According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, One Health is “an approach that recognizes that the health of people is closely connected to the health of animals and our shared environment.” One example is in the study of antibacterial resistance in waterways and how bacteria in wastewater that is resistant to traditional methods of antibacterial processes can be seen across the environment and beyond – to river wildlife, and those who consume it. 

How a One Health Approach is Incorporated by Ecologists

Check out a recent John Carroll University infographic that highlights the career of conservation scientists and biologists. They incorporate the One Health approach all of the time in their work to better understand how organisms respond to their environments and how they can best adapt, grow, and thrive in the future, despite extreme changes surrounding them. 

Conservation scientists often work with and for government agencies, for example, in researching for and developing environmental impact statements (EIS) that Federal agencies are required by law to prepare if a proposed major federal action is determined to significantly affect the quality of the environment. 

For example, in one recent EIS submitted by the Department of Energy, related to an energy expansion project across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, the agency analyzed and assesses the environmental risks of its proposed project, including the risks of endangered species, clean air and water, surface run-off, and potential impacts on human health. The EIS must also outline procedures for ensuring protections and safeguards are put in place around minimizing these risks before beginning their project.  

Inspired Futures in Biology

John Carroll University’s Bachelors of Science in Biology includes the option for broad study in evolutionary biology, ecology and diversity. You’ll explore interconnected ecological systems and their connection to people through hands-on lab and field work (including international opportunities!), and build on research that could impact generations of people, plants, and animals. For example, in the JCU course BL419 Conservation Biology, you’ll study recent understandings of climate change and predictions for combatting its effects with a multi-faceted, interconnected approach.  

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

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The post Biology Career Opportunities: Making a Difference in a Changing World first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Advancements in Molecular Biology and Understanding Brain Mechanisms

A study, which appeared in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), describes the discovery of molecular insights into how toxic proteins are regulated in brain diseases. It is part of breakthrough studies that inform new avenues for treating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

The information offered by the PNAS study, as well as research into the molecular mechanism that is essential for long-term memory storage, leads to greater understanding of what goes wrong in certain brain diseases. 

For starters, maintaining a healthy brain as we age requires the careful regulation of cellular protein synthesis, folding, and degradation systems. Neurodegenerative diseases disrupt this maintenance—clumped fragments of misfolded proteins spread to neighboring cells. Many neurodegenerative diseases are caused by the brain’s inability to cleanse itself of toxic buildup.

The details of how toxic proteins contribute to neurodegenerative diseases may uncover potential avenues for treatment. Furthermore, research is leading to:

• Explanations for how some brain diseases begin, spread, and worsen.
• New methods for treating brain disorders by reducing protein misfolding.

Neurological Disorders and Brain Health

Maintaining a healthy brain is critical to overall health and longevity. Therefore, it is important for biologists to understand brain health, the effect of neurological disorders on the brain, and how brain diseases can be treated and prevented.

Many neurological disorders disrupt brain function and health. These disorders are categorized into three main groups, according to an analysis on brain health:

• Brain diseases from damage to brain structures—traumatic brain injury, brain tumors, meningitis, and communication and sensory disorders.
• Functional brain disorders that have destroyed brain connections including neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, dementia) and mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder).
• Brain disorders without detectable structural or functional impairment (e.g., migraine headaches, sleep disorders).

According to many in the medical and science fields, the mechanisms behind brain dysfunction in some neurological disorders are not well understood. They acknowledge the need for a better understanding of the mechanisms of brain function. 

New findings into brain mechanisms are opening doors for further research into disease prevention and treatment. However, scientists are also being asked to take a more comprehensive approach to research that considers age, culture, geography, and other patient-centered assessments. This multidimensional approach could have practical and positive effects on the care of brain disorders.

Help Pave the Way for New Biological Insights

By examining life at the cellular and molecular level, experts are able to guide research that helps people live healthier lives. John Carroll University offers a Bachelors of Science in Cell & Molecular Biology that can prepare you for impactful work in the biology field. This biology degree program may lead to a career in medicine, biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmacy, health care, teaching, or other professions that need a strong foundation in cellular and molecular processes.

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Molecular Mechanisms In Neurodegenerative Diseases first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Biology, like most STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields, continues to lack the diversity of the larger U.S. population. In life sciences, which includes biology, a persistent racial gap exists in both employment and students pursuing degrees in the field.

