BioQuakes

AP Biology class blog for discussing current research in Biology

Author: mattochondrubinia

Unlocking the Future: How CRISPR’s New Upgrade is Supercharging Gene Editing

By

On April 11, 2025

In Student Post

Researchers at Yale University have developed a new approach using CRISPR-Cas12a technology to create advanced mouse models for studying genetic interactions that influence immune responses to diseases like cancer. This method allows scientists to simultaneously analyze multiple genes in a single experiment, making genetic research more efficient and insightful. 

File:CRISPR CAS9 technology.png - Wikimedia Commons

Over the past 15 years, advancements in the gene-editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 have provided significant insights into the roles specific genes play in various diseases. However, this technology, which uses a “guide” RNA, a small piece of RNA used in CRISPR gene editing to help scientists find the exact spot on the DNA they want to change, to modify DNA sequences and assess the outcomes, is currently limited to targeting, deleting, replacing, or modifying only single gene sequences at a time. 

 

However, the scientists have now created advanced mouse models using CRISPR  technology that enables them to simultaneously evaluate genetic interactions across various immunological responses to multiple diseases like cancer. Gene editing technologies enable scientists to use enzymes, such as Cas9, as molecular scissors to precisely cut or modify specific segments of DNA or RNA, providing valuable insights into the role of these genes in various disorders. The new tool, CRISPR-Cas12a, allows researchers to simultaneously evaluate the effects of multiple genetic changes that influence different immune system responses, according to the researchers.

 

The research noted this advancement could be valuable in the future to combat a host of pathologies, including cancer, metabolic disease, autoimmune disease, and neurological disorders.

 

This connects to AP Bio in multiple ways. For example, modifying genes can affect cellular functions and processes like cell division and apoptosis. This new technology is used to understand how changes in specific genes can influence cell behavior, which is essential in studying diseases like cancer. In addition, the new developments in CRISPR can be used to study impacts gene editing has on the immune system, and its various responses and functions throughout the body. Lastly, genetic mutation can be better understood through CRISPR editing as it effectively is creating its own “mutation”, changing sequences of codons to form different amino acids after DNA Replication, Transcription, and Translation. What are your thoughts on this research? How can it impact how we know genetics as we understand it today?

Nature’s Blueprint: Harnessing the Morpho Butterfly’s Light Manipulation to Create More Efficient Cancer Diagnosis

By

On March 7, 2025

In Student Post

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed an innovative method for cancer diagnosis inspired by the Morpho butterfly’s wing structures. The butterflies are known for shimmering blue wings, which are derived from microscopic structures that manipulate light rather than pigments. This is incredibly useful for cheaper, invasive-free cancer diagnosis.

Morpho Butterfly

One way that the degree of someone’s cancer is evaluated is through analyzing someone’s Fibrosis, which is the accumulation of fibrous tissue. In oncology, evaluating the extent of fibrosis in a biopsy sample can help determine whether a patient’s cancer is in an early or advanced stage. However, it is currently difficult to distinguish stages of fibrosis using current clinical methods, which includes physical exams, blood tests, bone marrow tests, genetic tests, and imaging tests. Existing techniques rely on staining tissues to highlight key structures in tumor biopsies, but interpretations can vary between doctors. While advanced imaging technologies offer greater detail, they require costly, specialized equipment that many clinics lack.

 

This is where the Morpho butterfly plays a crucial role. The researchers found that placing a biopsy sample on a Morpho butterfly wing and examining it under a standard microscope allows them to determine what phase tumor’s structure is currently at without requiring stains or expensive imaging equipment. This is critical because many clinics can’t afford the highest quality equipment. Also, the research team claims “It’s also more objective and quantitative than current methods,” which is amazing for patients. 

The researchers discovered that the microscopic and nanoscopic structures of the Morpho butterfly wing respond strongly to polarized light, which is a type of light that moves in a specific direction. Collagen fibers, a key structural component of fibrotic tissue, also interact with polarized light, but their signals are typically weak. By placing a biopsy sample on a Morpho butterfly wing, the researchers amplified these signals, making it easier to assess the density and arrangement of collagen fibers. To quantify these findings, the team developed a mathematical model based for analyzing polarized light. This model translates light intensity into a measurable indicator of collagen fiber density and organization, providing an objective metric to assess fibrosis in the tissue. 

This breakthrough is significant because early cancer detection is challenging in many parts of the world due to limited resources. This simpler and more accessible tool can help diagnose patients before the cancer reaches advanced stages. This current study focused on breast cancer, but they plan to expand their research to other tissue and parts of the body. 

This connects to AP Biology because in many organisms, color arises from pigments, molecules that absorb certain wavelengths of light and reflect others. For example, chlorophyll in plants absorbs red and blue light while reflecting green, which is why leaves appear green. However, the Morpho butterfly does not rely on pigments for its brilliant blue color; instead, it uses its structure, where microscopic structures manipulate light to produce color. These structures interact with light to show their color. In addition, collagen fibers, long, fibrous proteins that make up part of the extracellular matrix. Collagen is a structural protein composed of amino acids, forming a triple helix structure that gives the fibers strength and flexibility. The collagen also interacts with polarized light, but their signals are typically weak. By placing a biopsy sample on a Morpho butterfly wing, the wing’s nanostructures amplified these weak signals, making it easier to analyze the tissue without using chemical stains. To me, the most compelling part of this research is that it is simply utilizing a phenomenon of a species. What other species could we try to utilize in research like this? What are your thoughts on this new discovery and its potential implications?

