This Date in UCSF History This Date in UCSF History: Genetic Releases Fuel Controversy [Originally published in Synapse on May 15, 1986.] During the past few months, revelations of illegal or improper releases of genetically altered organisms into the environment have alarmed the public and rocked the scientific community. May 14, 2024 SynapseCampus Science
Unraveling Metastasis, the Lethal Agent of Cancer November 4, 2015Maxwell CoyleCancer is not just one disease. Were it, we could imagine a single cure. Instead, we find that cancer is... Science
Biologically-Inspired Engineering October 23, 2015Hanna StarobinetsThe past few years have seen an increase in robotics inspired by the natural world. These robots are designed to... Science
mtDNA Recombination: O'Farrell Lab October 23, 2015Lauren ShieldsMitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell. These organelles support cellular functions through ATP production and have been implicated in... Science
This month in DNA repair: the elephant and the prize October 15, 2015Hanna StarobinetsIncreases in body size and lifespan should theoretically make an animal more prone to DNA replication errors that can produce... Science
The Parts of the Brain October 14, 2015Maxwell CoyleConsider brains and computers. How are they similar? Both can perform complex, rational tasks. Both take inputs and make decisions... Science
Tauopathies: A Neurodegenerative Disease October 7, 2015Lauren ShieldsTauopathies are a spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases defined by their cellular pathology. Their name refers to the protein tau which... Science
Up and Down: Mars and DNA October 2, 2015Hanna StarobinetsWater on Mars! And this time, it’s liquid! Salty water flows on Mars slopes – during “warm seasons” of above... Science
Evolution in Action September 30, 2015Maxwell CoyleIn 2015, evolution is considered an older discovery, and perhaps seems dusty to a generation piqued by CRISPR gene editing... Science
What Scientists Did This Summer September 25, 2015Hanna StarobinetsThe breast, or mammary gland, is a unique organ: it’s the only one that develops predominantly after birth – during... Science