring rich, red hues. Be sure to click all the way through to see the festive protein flowing through your blood!
For more scientific photos, illustrations, and videos in all the colors of the rainbow, visit our image and video gallery.
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Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 14, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Cells Molecular Structures Cellular Imaging Cool Images Proteins Source Type: blogs
What Does an Immunologist Do?
This post is part of a miniseries on the immune system. Be sure to check out the other posts in this series that you may have missed.
Immunology is the study of the immune system, including all the cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect you from germs. A person who studies immunology is called an immunologist, and there are three types:
Researchers, who study the immune system in the laboratory to understand how it works or how it can go awry and find new treatments for immune system-related diseases
Doctors, who diagnose and care for patients with diseases related to the immune system, such as ...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 12, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist Cells Injury and Illness Immunology Miniseries Infectious Diseases Medicines Microbes Research Roundup Source Type: blogs
Broadening Opportunities for Students in STEM at Brown University and Beyond
Credit: Courtesy of Brown University.
Andrew G. Campbell, Ph.D., a professor of medical science at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and previous dean of the graduate school, is passionate about researching understudied diseases and helping students reach their full potential.
Dr. Campbell’s lab has studied the single-cell organism Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), a parasite transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly, which is only found in specific regions of Africa. In humans, T. brucei causes African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. Symptoms of this illness include headache, weakne...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 8, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist STEM Education Profiles Training Source Type: blogs
Increasing Opportunities in STEM at Brown University and Beyond
Credit: Courtesy of Brown University.
Andrew G. Campbell, Ph.D., a professor of medical science at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and previous dean of the graduate school, is passionate about researching understudied diseases and helping students reach their full potential.
Dr. Campbell’s lab has studied the single-cell organism Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), a parasite transmitted through the bite of the tsetse fly, which is only found in specific regions of Africa. In humans, T. brucei causes African Trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. Symptoms of this illness include headache, weakne...
Source: Biomedical Beat Blog - National Institute of General Medical Sciences - February 7, 2024 Category: Research Authors: Chrissa Chverchko Tags: Being a Scientist STEM Education Profiles Training Source Type: blogs