According to data from the Pew Research Center, the workforce in the life sciences is 65 percent white, while Blacks, who make up 11 percent of all employed adults, account for just 6 percent of life sciences jobs. The number for Hispanics, who hold just 8 percent of all life sciences jobs, is similarly low.  

Increasing Racial Diversity Starts in Higher Ed

In the higher education ranks, according to the same data, a similar problem exists. Black students earned just 7 percent of STEM bachelor’s degrees and Hispanics earned 12 percent of those degrees. A 2019 study shows an even more troubling statistic: 40 percent of Black students switch out of STEM majors, compared with just 29 percent of white students.

This racial gap matters, especially as the growth in STEM jobs is expected to outpace that of other jobs in coming years, and salaries in these fields also are higher than in other professions. What’s more, this gap also means that people of color have fewer opportunities to help shape the advancement of scientific research and innovation, including in biology. 

What Can Be Done to Shrink the Racial Gap in the Field of Biology? 

A combination of efforts has proven effective in attracting more people of color to biology and other STEM fields, including outreach efforts, tutoring and peer mentoring, and initiatives at colleges and universities that include summer programs for high school students and research internships. 

Professors and instructors can also help promote student achievement. According to a study, the racial achievement gap is cut nearly in half when STEM professors promote a growth mindset belief. Then there are the efforts of individuals to close the racial gap in STEM fields.

Progress has been made to attract more students of color to major in biology and other STEM fields, and to keep them in these majors until they successfully earn degrees and enter professions within life sciences. But more work is needed—along with more students of color willing to pursue these challenging and rewarding careers.

Inspired Futures in Biology

Start on the path to a career in the life sciences with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from John Carroll University. The program offers broad study across three core areas: cellular and molecular biology, organismal biology, and evolutionary biology, ecology, and diversity. 

The program also prepares graduates for careers that require a strong background in biology and chemistry, including medicine, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, physician’s assistant, public health, and veterinary medicine. In addition, this major prepares students for graduate programs and research positions in biology and related disciplines such as physiology, neuroscience, evolutionary biology.

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post The Need for Increasing Racial Diversity in Biology first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Biomedical Researcher

Medical scientists or biomedical researchers conduct research in laboratories and offices focused on improving our understanding of human health. Many biomedical researchers have PhDs, but not all. Many work for clinics and hospital systems, as well as universities or other non-profit organizations conducting research. Another career working with biomedical researchers that requires a bachelor’s degree as an entry-level is biological technician. The BLS lists their median pay at $48,140 per year, and they can get tons of hands-on experience in the lab if you aren’t sure about pursuing a PhD. If you do choose to pursue an advanced degree, medical scientists with advanced degrees had a 2021 median pay at $95,310.

Right in John Carroll’s backyard, the Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit, hospital and medical research facility where undergraduate students conduct original research alongside biomedical researchers in various fields through John Carroll’s Celebration of Scholarship program. If you’re a biology student thinking about the research route for a career in healthcare, this is a perfect opportunity to see if it is something that interests you. 

Genetic Counselor

Genetic counselors have an advanced understanding of the tiny variations in sections of DNA called genes that reveal more and more about increased risks of certain health conditions. Genetic counselors work to help guide and support patients seeking more information about how inherited diseases and conditions might affect them or their families, to interpret genetic test results based on personal and family history, and to help make proactive decisions with this knowledge in mind.  Becoming a genetic counselor typically involves earning at least a master’s degree that, according to the National Society of Genetic Counselors, includes clinical experience in various genetic specialties, coursework in human genetics, psychology, bioethics, research methodology, as well as potential certification requirements. 

John Carroll biology students thinking about genetic counseling can take courses that prepare them right away, including BL 213 Genetics, where you study the principles of molecular, transmission, quantitative, and population genetics as well as the various social and ethical implications of genetics. 

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses provide care to patients in various healthcare settings, whether that’s in a hospital, an outpatient facility, or long-term care or assisted-living facilities. Nurses are often the first and last people that a patient sees and looks to for treatment, often on their hardest days. Being a nurse is a rewarding profession and requires an understanding of often very complex and broad healthcare issues.

