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May 2023 Table of Contents

Feature

Composition of DNA with a glitch effect
“Silent” Mutations Make Noise In Cancer
Katarina Zimmer | May 1, 2023 | 10+ min read
Synonymous mutations have long been ignored in cancer studies since they don’t affect the amino acid sequences of proteins. But research increasingly reveals that they can have disease-driving effects.

Speaking of Science

May 2023 Digest cover
Ten Minute Sabbatical
Ten Minute Sabbatical
Take a break from the bench to puzzle and peruse

Modus Operandi

A photo of a dish in which cells, which look like small dots, have been enlarged and stained to make them visible to the naked eye.
New Swelling Technique Makes Cells Visible to the Naked Eye
New Swelling Technique Makes Cells Visible to the Naked Eye
A new technique, called Unclearing Microscopy, physically inflates and then stains cells to circumvent the need for expensive microscopes.

Infographics

Transcription illustration
Infographic: How “Silent” Mutations Can Disrupt Protein-Making
Infographic: How “Silent” Mutations Can Disrupt Protein-Making
Although scientists often assume that synonymous mutations don’t cause any biological effects because they don’t alter the amino acid code, recent research shows that they can influence transcription and translation in a variety of ways. 

The Literature

Ribbon diagram of the bacterial histone Bd0055
Bacteria Have Histones After All: Study
Bacteria Have Histones After All: Study
Researchers identify hundreds of candidate histone proteins in bacteria, including one with an unusual way of binding to DNA.
Closeup of a pair of hands in blue gloves holding a white mouse and injecting it with an amber colored liquid.
Opioids Recruit the Immune System to Cause Withdrawal Symptoms
Opioids Recruit the Immune System to Cause Withdrawal Symptoms
A study finds that T cells induced by heroin cross the blood-brain barrier to wreak havoc on the brain, hinting at new ways to prevent withdrawal.

Foundations

Image showing recombinant DNA
A Sticky Situation: Recombinant DNA Technology
A Sticky Situation: Recombinant DNA Technology
Janet Mertz’s work with simian virus 40 DNA during her graduate years was pivotal for developing DNA recombination as we now know it.
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