Our guest this week, Ada McVean, is pursuing a Master's of Chemistry at McGill University in the Damha Lab (alongside our good friend James Thorpe from Ep. 30!). Her current research is focused on creating small modified nucleic acid-based inhibitors (or SNuBs) of Cas9 using click chemistry, to interrupt the normal functioning of the CRISPR complex.
Questions Answered
Why might we want to prevent a CRISPR complex from editing our genes?
How do SNuBs interrupt a ribunucleic threesome?
If gene editing is a play, who are the characters and what sorts of hijinx do they get themselves into?
Can Turtles breathe out of their butts?
How do lava lamps produce their magically entrancing goopy light show?
Will wearing a hat speed up the balding process?
and many, many, many more!
Topics & Concepts
Biology vs Chemistry
CRISPR
SNuBs
Oligonucleotides (Oligos)
Fluorination
The Periodic Table
Electronegativity & Reactivity
CRISPR
Off-Target Effects
A CRISPR Antidote
Tracker & Guide RNAs
The PAM & NGGs
Rapid-Fire Fun-Facts
Cloacal Respiration?
Ejaculation & The Female Prostate?
Lava Lamp Luminescence?
Hats, Baldness & Follicular Miniaturization Syndrome?
The Truth About Leftovers?
Fundraiser Info
From March 8th - April 8th 2021, $0.40 will be donated to the Society for Canadian Women in Science and Technology (SCWIST: https://www.scwist.ca) every time an Abstract episode with a female guest gets a listen. $4,00 will be donated to the same cause for every new review of the podcast on Apple Podcasts!
Links to Ada's Articles
Cloacal Respiration
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/turtles-breathe-out-their-butt
Ejaculation & The Female Prostate
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-history/can-women-ejaculate-depends-who-you-ask
Lava Lamp Luminescence
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/luminescent-chemistry-lava-lamps
Hats, Baldness & Follicular Miniaturization Syndrome
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/health-general-science/will-wearing-hat-make-me-go-bald
The Truth About Leftovers
https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know-health/youre-probably-storing-leftovers-wrong-especially-if-you-eat-rice
Does free will exist? Regardless, please share your cherished feedback with me at abstractcast@gmail.com
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