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SubscribeMay 2023 Table of Contents
AN INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE
This Issue
May 2023
"Silent" Mutations Make Noise in Cancer
Synonymous mutations have been overlooked, but research reveals that they can drive cancer
Feature
“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
Ten Minute Sabbatical
Ten Minute Sabbatical
Take a break from the bench to puzzle and peruse
Modus Operandi
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
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
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.
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
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.