Category: Science

phys.org

New method allows scientists to edit genes in mitochondria, the little energy factories inside cells, which was impossible until now, even with CRISPR.
It will make it easier to study rare diseases caused by mitochondrial mutations, making it possible to fix certain mitochondrial genes without destroying others.
One team identified a protein that worked on double-stranded DNA, another team found a way to insert it into the mitochondria, and a third team verified the results.
By splitting the protein in half, inserting it into the mitochondria and reassembling it there, they are able to modify genes without destroying the mitochondria.
Now they want to find more proteins that will modify other genes - it’s a huge step for the field of gene editing, but it’s still a long way from being useful in medicine.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on July 9, 2020

Scientists discovered that by inhibiting or deleting a gene that encodes PTB (protein on/off switch for genes), they can turn mouse cells directly into neurons.
Now, this finding has been applied to astrocytes (cells in mice brains), turning them into neurons that produce dopamine, in effect curing Parkinson’s symptoms.
Compared to other methods to generate neurons, like stem cells, this method is surprisingly easy and effective.
After a single treatment, mice regained limb movement and response, and remained free of Parkinson’s symptoms for the rest of their lives.
It’s unclear if turning off PTB in human brain cells could generate neurons and alleviate neurodegenerative diseases, the team is moving towards human trials.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on June 26, 2020

phys.org

The math problem in question is the discrete diffusion equation in finite space.
Until now, defining the probability of encountering and transmitting a particle in a closed space required huge computer simulations (= lots of wasted time and energy).
The solution to the basic diffusion equation has been known for a long time, but nobody knew how to quickly solve it for, say, one particular day and place.
This will help scientists from many different fields, for example in predicting molecule diffusion in cells, the moves of bacteria in a petri dish, or animal movements.
It could even help predict how a virus moves between individuals in a crowd in a confined space.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on June 3, 2020

Scientists are gathering crucial data about the viral components that make up infectious particles, but the information doesn’t give us a big picture of the virus.
In order to help everyone understand the virus, scientists created detailed 3D models of the virus particle.
It’s a wonderful collaboration of art and science - a freelance scientific illustrator, virus research scientists, and a team of visualisation / simulation experts.
Images and videos are available on the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) COVID-19 website (click the link above the first bullet, below the title).
The project is an attempt to collect all currently known information about COVID, and present it in a way that will help people understand it.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 27, 2020

nature.com

New study on people who became blind during their life (ie weren’t blind from birth), and have damaged eyes / optic nerves, but not the brain part that actually “sees”.
The study shows that when you stimulate the “seeing” part of their brains with precise patterns of electrical impulses, they kind of see the things you’re trying to show.
So far scientists have only “shown” (i.e. transmitted directly into their brains) the shapes of letters like “N” or “Z”.
This is very early stage, but it’s a promising sign that perhaps in the future blind people will be able to see without seeing.

Bulleted by Michał Słupski
on May 20, 2020

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