Category: Chemistry

Biology, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry

Decoding the Lon Enzyme’s Protein Recognition Code

Author: Antonia Truta, Class of 2028 Lon protease is an important enzyme within the mitochondria’s inner membrane. This enzyme specifically regulates protein homeostasis, meaning it helps keep the protein levels within the cell balanced. The Lon protease acts by breaking down damaged or misfolded proteins that lack proper structure to function correctly and may harm the cell. Lon also degrades certain regulatory proteins whose levels … Continue reading Decoding the Lon Enzyme’s Protein Recognition Code

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2024-25, Brain, Chemistry, Neuroscience

Taste Discrimination: How We Learn to Identify Similar Foods

Author: Asher Agarwal, Class of 2027 Figure 1. A brown mouse eating food. The ability to discriminate similar, partially overlapping sensory stimuli is critical for an animal to survive in its environment. For example, in taste, learning discrimination becomes the difference between consuming a nutritious food item and a toxic one. Previous research done on other senses supports 2 models: one that learning may enhance … Continue reading Taste Discrimination: How We Learn to Identify Similar Foods

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2024-25, Chemistry, Degenerative Disease, Disease, Molecular Biology, Neurology, Neuroscience

Lipid Accumulation Found as a Mechanism of Cellular Senescence in Parkinson’s Disease

Author: Asher Agarwal, Class of 2027 Figure 1. A man assisting an old patient with taking their medication. Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with neuronal death, specifically of the dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the region of the brain responsible for motor coordination and control. The death of these neurons, most commonly due to aging, causes a classic triad of symptoms: bradykinesia (slow … Continue reading Lipid Accumulation Found as a Mechanism of Cellular Senescence in Parkinson’s Disease

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2024-25, Chemistry

The Magnesium Alchemist: Crafting Rechargeable Batteries

Author: Sajia Athai, Class of 2026 Figure 1. A magnesium-based battery. From putting AAA alkaline batteries into remotes to rechargeable batteries in Teslas, modern applications require high-energy rechargeable batteries to function efficiently and sustainably. The tubular structure of batteries conceals the inner dynamics of solvent exchange,  the journey of solvent molecules moving in and out of the ion’s solvation shell in electrolytes. Magnesium-based rechargeable batteries … Continue reading The Magnesium Alchemist: Crafting Rechargeable Batteries

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2024-25, Biology, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry, Embryonic Development, Genetics, Molecular Biology

Novel Insights Into the Mechanism of DSB Repair During Meiosis Crossover Events

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Image of cells at various stages of meiosis. Meiosis is a key process underlying sexual reproduction and is responsible for the production of gametes, sperm, and eggs, which are necessary for fertilization. One important aspect of meiosis is that it contributes to the process of genetic diversification through genetic recombination, which involves the crossing over and independent … Continue reading Novel Insights Into the Mechanism of DSB Repair During Meiosis Crossover Events

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2024-25, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry, Molecular Biology

FOXO1: A Memory Upgrader for T-cells!

Author: Farzad Hoque, Class of 2028 The persistence and effectiveness of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies depend significantly on the ability of these cells to maintain memory-like states while avoiding exhaustion. Recent research has identified the transcription factor FOXO1 as a critical regulator of memory programming in CAR T cells, offering transformative insights into improving therapeutic outcomes. Alexander E. Doan and colleagues conducted a … Continue reading FOXO1: A Memory Upgrader for T-cells!

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2024-25, Cancer, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry, discovery, Health, Health and Medicine, Medicine and Physiology

Utilizing the Principle of Pro-Cancer Properties of Antioxidants to Treat Prostate Cancer

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Depiction of various foods that are commonly associated with having antioxidant properties.Prostate cancer (PC) has become a growing concern for men as its rate of incidence has been steadily increasing by more than 3% per year for the past decade. As a result, many have been searching for various treatments and interventions during PC progression to help … Continue reading Utilizing the Principle of Pro-Cancer Properties of Antioxidants to Treat Prostate Cancer

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2024-25, Biology, Cancer, Cell Cycle, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry, Health and Medicine, Molecular Biology

Understanding the Mechanisms of the Leading Cause of Death in Cancer Patients

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Figure 1. Animated representation of the release of cytokines in the extracellular environment. Cancer is a disease that wreaks devastation on the bodies of the patients it afflicts. Cancerous tumor cells lead to the sickness observed in cancer patients in a variety of ways, but one of the primary causes of cancer-related sickness and death is referred to as … Continue reading Understanding the Mechanisms of the Leading Cause of Death in Cancer Patients

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2023-24, Brain, Chemistry, Degenerative Disease, Disease, General Neuroscience, Health and Medicine

Uncovering a Novel Biomarker For The Identification of Parkinson’s-Related Diseases

Author: Sean Krivitsky, Class of 2026 Parkinson’s disease is a severe neurodegenerative disorder most commonly occurring in late adulthood. It is primarily characterized by motor dysfunctions such as uncontrollable tremors and stiffness. Since there is no conclusive test for diagnosis of the disorder, neurologists rely on a comprehensive evaluation system, combining symptoms and physical assessments to gauge the likelihood that an individual has Parkinson’s. A … Continue reading Uncovering a Novel Biomarker For The Identification of Parkinson’s-Related Diseases

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Biology, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry

Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin in Endometriosis Management

Author: Kimberly Johnston ’26 Endometriosis is defined by the growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus where it does not belong. It occurs in about 10% of women of reproductive age and leads to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Despite the prevalence of this disease, its cause remains unknown. While there is no known cure to endometriosis, there are methods of symptom management, including hormone … Continue reading Exploring the Therapeutic Potential of Melatonin in Endometriosis Management

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2023-24, Cancer, Cellular and Molecular Science, Chemistry

EN1 Protein Has Been Recognized as Playing a Key Role in Pancreatic Cancer

Author: Sean Krivitsky ‘26 Pancreatic cancer stands out as one of the most severe forms of cancer, accounting for the third most cancer-related deaths. Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is a form of pancreatic cancer that involves a high degree of metastasis, which refers to the ability of the cancer to spread. This cancer develops as a result of mutations that result in the activation of … Continue reading EN1 Protein Has Been Recognized as Playing a Key Role in Pancreatic Cancer

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2022-23, Biology, Chemistry, Molecular Biology

Mosquito Magnets: Coincidence or Chemicals?

Peter Gillespie ’25 Mosquitos continue to become a burden on global health as rampant vectors for disease, embedding threatening viruses beneath itchy welts that are a nuisance in themselves. However, while one person might return from a mosquito-laden environment riddled with these welts, another might escape unscathed. New research from De Olbadia et al. reveals that this phenomenon is not mere unlucky coincidence, but rather … Continue reading Mosquito Magnets: Coincidence or Chemicals?

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