The fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has been the preferred model system for the study of numerous biological processes for decades, if not centuries. These little beasts are amenable to genetic manipulation, are relatively easy to keep in captivity, and have all sorts of physical traits that make them useful to scientists. Even though I work with frogs, I spend at least half my time reading about flies.
Let’s Talk About (Fruit Fly) Sex
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Soul Science: Genetics and Tantra with Ingrid Borecki, PhD
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“Then according to the laws of the universe under Tantra, evil does not exist.”
This is a bold statement made by Rod Stryker during a ParaYoga teacher training back in 2009 or so. It was during my early days as a developing yogini, and this statement warmed my heart and soul, and made the world seem to be a safe place where anything is possible.
Soul Science: Where Biological and Complementary Research Meet
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I am a huge fan of scientists and of yogis.
I have spent the last 14 years absorbed in the world of life science. I’ve spent many hours talking w/ scientists about their experiments, their labs, and their lives. This helped me define a career focused on customer service, sales, market research, and finally social media. The best part of my job is when I get to spend time talking to scientists about their research and careers.
Summer Essentials: Panzanella Salad and Herb Scissors
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For those of us in the northern hemisphere, this weekend serves as the unofficial kick-off to summer. So pull the tarp off of the grill, dust off the cooler, and pour yourself a cold drink – it’s time to hit the outdoors. Of course, as the heat cranks up, we may opt to step away from the charcoal inferno in the Weber to eat something a bit more refreshing. So what better source for summer inspiration is there than the aptly named Barefoot Contessa.
Music in Lab: MyTunes, iTunes or NoTunes?
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Dear Dora,
We need a moderator in a debate that’s recently come to a head in lab: Should music be allowed in the lab?
-Anonymous
Jean Expression
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We all know that gene regulation is an important aspect for the function of the gene in a cell. Well, I am willing to argue that the regulation is equally important in the facilitation your own personal jean expression. How do you want to feel when you don your denim? Since you’re reading this article, then I suspect your answer is “confident and current.” It does not take a genius to incorporate these few jean inspired looks. Fortunately, you all ARE geniuses, so I am confident that you will remain current.
This is Not an Article About Running Viruses…
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…but when I saw the headline “scientists generate electricity from viruses” this is where my mind went:
Who’s Really Pursuing the Alternative Career in Science?
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These days it’s hard to escape the “alternative” label – alternative energy, alternative lifestyles, alternative medicine, alternative music, and of course, alternative careers. Prefacing a term with “alternative” implies those who find themselves in the “alternative” category have somehow strayed from the “normal” or “accepted” track. Nowhere is this stigma felt more than in science, where for decades researchers have been trained to pursue the “traditional” career path (aka, academics) or else risk finding themselves floating in the middle of the amorphous “alternative” pool (aka, all other careers). But does this perception accurately reflect today’s reality?
Cell Culture Derailing Your Vacation Plans?
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Dear Dora,
I maintain a line of particularly finicky cells as an integral part of my project. They need some kind of maintenance every 2-3 days, which isn’t a big deal other than the fact that finding vacation time is nearly impossible. I’m not sure I trust them to a lab mate and if I were to bleach them and go back to a frozen stock after the vacation, it would be about three weeks before I could start doing experiments again, which my boss makes me feel guilty about every time I bring it up. Any thoughts on how to get away?
Erin, graduate student
How is a Dormouse Like a Career Scientist?
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No it’s not predation by large owls, it’s strategic reproduction.
As anyone in academia knows, when to start a family is a really tricky decision. If you follow the traditional career path from college (4 years), to grad school (5-7 years), through a postdoc (3-6 years), perhaps another postdoc (3-6 years), into a tenure track position (5 years) which finally leads to a tenured faculty job (eternal) there really is no “good time” to pop out a baby or two.
