Articles by Alejandra
Solving a 50-Year-Old Puzzle: AlphaFold 2 and Protein Folding
With the world watching on, DeepMind’s AlphaFold 2 outperformed every other team at the 2020 biennial protein-structure prediction challenge, also known as CASP 14. This was a significant step forward in the history of molecular biology and medicine, but it would have not been made possible by prior efforts that finally culminated in the creation of AlphaFold 2. Let’s take a look at the history of protein folding before delving into the significance of this milestone in the field of molecular biology and beyond. […]
How Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) Work
The rapid rise of technology in the last few decades has led to huge advancements in computational science, which in turn has benefit fields like bioinformatics greatly. Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) are a new and exciting area of bioinformatics, combining computing power with our rapidly growing knowledge of DNA to help us better understand our genetic code. In this article, we study the human genome as well as how GWAS works in identifying disease. […]
The Science Behind Sleeping
In modern society, there are many essential behaviors that are often overlooked. Due to the frenetic speed of our lives, we often pay little attention to the basic needs of our body such as eating, drinking, exercising or sleeping properly. We know that a good diet, along with exercise and ergonomics are important in maintaining a healthy body. While the science behind these daily practices is a key area of research, this article will touch on the importance of a good night’s sleep. […]
Virtual Molecular Worlds
Whether your interests lie in science, or you simply enjoy computer games, you must have come across this extremely popular piece of technology. Virtual Reality (or VR) is a computer-generated environment that completely immerses the user through specially built interfaces. While this may seem like a fun gaming gadget, there is more to VR than meets the eye. A team of researchers has created what they call a VR laboratory, forming a link between virtual reality and its potential for educational and even research functions. […]
How Drug Delivery Systems Are Transforming Neuromedicine
So you have discovered and synthesized a promising compound that could have significant therapeutic benefit, the next step would be to design a carrier that brings the drug to its proper location within the body. Not limited to just a simple drug transporter, such a carrier must also be able to help time its release, among other factors. We take a look at the wonderful world of drug delivery systems, and how they are at the forefront of neurology research. […]