Squeaking Ahead: Mice Take the Lead in COVID-19 Research

By

On December 17, 2024

In Student Post

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory and Trudeau Institute discovered that a specific mouse type, called the “CAST” mouse, naturally shows severe COVID-19 symptoms without requiring genetic changes. Previously, mice required genetic modification in order to experience severe responses to COVID-19, which both helped and hindered research. This finding, alongside the broader research it’s a part of, offers exciting possibilities for studying the disease and advancing treatment development.

The CAST mouse, which was part of a study on eight genetically diverse mouse strains, was uniquely vulnerable to COVID-19. Unlike other strains that experienced mild symptoms or recovered fully, the CAST mice exhibited severe illness from all of the COVID-19 variants that significantly affected humans. Their distinct susceptibility to the virus is highly valuable for research.

 

The CAST mice serve as this excellent model for studying severe COVID-19 symptoms in humans because they aren’t genetically modified. When infected, they display high viral loads in their lungs and show lung damage similar to the hyperinflammatory response seen in severe human cases, without involving brain infections, which was an issue in earlier genetically modified models. These brain infections, alongside other effects from genetic modification, severely impact our ability to understand the virus. However, this new development in the CAST mice allows researchers to closely study human-like responses to the virus on a clean genetic backdrop, which will advance understanding and treatment development.

 

The CAST mouse provides critical insights into the acute effects of COVID-19 and researchers hope to use the mice to better understand the long-term impacts of the virus. Unlike traditional or engineered models, it mimics human-like responses, making it invaluable for studying the disease. Further research on these mice may lead to a deeper understanding of COVID-19, improved vaccine development, and better preparedness for future outbreaks.

 

This research ties into AP Biology by examining infection and vaccines, which are part of the immune system unit. When the body fights an infection, the adaptive immune response causes macrophages and dendritic cells to present the antigen, triggering the release of interleukins that activate helper T-cells. These helper T-cells then stimulate other T-cells to divide into T-memory and T-killer cells. Additionally, they stimulate B-cells to split into B-plasma and B-memory cells. All of these cells work together to fight the infection by killing or neutralizing the pathogen and creating immunity for future exposures. Vaccines are important because they introduce a non-lethal form of the antigen to the body in order to initiate this first immune response.  As a result, the body can mount a stronger and quicker defense upon subsequent exposure to the same infection. While there are ethical considerations, I wonder which other animals could be used to study COVID-19. What are your thoughts on this new discovery and its potential implications?

 

Hibernating Ribosomes?

By

On October 22, 2024

In Student Post

Scientists in the European Molecular Biology Laboratory have discovered a remarkable adaptation to starvation in yeast cells. When a yeast cell yearns for nutrients, its ribosomes begin to coat the cell’s mitochondria. It turns out these ribosomes aren’t producing anything, but rather they are in hibernation. Producing proteins requires a lot of energy, so the conservation of energy through hibernation allows the cell to survive. 

Spoon with active dry yeast for baking bread

Scientists were curious about why the ribosomes specifically cling to the mitochondria.  One explanation is that the mitochondria could provide protection to the ribosomes. There are forms of mitochondria that can protect parts of the cell, so this is a possible outlook. Another potential explanation for the ribosomes activity is starving cells need a way to quickly start producing energy once nutrients are available again. Since mitochondria are the energy producers of the cell, having ribosomes nearby to produce necessary proteins might speed this process. 

The most surprising part of this study was that the ribosomes attached to the mitochondrial outer membrane in a way that is completely different from what is known. Normally, ribosomes interact with the mitochondria via the large subunit, but in the yeast, the ribosomes were interacting with the small subunit. The research team plans to follow up this study by learning more about why this difference occurs. 

This study is critical in understanding the spread of cancer cells. Cancer cells grow so rapidly that their demand for nutrients and oxygen outpaces the supply. This means most cancer cells are constantly starving themselves. Yet, they survive and multiply. If we can understand the foundations of this adaptation, maybe we can find a way to take advantage of the starving cancer cells and make them more susceptible to treatment. 

This connects to AP Bio because the curriculum covers the functions of the mitochondria and ribosomes but this research shows an abnormal aspect of them. Normally, the mitochondria is the site of cell respiration, converting glucose into ATP. The enzymes that  perform reactions in the matrix are embedded in the mitochondrial membrane. The ribosomes can be bound to the mitochondria while manufacturing proteins that are inserted into membranes in the cell. I just fasted for Yom Kippur, so I wonder if any of the ribosomes in my cells hibernated due to the lack of nutrients my body received. What do you think of this new discovery and its potential application?



Archives

Powered by WordPress & Theme by Anders Norén

Skip to toolbar