In the 20th century, your average American feared nuclear armament more than anything else. Now, at the advent of the 21st century when all the countries have nukes, smaller even more lethal agents are beginning to come from the shadowy corners of science to wreak havoc once again– bio-terrorism. Chief among these biological weapons of mass destruction is the once eradicated virus of smallpox. Continue reading
What is CRISPR/CAS9?
CRISPR-Cas9 originates from bacteria as a mechanism to fight viral invaders from taking over. As a crucial part of the immune system, it is responsible for destroying the genome of any invaders by binding and cutting specific DNA sequences. This system provides acquired immunity for the bacterial cell but also has potential for genome editing in the future. Continue reading
What is the first thing you think of when you hear gene therapy? Some of the words that come to mind may be unnatural, suspicious, or even has potential. Gene therapy is a type of treatment used to treat or prevent diseases. While it is still under research to determine its effectiveness and potential hazards, this technology could be the answer to curing certain diseases. Continue reading