The gut microbiome (Part 2) – what controls the microbiome?
Yet another Q&A because it’s fun. In our last post, you saw that microorganisms in your digestive tract are a big part of your life. Much of the bacteria in…
The gut microbiome: The good, the bad, and the slacker (Part 1)
This is a simple warm-up preparing you for a series of upcoming posts dealing with the gut microbiome. You know, these microorganisms living inside you that can alter your mood,…
How to recognize pseudoscience: 5 common traits
Let’s talk pseudoscience. Why? Because it’s so available and is often seen as a replacement for conventional medicine. And to be honest, it also scares the crap out of me.…
CRISPR resistance
You might be resistant to CRISPR-Cas9 – but there are still ways around it
It looks like there could be a setback for CRISPR-Cas9 as a gene therapy option for humans. Last year ended well for the gene-editing tool, and we got one step…
New Year Special: Combining the fads in 1 dish to create a healthy dish… supposedly
The Ivory Embassy wishes all of you a happy new year! The doors to the Embassy are finally reopened after a well-needed Christmas break, and we know exactly what you…
In wine we trust – how feeding cells with wine cured cancer
Red wine cures cancer! That caught your attention, didn’t it? It’s just an example of titles or statements that can quickly spread on social media and cause confusion, in addition…
Electron microscopy turned cold – The Nobel Prize winners (Chemistry) 2017
The Nobel Prizes were awarded yesterday, December 10th. Let’s have a closer look at the prize awarded in Chemistry and how the laureates work helped us to literally look at…
Your internal clock is decoded – The Nobel Prize winners (Medicine)
The Nobel Prize Award ceremony is near. On December 10th, the Nobel laureates of 2017 will be presented in Stockholm, Sweden. Let's talk Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and your…
Everybody wants EMA – the relationship drama about drugs
Last week it was settled: the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be moving from London to Amsterdam. Brexit was the classic homewrecker in this story, forcing a 12-year relationship to…
CRISPR-Cas9 explained simply | A powerful DNA-cutter?
CRISPR-Cas is the tool that is on people’s lips right now, not only scientists' (in our opinion, at least). The media discusses designer babies, disease-resistant crops, and many other applications.…