I want you to take a moment and think back to the COVID-19 pandemic. Do you remember the uncertainty, and the sense that the future itself was on pause? As a species, we collectively yearned for reprieve from the virus that was keeping us apart. At times, it was hard to imagine when, or if, life would return back to normal. Then, we got a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel. Through unprecedented global collaboration and billions of dollars in federal funding from multiple countries, scientists around the world worked tirelessly to find a solution. The United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is the largest public funder of biomedical research globally, played a central role in advancing these efforts and supporting the science that would change the course of the pandemic.
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The Road to Immunity: Exploring Vaccine Development
When we think of vaccines, we often picture a quick shot at the doctor’s office, a slight pinch that protects us from harmful pathogens and viruses. But behind every vaccine is a complex and fascinating journey- one that includes innovation, rigorous testing and countless hours of research. Think of your immune system as a marathon runner, always preparing for the next race. In that case, how much does training play a role?
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Is art good for my brain?
I had always enjoyed making art and being creative, but I never thought it was my “thing” so to speak. When I went to university and graduate school, I got busy and art got pushed to the side. That is, until I signed up for a zoom paint night in 2021; after that, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe how much fun I had and how during the whole experience, I wasn’t really thinking or anxious about my research and my project.
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Should you lift on your period?
Ah, the low energy, food cravings, and wanting to rest on the couch. Is this all just an excuse for being on your period and not wanting to work out? There is a lot more to understand about these hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle than you may realize! Learning about the menstrual cycle and hormonal changes can shape the way you train.
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How Genetics Can Save Your Dinner Party
Imagine this scenario: two people have the exact same error (or mutation) in the exact same gene. However, one person shows devastating symptoms of a genetic disease while the other has mild or no symptoms at all. This situation is the reality for many genetic diseases1. The reason for this shocking difference can be due to something known as a suppressor. A suppressor is a gene somewhere else in your genome (the instructions in your cells) that offsets the effect of the original mutation. Figuring out how suppressors work can teach us about how genetic diseases occur. They could also lead to something even greater: a cure.
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Optogenetics - A therapeutic light on the horizon
Picture this: for the last 40 years, you’ve been suffering from a rare genetic disease known as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), causing a gradual breakdown of your retina, which your eyes use to process visual information. Since your diagnosis, your vision has slowly deteriorated, worsening with each passing year, leaving you legally blind and only able to perceive light. To make matters worse, in the 40 years following your diagnosis there have been no effective treatments for RP, leaving you without hope of ever restoring your vision. That is, until you heard about an experimental therapy known as Optogenetics…
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