Learn how cells deal with choice paralysis… through Post-it notes!

Have you ever wondered what causes a blood cell to be different than your neurons? I will be talking about the processes that cells go through to determine their fate. 

In the past, scientists tried to understand life by mapping all the DNA in humans. Somehow, our cells have a huge variety, such as muscle, blood, and brain cells, all while sharing the same DNA. As it turns out, there is an extra layer of Post-it notes on top of the DNA. These Post-it notes help young cells determine what they should become and which genes should be on or off. 

 I will present experiments in which scientists have manipulated these post-it notes to cure diseases, as well as computational models we use to understand these processes. Finally, we will get a glimpse into the future, where this technology can be used to make more food or even regrow lost limbs using your own DNA.

(Photo: Shutterstock)