#b4272

You may or may not have heard of prions. Understandably so, as little is known about the neurodegenerative disease-causing proteins, despite 30 years of research. While we know that prions are responsible for mad cow disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease, we do not know how to treat prion-related diseases. Prion diseases begin with a cellular prion protein (PrPC) which becomes a scrapie associated prion protein (PrPSc). While the PrPC takes on the shape of a normal protein, the PrPSc is an abnormal protein because it becomes misfolded through a process called conversion (see Figure 1 below). The misfolded form of a protein will infect other proteins around them, eventually leaving the brain full of holes. The victim is left with memory impairment, personality changes, movement difficulty, and eventually, death. The solution to any disease is treatment though, and that is where the field of prion diseases is heading.

Figure 1 - Prion Development

Despite researcher's best efforts, there are no medical drugs or therapies to treat prion diseases. The lack of treatment for prion diseases is due to challenges faced when developing a therapy for prion diseases. One challenge is how to get antibodies to cross the blood brain barrier, which prevents substances from entering the brain. Another challenge is selecting the right choice of drug and antibodies to elicit a correct and effective response to the prion proteins. The prevalence of prion diseases is also a challenge. Since they are not extremely prevalent, it can be difficult to test new treatments and set up clinical trials. Much of the research in this field has been conducted on individuals with Alzheimer's disease because it is more prevalent. Many effective treatments for other diseases, such as small molecules, vaccination, antibodies, peptide aptamers, and nucleic acid-based agents, have been tried and have failed to treat prion diseases. Despite this, there is still hope for new advancements in the field.

Immunotherapy is arguably the most promising treatment solution. Prions cannot be destroyed by our immune system unaided. Since prion proteins are composed of a portion of normal proteins, the prion proteins do not activate an immune response. Prions also do not activate B cells, which are immune response cells that play a crucial role in an immune response. However, if an immune response could be triggered, the prion proteins could be destroyed. Immunotherapy does this by activating an immune response as a treatment. This tactic has been used for other diseases, such as cancer, and has promising outcomes. Immunotherapy is very effective in identifying diseased areas of the body with relatively few side effects. In the context of prion diseases, monoclonal antibodies are being used to target the misfolded portion of the prion protein.

Immunotherapy can target prion diseases for two reasons. One reason is that the shape of the misfolded prion proteins is a well-known disease-causing agent. This makes the misfolded protein easily identifiable by therapeutic agents, which are drugs that aim to have curative or preventative properties targeted towards a disease, because the therapeutic agents can target the disease-causing agent. The second reason is that the misfolding of a protein occurs on the cell's surface. Since the protein is found on the cell surface and not within the cell, this makes the protein easily accessible to therapeutic agents. Active immunization and passive immunization are two types of immunotherapies that could be used for prion diseases.

Active immunization is when the immune system produces antibodies for a disease. It is seen as the most practical approach for animal prion diseases. This type of immunization can take days or weeks to develop, but the effects are longer-lasting. Previous research has shown that active immunization is not as safe as passive immunization because it can cause an inflammatory response in the brain. One study used an AN1792 vaccine on mice with Alzheimer's disease to eliminate the misfolding proteins in the brain but had to be stopped due to negative side effects, such as meningo encephalitis and vasogenic edema, which are infections of the brain. After the clinical trial, though, the mice treated with a vaccine showed a reduction in the abnormal proteins. Active immunization is also tricky because the immune system does not recognize the abnormal protein as foreign. Therefore, no immune response is activated. Current research uses drugs to stimulate immune cells, hoping to induce a response.

Passive immunization is giving antibodies to a person for a disease instead of the antibodies being produced by the person immune system. Unlike active immunization, passive immunization develops immediately, but the effects may only last a few weeks or months. The effects only last a short time because the body does not develop memory for what you are immunized against. Therefore, there is a risk of being reinfected by the same pathogen. It is the most practical approach for human prion diseases, but most of the research currently utilizes animal models. One study used antibodies to target different forms of abnormal proteins in Alzheimer's disease but found negative results. Although the experiment failed, the research still contributed to future methods of prion disease clinical trials. For example, it provided insight into future treatments that may be more effective.

Much of the research talked about has ultimately failed in clinical trials for one reason or another. Without these failures, progress towards a treatment could not be made. Research into immunotherapies for prion diseases are ongoing, as an effective treatment solution has not been found. While much of the research done so far has utilized Alzheimer's disease, the similarities to other prion-related diseases will also benefit from this research. All work in neurodegenerative diseases will advance the therapeutic strategies of prions diseases. Many of the challenges faced will be resolved with advancements in technology and new methods for delivering antibodies to the brain. Until then, science will move forward until an effective treatment for prion diseases has been discovered.

If you are interested in learning more about the treatment of prion diseases, I have conveniently linked some awesome websites below!

https://www.mindsunderground.com/muarticles/prions-disease

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/prions-are-fascinating-terrifying-and-still-mysterious-180965125/

Hello Fellow Bloggers!

You are probably wondering why or how you have landed here, but it’s really a No-Brainer. I am Alaina M, a fourth-year science student working towards a major in psychology, a minor in Biology, and a certificate in Applied Behavioural Analysis.

