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SCIENTISTS RESTRICTING THEIR OWN RESEARCH: THE HISTORICAL ASILOMAR MEETING
Forty years ago, at the birth of gene-editing technology, 140 brilliant scientists from all over the world met at Asilomar to discuss its usage. Now that they could join pieces of DNA in artificial ways, what should they do with it? What are the experiments they need to answer relevant questions? And more importantly, are those experiments safe and responsible? After 3 long days of intense discussion, scientists showed the public that they could self-regulate and set a precedent for scientific regulation.
GLOWING IN THE DEEP
Deep beneath the ocean, far beyond the reach of the sun’s rays, the waters pulsate and twinkle with electric blue light. Not distant stars, but marine organisms create this otherworldly glow, an enchanting adaptation called bioluminescence.
KEEP CALM AND METHYLATE ON
When cells are exposed to acute stresses they react with a series of molecular events collectively termed the 'cellular stress response.' Scientists in the Jaffrey group have revealed a novel method to fine-tuning the specific production of stress response proteins in a process they call m6A cap-independent translation.
GENETICALLY MODIFIED FOOD AND YOU!
Genetic modification has allowed us to make better crops and food, yet the majority of the public is skeptical of the safety and quality of genetically modified food. Are these opinions founded, or can we mass dispel the myths surrounding these new efficient crops?