Gene expression is the process by which a gene is transcribed into mRNA, and then subsequently translated into a functional protein. Transcription factors are proteins that directly bind DNA to turn gene expression on or off. One transcription factor can regulate hundreds - or even thousands - of different genes, making these proteins master regulators [...]
Transformational research changes the way that you think. It resets your perspective, reshapes your expectations, and changes your sense of what is possible. It prompts you to revisit previous studies and interpret them through a new lens, often offering explanations for previously unresolved gaps in knowledge. For example, cancer is typically considered to be a [...]
The proteasome is a large multi-protein complex that degrades proteins. You can think of it as the cell’s “garbage disposal”: it is shaped like a tube, and proteins enter this tube before being chewed up (cleaved) and expelled out the other end. The proteasome has several key roles: Turning off cellular processes by degrading the [...]
Imagine trying to find your friend in a stadium packed with people, except the stadium contained not 60,000 people, but 60 trillion. A single human cell is almost unimaginably complex, containing trillions of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, protein, lipids, etc). A simple yet important question is how these components are organized so that they can cooperate [...]
Cancer vaccines are on the horizon, set to become a vital component of the inevitable but multifaceted cure for cancer. Our bodies are teeming with bacteria, both inside and out, many of which provide health benefits. But why does the immune system—which is designed to recognize and attack foreign invaders—tolerate these friendly-yet-foreign commensal bacteria? The [...]
After decades of unsuccessful attempts to develop an HIV vaccine—primarily due to the virus's high mutation rate—scientists at Gilead Pharmaceuticals have developed a novel small molecule drug that prevents HIV infection by disrupting the assembly of HIV capsid proteins, which encapsulate the virus's genome. Remarkably, since capsid proteins are present in all viruses, this innovative [...]
The Summer 2025 workshops on molecular medicine are now open for applications! These workshops are designed for motivated middle school and high school students, with both online and in-person options available. In-person workshops will take place at prestigious institutions such as UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, Columbia University, and University College London, as well as [...]
One of the empowering aspects of molecular biology is the realization that every health-related phenomenon has a molecular mechanism behind it. This applies not only to life-threatening, tangible health issues like cancer, but also to subtle experiences like the fleeting feelings that flash across the subconscious mind. In other words, there is no "magic"—every phenomenon [...]
GLP-1 agonist drugs, such as Ozempic, have revolutionized the treatment of obesity and its associated comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease. These drugs mimic proteins naturally produced after eating and they act on the brain to stimulate feelings of satiety. However, the long-term effects and efficacy of these medications remain unclear. For [...]
Our ability to visualize molecular biology has grown exponentially, and the images and movies are often very beautiful. Here, Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) provides a portal into this world. You’ll need some bandwidth! Beautiful Biology