Author: naylorsa

Getting from A to B

Rebrafish retinal cells, optic nerves, and glia are labeled. Retinal cells send projections through the optic nerve to their targets in the brain.Dr Kara Cerveny & Dr Steve Wilson Wellcome Images
Visual System of 4 day old zebrafish
Dr Kara Cerveny & Dr Steve Wilson Wellcome Images

How do individual cells find their way in the complex environment of a human body or a small worm? Some cells need to navigate from where they are born to where they are needed (like immune cells). Other cells need to send out a very long extension to make a contact with a very specific target (like a neuron sending an axon through layers and layers of other neurons to reach its connection in a circuit). I used to study a very specific example (one motor neuron connecting to one specific muscle) of this type of navigation in the fruit fly. Continue reading “Getting from A to B”

Don’t stop believing, until you see it

microscopeIf you can’t see something, how do you know it is there? In my research, I rely on my ability to take pictures of neurons making connections with each other and other types of cells. What I know to be the truth about these connections, is based on only what I can see through the microscope. I was reminded just how little we can actually “see” by a recent paper in the journal Science.

This new paper used newer imaging technology called STORM (STochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy), which enhances imaging by only exciting and imaging a few individual fluorescent molecules at a time. This prevents groups of fluorescent molecules from distorting fine detail by forming a large bright fuzzy cloud. The Harvard scientists saw that a structural protein, Actin, actually forms rings around the axons of neurons.(!) Up until now, the organization of actin in the axons and dendrites has been a mystery. Continue reading “Don’t stop believing, until you see it”

HIV: Cancer Killer?

Photo by Samantha Celera
Photo by Samantha Celera

Recently, I saw an article referencing a young girl’s leukemia being fought by HIV viral transformation. The headline was surprisingly restrained, but the mere mention of HIV (a pathogen surrounded by fear and misinformation, like AIDS denial) risks leaving many readers thinking an HIV infection cured a young girl’s leukemia (not true!). So, I headed to the scientific literature to see if this flashy headline’s mention of HIV was really warranted. Continue reading “HIV: Cancer Killer?”

Take that obesity!

kids
Photo by Lori Yerdon, USAG-Humphreys

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation reported measurable declines in the rate of obesity in some of America’s children. In Philadelphia, New York City, California and Mississippi major efforts have been underway since the late 90’s to reduce the obesity rate among school-aged children. Children often consume the largest portion of their daily calories at school. Philadelphia and New York City took measures to connect farms with schools to provide fresh produce and created new nutritional standards for meals and beverages to be served. Mississippi and California improved nutrition standards state-wide and California has banned sugar sweetened beverages in high schools. Continue reading “Take that obesity!”

Freestyle PhD

Hip-Hop Summit / Live Rap Battle Recording
Santa Barbara, California

My freestyle rapping skills leave much to be desired. I tend to focus on rapping to my dog and never with an audience. Most of my lyrics rhyme with dog:

Hey little Bud-dog
why you sitting there like a log
why don’t you take a seat
then maybe I’ll give you a treat.

I’m guessing I would get creamed in a classic freestyle rap battle. Now I know why! Turns out my executive level functions are too robust and won’t allow my brain to free associate effectively. That’s the only thing that’s stopping me. 😉 Continue reading “Freestyle PhD”