Throughout my degree, I have also had the chance to work in a experimental psychology research lab that focused on cognitive psychology, more specifically language development and reading processes. During this experience, I was able to be a part of the early stages of a new research project. A unique experience I had during my time in the lab was that I received training on how to complete an Electroencephalography (EEG), and had the chance to record brain waves of individuals. After my BSc I hope to pursue an MSc in Science Communications and Disorders and become a Speech-Language Pathologist. Outside of academics, I enjoy reading, baking and going on family vacations (of course before Covid ruined that).

That’s enough about myself, now for the real reason you are here, Science talk. Throughout my time of studying science I have covered a large variety of courses from basic Biology and Chemistry, Biochemistry, Genetics, Immunobiology and Biological Psychology. Through all these courses topics surrounding the brain, diseases, and antibodies have sparked my interest. That is why I have chosen to talk about a disorder that largely effects the brain.  It amazes me how our brains can be so powerful, but also sometimes be our biggest enemy. Throughout this blog, I will be communicating the good, the bad and the ugly about Alzheimer’s disease. A disease that affects 1 in 9 people age 65 and over. A disease with no concrete cause and no cure. Alzheimer’s is a brain disorder, in which the brain slowly destroys its memory and thinking skills, more specifically neurons are injured and die throughout the brain making the communication connections impossible.

Have I lost you yet? I hope not, I understand that research papers can be filled with ridiculous jargon that only the authors understand. This blog intends to communicate scientific research at a new level,  allowing individuals of different backgrounds to understand the message, themes, facts, and research advancement surrounding Alzheimer’s disease.

Can’t wait to catch you next time where we will dive deeper into the brain of Alzheimer’s disease!

--

Alaina M.

Under the Species at Risk Act, the inner Bay of Fundy (iBoF) population of Atlantic Salmon were categorized as endangered in 2001. Over the past 20 years since this announcement, New Brunswick is continuing to take drastic steps to avoid the total extinction of this fish, which is ecologically, economically, and culturally of high importance in Atlantic Canada.

I’ve chosen to share a link to a video produced by the Fundy Salmon Recovery Project which highlights the significance of the iBoF Atlantic Salmon population, and the countless interventions being done in New Brunswick with the help of several partnerships and collaborations in our area. Despite being such a large movement in our province which is the first of this kind, I believe it is still highly unrecognized in our communities.

Although original conservation initiatives showed little progress, there has been a steady increase in the amount of spawning salmon returning to our rivers since the implementation of the Fundy Salmon Recovery Project. Having a first-hand opportunity to participate in the collection, care, and release of this species, I believe human intervention is our last chance to the save the small population that remains, and I am hopeful that one day they will become prosperous and flourishing in future years. I hope this video helps to share the initiatives being done in our area but also provide a basis to future, more depth topics I will cover on the threats and mediations to save our Atlantic Salmon.

I’m Julia, and I’m a fourth-year bio student at a Canadian university interested in environmental activism, conservation, and climate change. I started this blog as part of a requirement for a course I’m taking in science communication, which explores techniques and exercises in effectively communicating and synthesizing complex current scientific research, particularly with respect to climate change. I’m so excited to share and report on the many impactful studies and papers about our changing climate that have impacted me recently, not to mention those I have yet to discover! 

We know that scientific journals (and the newly published and rigorously peer-reviewed research within them) are already notoriously inaccessible - if access isn’t granted through your university or institution, you’re looking at an annual subscription of $200 for some of the major heavy-hitters like Nature and Science. When new research eventually trickles into the mainstream, it is usually because a media outlet has opened the floodgates in a usually careless attempt to assuage the general public’s thirst, serving only to further cement already polarized opinions. 

An area of colossal contemporary interest (and unrest) that has not been communicated effectively to the general public is, of course, climate change, and the sordid back and forth between the public, lawmakers, congressmen/women, and even celebrities is not at all helpful, providing the perfect conditions for really harmful rhetoric to thrive. My goal in creating this blog is to try and learn what motivates productive dialogue between academics and the general public through the use of clear and accessible language that clarifies impenetrable and often intimidating science-talk. It’ll probably be like riding a bike, right? 

Thanks so much for reading!! I look forward to engaging with all of you about some really interesting (albeit sometimes terrifying) research :) 

Hi everyone!!

My name is Maddie and I am in my fourth year of a bio-math/stat degree. I grew up in Fredericton and I love living here, I never seem to get tired of our amazing trail system or weekly farmers market visits. I am pretty high energy and love to be active, especially by going out for a run or doing a hot yoga class. Another one of my favorite pastimes is experimenting with new recipes. One of my recent commitments this year was to buy less plastic, particularly while grocery shopping and I’ve been having a lot of fun trying to recreate some of my favourite packaged snacks in my kitchen. 

While I understand climate change is a complex, multi-faceted issue that will require action on a much larger scale, I do feel as though consumer behaviour can highly influence corporations to make positive and necessary changes. Holding ourselves and our community accountable from a respectful and educated place is a powerful step forwards. 

