Trypanosoma brucei: epigenetic regulation and coat switching
By Zandile Nare, University of Edinburgh
Trypanosoma brucei is a parasite which is responsible for causing African sleeping sickness and nagana in cattle in sub-Saharan Africa. Cell differentiation in T. brucei is associated with the upregulation and downregulation of several genes some of which seem to be regulated by epigenetic mechanisms. T. brucei could therefore be a key tool in advancing knowledge in this field.
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Festive gift guide for scientists
by James Brown, Education and Public Engagement Manager
I don’t know about you, but I always seem to leave my Christmas shopping to the last minute. Every year I think I have plenty of time, but then before I know it it’s December 24th and I haven’t bought so much as a sprout. So, in an effort to be more organised and to help those of you who are like me, I present the quintessential gift guide for the insatiably curious. And if anyone is looking to get me something, this blog post happily doubles as my wish list. #multitasking
Finding the founding fathers of molecular biology
By Lisa Strittmatter, University of Cambridge, UK
My motivation to do a PhD at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge was driven by its place at the forefront of science. During my time here, I have come to realise how little I know about the origins of molecular biology. In 1957, the MRC institute was named ‘unit for Molecular Biology’. I decided it was high time to find out more and who better to narrate its history than its contemporary witnesses?
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PhD reflections 2.0: let’s reboot
By Ralitsa Madsen, University of Cambridge
“Software Update. iOS 8.0 is ready to install. To install the update, make sure your iPhone is connected to its charger.”
Every iPhone user gets this notification on a regular basis. I am sure other smartphone systems have similar setups. Note how important it is that the hardware is charged. If it is not, the software can’t be installed. In fact, a completely dead battery means that not even the old software will be running.
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