5 Laboratories Conducting Important Biology Research
Biology is a fascinating science that covers the study of living things, from bacteria to bees to humans. Because life is so complex, there is still a lot to discover in this field. That's why labs like the ones listed here conduct research, testing medical devices, studying endangered animals, and finding new ways to better understand the world around us. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Labs That Conduct Biology Research
| Name | Headquarters Location |
|---|---|
| The Ellington Lab | Austin, TX |
| InCube Labs | San Jose, CA |
| National Marine Mammal Foundation | San Diego, CA |
| Extavour Lab | Cambridge, MA |
| The Leonard Lab | Reno, NV |
12 Major Fields Of Life Sciences
- Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Structural Biology
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Genetics, Genomics, and Bioinformatics
- Immunology and Infectious Disease
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Neuroscience and Neurobiology
- Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Environmental Health
- Physiology
The Science Of Aging
How To Get Kids Interested in Science
If you're a parent who loves learning about how the world works, you might want to pass this intellectual curiosity onto your children. Of course, capturing a child's attention is easier said than done. Here are a few tips for how you can make learning fun for your little ones:
- Look at common plants and objects under a microscope
- Sign them up for a science summer camp
- Take a trip to a natural history museum
- Watch educational movies and TV shows
- Go hiking with them and teach them about nature
- Play board games that encourage learning
- Explain the chemistry behind cooking and baking
- Mix a few science toys in with their birthday gifts
5 Tips For Responsibly Viewing Marine Wildlife
According to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Learn about wildlife, viewing sites, and local regulations before you go
- Use binoculars and zoom lenses to get a good look without getting too close
- Never touch, handle, or ride marine wildlife
- Do not feed wildlife or attempt to lure it with decoys, sounds, or light
- Never chase or harass wildlife
Where Did Life Come From?
In Depth
The advance of scientific progress continues to reveal the stunning diversity and complexity of life on Earth. Biological research offers enormous promise for humanity's future, shedding light on the causes of illness and wellness to enable innovations in medicine, as well as helping us understand our relationship with the world's other inhabitants. In no particular order, here are five laboratories making important advances in the life sciences.
Starting off our list at #1 is the Ellington Lab at the University of Texas at Austin, which explores synthetic biology, protein engineering, and DNA nanotechnology. This team of researchers aims to create new tools for applications including medicine, security, and ecology. Their work has yielded innovative applications such as rapid testing for the Wolbachia bacterium, which reduces Zika virus transmission in mosquitoes.
Among the projects undertaken by the Ellington Lab are Michelle Byrom's work on techniques for creating novel proteins, or Cody McLeland's investigation into adhesives derived from biological compounds. The group aims to find solutions for real-world problems, as with their initiative using synthetic biology to develop microbes capable of breaking down ocean-polluting microplastics. Undergraduates have the opportunity to work with the Ellington Lab, gaining valuable research experience.
Undergraduates have the opportunity to work with the Ellington Lab, gaining valuable research experience.
Next up at #2 is InCube Labs, founded by prolific healthcare entrepreneur Mir Imran, and informed by his background in medicine and engineering. This team's multidisciplinary approach includes research in molecular biology, pharmacology, and engineering. They work to develop innovative treatment approaches such as sacral nerve stimulation for incontinence, implantable devices to deliver medication for epilepsy, and endocardial mapping and ablation technologies to diagnose heart disease.
InCube's researchers have created a novel mechanical capsule, the RaniPill, enabling painless oral delivery of medications that would normally require injections. Other projects include the development of a transdermal patch to deliver iron supplements through the skin for patients with anemia, and an electrical device to restore bladder control to patients with spinal nerve injuries. The company's venture arm funds medical entrepreneurs around the world.
Entry #3 is the National Marine Mammal Foundation, which engages in scientific, medical, and conservation efforts to protect some of the ocean's most endangered creatures. The organization's Biologic and Bioacoustic Research program examines the behavior and physiology of aquatic mammals, and the impacts on their ecology from human activity. These studies offer direct benefits for the NMMF's conservation efforts, like new techniques for health assessments in the wild.
These studies offer direct benefits for the NMMF's conservation efforts, like new techniques for health assessments in the wild.
The NMMF's research has led to numerous academic publications, advancing the world's understanding of aquatic biology. The organization reaches out to young people through presentations and workshops, introducing them to scientific concepts and fostering a desire to help preserve the oceans. The Foundation also provides direct care for rescued animals, working to improve the science of marine mammal welfare. Supporters can make a donation to further the NMMF's mission.
#4 on our list is the Extavour Lab at Harvard University. This research team, comprised of specialists from various biological disciplines, investigates the genetic mechanisms determining cell development. Through testing and observation of research animals from embryonic growth through adulthood, they work to better understand the ways that DNA gives rise to the immense variety found in the natural world.
The Extavour Lab has conducted extensive research into growth and development in different types of arthropods, including spiders, crickets, and crustaceans. They also investigate the evolutionary origins of genetic regulatory mechanisms, which differentiate broad categories of cells during embryogenesis, and culture specialized lines of research animals. The laboratory's lead investigator, Doctor Cassandra Extavour, has appeared in various media outlets to discuss the broader implications of her work.
The laboratory's lead investigator, Doctor Cassandra Extavour, has appeared in various media outlets to discuss the broader implications of her work.
We'll close with #5, the laboratory of Doctor Anne Leonard at the University of Nevada, Reno. This group of researchers investigates the biology and cognition of bees, with a particular emphasis on the ways that these pollinators distinguish between flower species in nectar foraging. These investigators conduct extensive sampling of wild plant varieties to assess the messages they send to insects via scent and color.
The Leonard Lab's major areas of inquiry include the nutritional incentives that flowers use to entice pollinators, or the ways that stressors like pesticides impact the ecology of wild bees. Doctor Leonard is also the editor for a special issue of the journal Evolutionary Ecology focused on communications between plants and animals, and has been interviewed by the New York Times about her work on bee cognition.