The minimum degree required to become a nurse is an associate’s, however, if you have bachelor’s in biology, you can add on an RN program, like the JCU BSN, or do a second-degree bachelor’s of science in nursing. The median salary is $77,600 per year.

Pharmacist

Pharmacists work to allocate, understand, and dispense prescriptions. Most pharmacists work in pharmacies, providing drugs and treatment to the general public, however many also work for hospitals, insurance companies, and other healthcare providers to provide advisory roles regarding treatment options. 

Pharmacists must earn a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.), typically a 4-year professional degree. They must also be licensed, which requires passing two exams. The 2021 median pay for pharmacists was $128,570 per year. 

Other healthcare careers for biology graduates include: careers in biotechnology or medical devices; hospital administrators; biochemistry; healthcare content writing; microbiologist; management; and more.

Your Future Begins at John Carroll University

John Carroll University bachelor’s of science in biology students prepare for diverse careers across healthcare beyond medical school. While the curriculum matches many requirements for applying to medical school, it’s also a curriculum that builds a crucial understanding in genetics, human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence in the field as a whole. 

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Non-Medical Degree Careers for Biology Graduates first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

In a recent blog, we defined Artificial Intelligence (or AI) using IBM’s definition: AI “combines computer science and robust datasets, to enable problem-solving.” When talking about the application of AI in the context of molecular biology, that means utilizing computer science to solve problems related to genes, proteins, and other biological molecules.  Artificial Intelligence systems are taking over nearly every industry, and molecular biologists are no exception. The consequences could save the lives of important plants and animals, and ultimately the planet. 

“Deep Learning” Application in Molecular Biology

One increasingly popular type of AI is called “deep learning,” in which algorithms find features and connections from large sets of data, such as genomes or proteins, and create predictive tools based on patterns. 

According to the journal Nature, “in biology, deep-learning algorithms dive into data in ways that humans can’t, detecting features that might otherwise be impossible to catch.” For example, researchers can advance drug discovery by making genomic connections to electronic medical records, combining features such as DNA staining, organelle texture, and even the quality of empty spaces in a cell. 

Another application is in the ability to predict and treat disease with greater volume, efficiency, and speed. Research has shown that some AI tools can more quickly integrate predictive methods with the growing knowledge of genetic diseases, enabling substantial automation of diagnoses, which decreases costs and speeds up diagnostics. 

One major and recent breakthrough involves the creation of an algorithm that can predict how protein structures will develop based on thousands of already known proteins and their structures. 

Ethics & Education of AI in Molecular Biology

One cannot discuss machine learning and artificial intelligence without recognizing the crucial ethical implications at play. Issues such as proper sourcing for DNA information and other biological data, as well as whether or not to make much of this information learned publicly available and accessible. Many industry leaders have brought bioethicists together to keep purpose and ethical decision-making at the forefront when discussing AI and seek to create clear ethical principles for these emerging technologies. 

Inspired Futures in AI & Biology

John Carroll University bachelor’s cell and molecular biology students discover the growing role of artificial intelligence in molecular biology and other life science fields through their course and lab work, gaining hands-on experience with growing technologies on a regular basis. Starting with courses in molecular biology to build a strong foundation in the principles of molecular biology, and then applying technology, data analysis, and other techniques to these functions in courses like BL 215 Biotechnology to develop DNA analysis skills such as restriction digests, DNA cloning, plasmid and genomic DNA isolation, polymerase chain reaction, and computer analysis of DNA and protein sequences.

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post How Scientists are Using AI Deep Learning in Molecular Biology? first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

The Difference between Somatic and Germline in Human Genome Editing/Engineering

One of the first concepts you will learn on the topic of human gene engineering and editing is the distinction between somatic and germline gene editing. Somatic gene modification consists of altering somatic cells, which are all cells in the body that are not involved in reproduction. Therefore, the approved therapies cannot be passed on to the next generation. Germline editing affects all cells in an organism, including eggs and sperm, making the change heritable. 

As the science and clinical applications of genetic engineering continue to advance, so too will the societal debate about how and whether to use these new technologies. As a Jesuit, liberal arts institution, John Carroll University encourages students and alumni working in these areas to balance potential benefits genome editing with unintended risks. In that spirit, we offer resources from the world’s leading voices in this debate.

