By Abbey Rebok DNA, the complex code that defines our existence, is under constant assault by a slew of both exogenous (e.g. UV radiation, tobacco smoke) and endogenous (e.g. spontaneous chemical modifications) DNA-damaging agents. Limiting your exposure to exogeneous agents may decrease your overall DNA damage burden, but normal biological processes also generate DNA damage. … Continue reading Mishaps in Mismatch Repair: Understanding Lynch Syndrome Etiology
Month: December 2023
The Stars in Our Brains: The Role of Astrocytes in Alcohol Use
By Mariam Melkumyan What are those star-shaped cells doing in our brains? Astrocytes are rightly named for their stellate shape, and in my opinion, they are the star of the show when it comes to the functioning of the brain. Astrocytes are important for the blood-brain barrier, for giving support to neurons by supplying the … Continue reading The Stars in Our Brains: The Role of Astrocytes in Alcohol Use
The Hunt for an RSV Vaccine: Trials, Tribulations, and Eventual Successes of Vaccine Development
By Zoe Katz Over sixty years have passed since the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was first discovered, and after decades of failure, two vaccines have been approved for distribution in the United States. To individuals with a competent immune system, infection with RSV presents as nothing but a cold. For those who are immunocompromised – … Continue reading The Hunt for an RSV Vaccine: Trials, Tribulations, and Eventual Successes of Vaccine Development
Lions Talk Science 