Features

Demystifying Medicine Explores the Origin of Life

Evolutionary Biologist and Cell Biologist Share Their Views

Four billion years ago, life arose on Earth from nonliving matter. About two billion years later, more complex and multicellular life forms began to emerge. Two scientists— evolutionary biologist Nick Lane and cellular biologist Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz—shared their theories on the origin of life.

First In-Person WALS in Two Years

Anna Huttenlocher Presents Research on Inflammation Resolution and Wound Repair

The Wednesday Afternoon Lecture Series (WALS) has been videocast-only since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic more than two years ago. But on April 6, 2022, NIH welcomed Anna Huttenlocher, from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, as the first in-person WALS presenter since March 4, 2020.

A Glycobiology Pioneer Uncovers the Secrets of Sugar

Profile: John A. Hanover, Ph.D.

NIDDK Senior Investigator John Hanover has dedicated nearly 40 years to research in glycoscience—the study of glycans, sugar molecules that cloak the surface of all cells and festoon many proteins, lipids, and other molecules. Glycans are inextricably linked to nearly every facet of cellular biology and implicated in conditions from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes.

Glycobiology Research at NIH

The term “glycobiology” indicates the blending of carbohydrate chemistry and biochemistry, with an understanding of glycans at the cellular and molecular level. Glycans, also known as saccharides and carbohydrates, are sugar molecules that cloak the surface of all cells and festoon many proteins, lipids, and other molecules. Glycans are inextricably linked to nearly every facet of cellular biology and implicated in conditions from cancer to neurodegenerative diseases and type 2 diabetes. NIH has a rich history of glycobiology research. Here are some of the early and current glycobiology investigators. This list is by no means comprehensive.

Restoring Body and Mind

How Bonnie Hodsdon is Expanding the Reach of Occupational Therapy Research

“Linda” couldn’t write her name, and Bonnie Hodsdon, an NIH occupational therapist, was trying to help her.

Unfolding the Mystery of Transformer-like Proteins

Lauren Porter’s Research on Fold-switching Proteins

“Fold-switching proteins are like Transformers, like Optimus Prime,” said Stadtman Tenure-Track Investigator Lauren Porter, referring to the hero of the science fiction franchise of shapeshifting humanlike robots. “Sometimes he’s a robot, and sometimes he turns into a car. He uses both of his structures and both of his functions to fight crime.” Similarly, the proteins she studies have multiple stable structures and functions.

Why Climate Change Is a Health Threat

NIH’s New Climate Change and Health Initiative Explores the Risks

The NIH Climate Change and Health Initiative launched a seminar series that invited speakers who are exploring the risks that climate change poses to human health.

COVID-19 Timeline at NIH (March-April 2022)

COVID-19 Research and Activities at NIH

Highlights of the COVID-19-related activities that were going on at NIH in March and April 2022.