#microscopic world

Diatoms

And an intruder there in the corner

RNA: The Dynamic Molecule Driving Life's Diversity

DNA, the blueprint of life, often steals the spotlight when it comes to genetics. But lurking in its shadow is another crucial molecule, RNA (Ribonucleic Acid), playing a pivotal role in the symphony of life. More than just a passive messenger, RNA boasts a vibrant history and holds exciting potential for the future. Let's embark on a journey to unveil the world of RNA, exploring its captivating story and why it deserves your attention.

The story of RNA's discovery began in 1860 when Friedrich Miescher isolated a mysterious "nuclein" from white blood cells. However, it wasn't until the 1950s that James Watson and Francis Crick, alongside Rosalind Franklin (whose contributions were initially overlooked), unraveled the structure of DNA, relegating RNA to a supporting role as a mere messenger molecule. But the plot thickened in the 1960s when researchers like Howard Temin and David Baltimore stumbled upon reverse transcriptase, an enzyme that could convert RNA into DNA, challenging the long-held "central dogma" of DNA being the sole source of genetic information. This discovery opened the door to a whole new understanding of RNA's diverse capabilities.

The Many Faces of RNA

But RNA isn't just a protein puppet master. There are different types of RNA, each with unique jobs:

Messenger RNA (mRNA): Delivers the protein-making message. Transfer RNA (tRNA): Brings the amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, to the party. Ribosomal RNA (rRNA): The foreman of the ribosome factory, making sure everything runs smoothly. Non-coding RNA (ncRNA): A diverse bunch with various roles, from regulating genes to fighting viruses.

The true game-changer came in the early 2000s. Scientists stumbled upon a vast class of non-coding RNAs that don't code for proteins but have diverse and crucial functions. microRNAs (miRNAs), for example, regulate gene expression by silencing specific genes, while long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) control various cellular processes like development and disease. This discovery shattered the dogma that only protein-coding genes mattered, highlighting the crucial roles played by non-coding RNAs.

This newfound understanding of RNA's potential has ignited a revolution in medicine. Researchers are exploring RNA-based therapies for various diseases, from cancer and neurodegenerative disorders to viral infections. mRNA vaccines, like the ones used against COVID-19, harness the power of messenger RNA to deliver genetic instructions directly to cells, triggering immune responses. The future holds even more promise, with scientists exploring techniques like CRISPR-Cas9 to edit RNA and potentially treat genetic diseases.

Besties

Those 3 friends weren't together like this, i collected each one from a different sample so i could take a picture of the 3 species of the same genus that occur here at the bay next to each other, for comparison.

Since everyone enjoyed my diatoms so much, here is some phytoplankton from a freshwater sample.

Aren't they cute? You can really see the cloroplasts formation in that middle one.

I wish i was a little phytoplankton floating on a water column somewhere. Just making photosynthesis and chilling with my other microscopic buddies. Maybe getting eaten by a small fish.

Ever seen one of those?

I think It's either a Daphnia or a Copepod (most likely the first, but i always find it tricky to identify them while they are running around the petri dish, i have been tricked before)