Human Genome Editing: Science, Ethics, and Governance

This 2017 report proposes criteria for heritable germline editing, provides conclusions on the crucial need for public education and engagement, and presents seven general principles for the governance of human genome editing. The report is a joint release from the National Academy of Sciences; National Academy of Medicine; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and the Committee on Human Gene Editing.

Heritable Human Genome Editing

Compiled by an international commission of the U.S. National Academy of Medicine, U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and the U.K.’s Royal Society, the report considers potential benefits, harms, and uncertainties associated with genome editing technologies and defines a translational pathway from rigorous preclinical research to initial clinical uses, should a country decide to permit such uses. 

Genome editing and the germline: A conversation

Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, The Broad Institute gathers top genomic researchers from MIT, Harvard, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals.  This video features institute members Feng Zhang and David Liu, institute member and clinical geneticist Heidi Rehm, and policy advisor Bina Vekarataman about the ethical issues raise by germline editing.

Playing God? Scientific Perspective with Prof. Dr. Robin Lovell-Badge

This 2018 video features insights and commentary from Dr. Robin Lovell-Badge, Group Leader at The Francis Crick Institute London, UK. Lovell-Badge guides a conversation on under what conditions can and should gene-editing be allowed, morally as well as legally.

WHO expert advisory committee report.

This World Health Organization (WHO) report comes from a global, multidisciplinary expert panel gathered in Geneva, Switzerland (2019) to examine the scientific, ethical, social, and legal challenges associated with human genome editing (both somatic and germline). The Committee includes members from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, North America, and South America.

Your Future in Biology

As a Jesuit institution that offers undergraduate degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and other hard sciences, as well as applied health and direct care programs in Exercise Science and Nursing, John Carroll maintains a strong focus on the ethical considerations of genetic and related rehabilitative approaches to medicine. Students interested in this work and balancing the ethical implications of it can explore our Biology degree in more detail.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post The Ethics of Human Genome Editing: An Ethical Path to Future Medicine first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Genetic data research can reveal a person’s risk of developing certain types of cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as several other diseases and conditions. In addition to improving diagnosis of conditions, gene sequencing is also used to determine what treatments might be effective.

The Value of Genomic and DNA Sequencing

Genomics is a branch of genetics that studies organisms in terms of their genomes, or full DNA sequences. The human genome is the huge collection of genes inside each and every one of a person’s cells.  

Genomic sequencing is used to decipher the genetic material found in an organism or virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sequences from specimens can be compared to help scientists track the spread of a virus, how it is changing, and how those changes may affect public health. The power of gene sequencing was witnessed as scientists monitored COVID-19 in real time. They had insight into attributes and the path of the virus, enabling them to develop a vaccine quickly.

In addition to screening for the risk of diseases, DNA sequencing has applications in gene therapy-based treatments and genetic engineering. For these applications, scientists start by discovering specific gene variants and the effect they have on people’s health. Some might predispose them to certain conditions. Analyzing the genetic code, or genome, gives them the power to fight diseases.

How Genomic Sequencing Works

The Mayo Clinic offers details about the process of gene sequencing in the lab:

• Technicians extract DNA and prepare it for sequencing.
• To read the sequence of the chemical letters called bases in DNA, samples are inserted into a sequencing instrument where high-frequency soundwaves break the DNA into smaller pieces.
• Special tags are added to the ends of the fragmented DNA and these tagged strands of DNA can then attach to a glass slide.
• In a sequencer, each piece of DNA is copied hundreds of thousands of times, which creates clusters of identical DNA fragments.
• Next, the sequencer reads the DNA one base at a time using different colored tags for each DNA base. Special sensors within the machine detect the different colored tags. This sequence of colors reveals the DNA sequence of each fragment.
• Computers piece together individual DNA fragments and reveal the sequence of DNA. Medical experts can then use specialized software to analyze and compare the DNA sequences to identify the handful of variants that may be important for medical care.

Improving Personalized Care

Genomics is transformative and offers continued hope for health care. For example, certain gene variants confer a high risk of developing breast, ovarian, or bowel cancer. By having detailed insights into how an individual’s cancer might progress and the likely response to treatment, doctors can perform medical interventions that detect cancer early.