What drew me to this course was the idea of being able to sharpen my communication skills so that I can increase the accessibility of current research in the scientific community to the general public. I want to be able to critically digest the large volume of questionable, not-so-scientific articles swarming the internet, particularly regarding climate change.

I can’t wait to read everyone’s blogs!! :-)

Hello everyone!

My name is Jackson Weir and I am a second-year student at the University of New Brunswick with an unequivocal passion for science and discovery. Studying an Honours in Biology with a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology, I am determined to contribute to humanity’s scientific body of knowledge and communicate that science to the public.

My drive to ignite the power of curiosity in others culminates in my roles with TEDxUNB, the Atlantic Student Research Journal, the Canada Wide Science Fair, and as an Educational Proctor. There is no greater feeling than watching someone’s eyes light up when they learn something, they didn’t know they didn’t know.

When I am not on studying on the 4th floor of the library, listening attentively in the classroom, or fighting the Western blot gods in the lab, I never miss an opportunity to go salmon fishing, experience new cultures, or play sports.

In the realm of science, there is no question molecular biology is where my interest and expertise lie. BUT I am also never one to turn down a challenge. So, for this blog, I chose to step outside of my comfort zone and go face-to-face with one of the biggest scientific matters of my generation – CLIMATE CHANGE.

After deciding on this topic, I began to ask myself why I believe what I believe. Like most undergraduate biology students living where we do, I never doubted the fact that climate change was real. I simply thought anyone who claimed otherwise was misinformed, and frankly, crazy.

However, I am starting to realize my appreciation for the consensus from scientists that climate change is real and most likely a result of human behaviour is hardly a product of my own research, critical thinking, or lack of “craziness.” Instead, it is more a consequence of my upbringing, experiences and sources of information.

Two weeks ago I could have told you global temperatures are on the rise, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and we are approaching a point of no return for our planet as we know it. The problem was, I could barely explain WHY these things are true and HOW we know what we know. My understanding was shallow. In some ways, I felt less informed than those who claim climate change is fake. At least they can say it confidently.

For these reasons, I am committing to be three things in this blog:

Curious about the science, sources and reasoning supporting all I read.

Skeptical of ideas presented by BOTH sides of the argument.

Scientifically accurate in all climate change claims that I make.

If you feel lost in our age of disinformation, heightened emotions, and fake news, join me on my journey over the next several months to question everything and bring order to at least some of this climate change chaos.

Who can you trust? Have you put any thought into this question? Perhaps you trust your family members or your friends, but what about people you don’t know? How can you differentiate between information is trustworthy and information that is completely made up for some ulterior motive? How can you possibly decide what information is reliable and from what sources you should obtain your knowledge?

Hi there! You might be wondering what this blog is all about and why I have posed you with so many ominous questions. We’ll get to that, but for starters, let me introduce myself. My name is Shane MacLaren and I am in my fourth year of the Biochemistry honours program at the University of New Brunswick. I am especially passionate about the environment, organic chemistry, and human rights! Some of my personal hobbies include playing video games and board games, makeup and fashion, reading, and being outside in nature. If you are looking for me, I can most certainly be found mulling about in the chemistry building participating in deep philosophical discussions with my colleagues in the office, having a laugh with my peers, or working away in the chemistry lab on my latest reaction!

By now you may be on the edge of your seat questioning everyone you have ever trusted. As a science advocate, being inquisitive and thinking about these things is a very important practice. There is never a good reason to blindly trust anything anyone says without the proper analysis and evidence. This is a very widespread theme across the topic this blog focuses on, which is climate change. Climate change is a well-studied issue yet continues to be scrutinized by a large group of people, in particular, “climate-deniers”. The main goal of this blog will be to explore the thought-process behind these beliefs and to gain context for why these anti-science campaigns have become such a popular trend in the last few years.

Let us take an in-depth look into these issues and come to our own conclusions about the reliability and consistency of the scientific method. Thank you for your time.

Hello world!

My name is Kaitlyn and I am a third-year student, studying biology and psychology. I was born in Charlotte County, raised in Quispamsis, and I study in Fredericton. My parents taught me from a young age to appreciate our beautiful province, while also providing me with opportunities to travel and see what else our planet has to offer. My Dad is an engineer who has taught me that every problem has a solution, and my Mom is a teacher who stresses that one should never stop learning. These two, along with many wonderful teachers along the way, are the reason why I am following my passion as a science student at UNB.

If I could take only one skill out of my time at university, it would be the ability to think critically. In a world practically run by social media, we can access so much information using just our fingertips. We can learn about celebrity gossip, world news, or the latest medical discoveries within moments. But, with the ease of accessibility comes the threat of “fake news”. The purpose of this blog is to disentangle fact, based on empirical evidence, from the misinformation and scare tactics that run rampant in scientific discussions online. Specifically, I am interested in pseudo-science’s favorite boogeyman, ~the vaccine~. 

Over the course of this semester, my peers and I will try our best to tackle some common myths. We will do so by identifying popular rhetoric and using evidence to debunk misinformation. Our goal is to #destory internet trolls while learning to communicate biology in an interesting and effective way.

If you’re in need of some casual science discourse in your life, feel free to join us along our journey!

TTYL