Research In Review – Details, episodes & analysis

African Trypanosomiasis caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei affects thousands in endemic regions. T. brucei can linger in the bloodstream for lengthy periods of time due to its ability to change its glycoprotein coat regularly to hide from the immune system. This episode's guest studies the molecular mechanisms of how this sneaky parasite is able to hide in the immune system.

Paper available here: DNA double-strand break position leads to distinct gene expression changes and regulates VSG switching pathway choice - PMC (nih.gov)

In this episode how pathogenic bacteria are able to induce the hosts immune response through the modification of chromatin. We learn about the importance of chromatin in the cells as an epigenetic force and how this can create a unique immune response to invaders.

Keywords: Drug Discovery, Malaria, Drug Trials, Resistance

This Episode we discuss the development of a novel antimalarial DD1107498 at the Dundee Drug Discovery Unit (DDU). Professor Kevin Read and Myself discuss the paper which he co - lead that introduces the challenges of early drug discovery. 

The open access link to the paper is available here: A novel multiple-stage antimalarial agent that inhibits protein synthesis | Nature

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Keywords: Functional Diversification, Stem Cells,  Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation

Hey folks ! Welcome to the next episode of my podcast where we discuss the Serine - Arginine Rich Spicing Factor (SPRK) with Dr. Francisco Bustos from the MRC: PPU in Dundee. I hope this episode will help you feel confident to go and read the paper yourself as it is worth the read and the open access link to it is available here: https://www.cell.com/developmental-cell/fulltext/S1534-5807(20)30757-7?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1534580720307577%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

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Keywords: Immunology, Proteomics and Myc

Welcome to the Second episode of 'Research and Review' where we have the opportunity to discuss research papers with the scientists who wrote them. Today's episode we discuss the activation of T cell by Myc ( a transcription factor) with Dr. Julia Marchingo, an immunologist working at the University of Dundee.

The Full Access Link to this paper is: https://prod--journal.elifesciences.org/articles/53725v1

I has some recording issues this episode, however I am working on fixing these issues and looking forward to improving the quality of my podcasts for my audience. Enjoy. 

Keywords: Nature, Sustainability, Statistics, Survey and Education

Hey! This is the first episode of ‘Research in Review’ where we speak to a scientists about their research paper to better understand the theory and techniques behind it! This is the first episode and I did have some recording issues but I look forward to making it better each time.

The paper for today is ‘Nature a connection in Early Childhood : A quantitative Cross - Sectional Study’ (Barrable and Booth) 

 Available (Full Text) at: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/1/375/htm

You may have not heard of them yet, but Peroxisomes are a type of organelle in our cells which help up oxidise ultra long chain fatty acids. In this episode we discuss how a GTPase MIRO helps regulate the movement and division of these organelles. We also discuss the perils of being scooped in publishing.

Paper Available here: Peroxisomal fission is modulated by the mitochondrial Rho‐GTPases, Miro1 and Miro2 | EMBO reports (embopress.org)

In this episode we discuss the process of 'cell self eating' known as 'autophagy'. We talk to Dr. Alex Agrotis about his research in to a ubiquitin like pathway. 

In this Episode we talk to Dr. Kate Bishop, Group Leader of the Retroviral Replication Lab at the Francis Crick Institute. We chat about her paper looking out how the uncoating of HIV is dependant on a process called 'First Strand Transfer'. We discuss this process, along with the interdisciplinary approach of both this paper and the field of Virology as a whole. 

Paper Available: https://www.crick.ac.uk/research/publications/hiv-1-capsid-uncoating-initiates-after-the-first-strand-transfer-of-reverse-transcription

Welcome back to a new series of 'Research in Review'.

In this episode we discuss how intracellular bacteria can get trapped in jail cells called 'septin cages'. We talk about the importance of microscopy in visualising results and the importance of different perspectives in the lab.

 Link: Entrapment of intracytosolic bacteria by septin cage-like structures - PubMed (nih.gov)