Gene sequencing helps indicate what treatments are most effective for conditions and diseases. It informs clinical decision-making by creating personalized treatment plans rather than a one-size-fits-all treatment approach.

Ready for the Exciting Future of Healthcare and Biotechnology?

You can help develop innovations and improvements in biology and health care. Start with a BS in Biology degree from John Carroll University. We offer education in biology and its related fields. For example, our Cell and Molecular Biology major emphasizes genetics, biochemistry, cell biology, and mathematics. Graduates are prepared for careers in medicine, biomedical research, biotechnology, pharmacy, healthcare, or teaching.

JCU is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post How DNA Sequencing is Used to Fight Disease first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Solving The Protein “Folding Problem.”

Today, biology researchers continue to try  to better understand three aspects of these protein folding patterns:

1. The folding code: the thermodynamic question of what balance of interatomic forces (say the interaction of nitrogen and hydrogen atoms) dictates the structure of the protein, for a given amino acid sequence. 
2. Protein structure prediction: the computational problem of how to predict a protein’s native structure from its amino acid sequence. Raw computing power and smart algorithms allow scientists to predict the structure of a protein by inputting the amino acid sequence into a computer. The advanced technology and modeling software allow scientists and researchers to form a predicted structure. Science continues to discover new genes and proteins, which means that other scientists race to predict structures. 
3. The folding process: the kinetics question of what routes or pathways some proteins use to fold and at what speeds. Recent kinetics experiments show that the rate of folding varies across different phases of the process. The amount of folded functional protein in a cell depends on several factors such as, rate of protein biosynthesis and degradation.

Underlying all of these ongoing areas of research is the question of the inherent stability of an individual protein segment. 

As a future biology researcher or bioinformatician, you will advance this science and learn even more about what is generally called the “folding problem” — the limits of humankind’s ability to understand how a cell’s life relies on the ability of its constituent proteins to fold into 3D structures that are crucial for their function. 

Your Future in Biology

John Carroll University biology majors move into careers in health science, environmental science, and a range of other life science fields. Concentrations in cell and molecular biology and environmental science prepares you for graduate programs and research positions in biology and related disciplines such as physiology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Bioinformatics Research and the Shape of Proteins first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.

Think cellular origami

A protein consists of one or more long, folded chains of amino acids (each called a polypeptide), whose sequences are determined by the DNA sequence of the protein-encoding gene.

Sometime around 1960, biologists got their first atomic-resolution look at protein structures within human cells and realized that each presents distinct folding patterns. These folds, how they cluster into different “families” and the clues they give about biological change have captured the attention of researchers ever since.

What is Bioinformatics?

Bioinformatics uses computer technology to collect, store, analyze and disseminate biological data and information, such as DNA and amino acid sequences or annotations about those sequences. Scientists and clinicians use databases that organize and index such biological information to increase our understanding of health and disease and, in certain cases, as part of medical care.

If you have some interest and aptitude in math, computer science, and biology, you might consider pursuing bioinformatics as a graduate degree and a career.

Cellular Linguistics 

Just as linguistics studies patterns in language,  bioinformatics looks for patterns within sequences of DNA or protein. By comparing genes and other sequences in proteins, scientists learn about how these proteins influence every living function.

Over time, science came to understand that all proteins fold into stable three‐dimensional shapes, or conformations, that are determined by their amino acid sequence. They also discovered that the fold of a protein offers clues about its function.

Underlying all of these ongoing areas of research is the question of the inherent stability of an individual protein segment. As a future biology researcher or bioinformatician, you will advance this science and learn even more about what is generally called the “folding problem” — the limits of humankind’s ability to understand how a cell’s life relies on the ability of its constituent proteins to fold into 3D structures that are crucial for their function. 

Your Future in Biology

John Carroll University biology majors move into careers in health science, environmental science, and a range of other life science fields. Concentrations in cell and molecular biology and environmental science prepares you for graduate programs and research positions in biology and related disciplines such as physiology, neuroscience, and evolutionary biology.

John Carroll is a private Jesuit university located in University Heights, Ohio, near Cleveland.

The post Why Proteins Matter for All Biology and Bioinformatics Students first appeared on Just Imagination Blog.