Guest editing an issue of ‘Essays in Biochemistry’ on the Extracellular Matrix
The extracellular matrix (ECM) has fascinated me ever since I was a student, newly introduced to the concept that interactions between cells build and sustain multi-cellular tissues. Unlike the cells of plants or fungi, animal cells have no cell wall: molecules secreted by animal cells into the extracellular space can bind directly to plasma membrane receptors to influence gene expression and cell behaviour. Continue reading Guest editing an issue of ‘Essays in Biochemistry’ on the Extracellular Matrix
Lessons from the Young Life Scientists’ symposium
One of the driving forces behind us organising NEB2019, was a lack of alternative meetings focused on our research topic. Whilst it can be interesting to broaden your horizons at conferences, sometimes you just long to settle into a set of talks that are directly relevant to your own research. Continue reading Lessons from the Young Life Scientists’ symposium
Proteins that do not give up easily: Heat-stable & acid-stable proteins
Although most proteins are heat-labile, some proteins are known to be stable even at the boiling temperature of water. Continue reading Proteins that do not give up easily: Heat-stable & acid-stable proteins
Prime editing – a cutting edge new development in genomic engineering
Most biologists would agree that the most extraordinary development of the 21st century has been the discovery and manipulation of the CRISPR/Cas9 method of gene editing – a natural defence mechanism that bacteria use to defend against viral infection which scientists have hijacked to modify the DNA sequence of living cells. Continue reading Prime editing – a cutting edge new development in genomic engineering
