Biometricians vs Mendelians: What a century old debate ago can teach researchers today

There is a historical precedent for major scientific advances that have come from those who have not necessarily followed the traditional academic route for their field. The field of genetics has been no exception to this phenomenon, from its conception by a particularly tenacious Augustinian monk to the somewhat less well-known story of a certain English public school teacher, Ronald Fisher. Continue reading Biometricians vs Mendelians: What a century old debate ago can teach researchers today

Researching the Genetic Basis and Molecular Mechanisms behind Eczema

Affecting approximately 20-30% of children and 2-3% of adults globally, eczema (which is synonymous with atopic dermatitis) is the most common skin disease at present. Primarily characterised as an itchy and inflammatory skin disease, research has aimed to answer the question of what causes eczema? Continue reading Researching the Genetic Basis and Molecular Mechanisms behind Eczema

Investigating Somatic Mutations in Cancer Development

All sporadic cancer is caused by acquired somatic mutations (mutations that take place within cells of the body that are not passed down/inherited). Mutations often occur by incorrect repair of DNA damage by impaired DNA pathways such as the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway and the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) pathway. Continue reading Investigating Somatic Mutations in Cancer Development