Amanda Hall 01/15/14 1B 3x3 Assignment Stem Cells Overcome Damage in Other Cells by Exporting Mitochondria http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/01/140116085059.

htm Published Jan 16, 2014 Anurag Agrawal and his research team at the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in India have just identified a protein called Miro1 that encourages the transfer of mitochondria to lung cells from mesenchymal stem cells. They found out about the proteins power by testing the levels of therapeutic effectiveness with and without Miro1. The presence of Miro1 is definitely correlated to an increase in the transfer of mitochondria to the lung cells. When mitochondria are transferred back to the lungs like this, the EMBO Journal states, it can help to rejuvenate damaged cells. This is important, because the mitochondria can help repair tissue damage and inflammation that may be linked to asthma. They say that not only do the mitochondria have these short term benefits, but they may help in the long run, too. It is possible that the mesenchymal stem cells can even be shaped to make more efficient therapies for lung disease. I think this article is very interesting. It is awesome to know that through the basic science processes of experimenting, we can learn more about how our bodies work. This impacts my life, because this research team has possibly found a way to further therapeutically help those with lung disease. With many people affected by lung disease, we should be grateful for the work that this team has done. This relates to the subjects we have discussed, because it directly relates to the cell cycle. When the mitochondria are sent back to the lung cells, the cells are rejuvenated. This spark of life starts the growth and repair process toward having healthier cells. We should care about this information, because it is the little findings like this that can spark something new. If we can find even more proteins like Miro1 that help to revive the cell growth and repair, we might be able to cure lung disease forever. All it takes is one discovery like this to spark this revolution.

Mathematical Study of Photosynthesis Clears the Path to Developing New Super Crops http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131017135126.htm Published Oct 17, 2013 Scientists like Dr. Iain Johnston from the Imperial College London and plant biologist Ben Williams from the University of Cambridge have now identified the methods by which some plants have developed extremely efficient photosynthesis systems. Only about 3% of all plants use this type of advanced photosynthesis, but it makes them over 50% more efficient. When we trace the evolutionary history back, we learn that both maize and sugar cane have these capabilities, even though they evolved independently from one another and are not related. Using math, we now know that these plants can take in more carbon dioxide from the

Amanda Hall 01/15/14 1B atmosphere, retain more water, and grow quicker. When all of these are put together, we result in a plant that can improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. This article made me think about all of the plants that we have in our world and how they used to be different. Back before humans were here, the plants that we know today may not have even existed, or been so primitive that we would not recognize them. This article is eye opening and helps you keep it in perspective. This impacts my life, because many food companies are working to produce more efficient plants with bigger and more abundant crops. A good portion of the food I eat may be food that has been a result of genetically modified crop systems. This relates to the subjects we discussed, because it relates directly to photosynthesis. The reason these plants are so efficient is because of the factors that go into the photosynthesis equation: carbon dioxide, water, etc. We should care about this, because whether we like it or not, we will always try to be more efficient. In trying to feed the ever-growing world, being able to grow more food faster will (and already is) a high priority.

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