In the video What is the most significant change I've seen in the biosciences during my career?, I look at what I consider to be some of the biggest changes I have seen.
This video is part of my "You Ask, I Answer" series.
Over my career in bioscience, I’ve witnessed some incredible changes that have significantly changed how we do biomedical sciences and how cells work.
Recently, I was asked what I considered the most significant change in the biosciences I had seen. At first, I thought of the rise of omics technologies like genomics and proteomics, but after I thought about it some more, a few key innovations and changes in our thinking truly stood out.
In this blog post, I’ll tell you what I consider to be the major changes I have seen.
The PCR Revolution
When I first encountered PCR in the late 1980s, it seemed almost like a magic trick. The idea that you could heat a solution containing enzymes to 90°C and still get a reaction was mind-blowing. As a biochemist, the method seemed to go against what I had been taught on my degree - enzymes start to denature and stop working once you get above 40 ºC.
Now, PCR is everywhere in the biosciences. It's used for research, criminal forensics, and disease diagnosis, and the ability to amplify DNA has changed the way we do science.
PCR Videos:
Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics
Another major technological leap I saw was the rise of easy-to-use mass spectrometers. Early in my career, mass spectrometry was a complex and inaccessible tool. However, the introduction of user-friendly mass spectrometers transformed lab work. Suddenly, we could easily measure the monoisotopic mass of peptides and carry out peptide mass fingerprinting to identify proteins with ease.
This shift was a game-changer for proteomics and molecular biology, enabling us to quickly identify proteins. The combination of advanced instruments and accessible databases allowed for faster, more detailed analyses that were once considered out of reach for most labs.
Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics has completely altered the way we approach science. Finding a scientific paper or sequence information in the past required extensive library work and manual searches. Now, with databases full of genetic sequences, protein structures, and published studies, the challenge has shifted from finding data to filtering and making sense of it.
When I started, labs had no computers at all. Now, every researcher has a personal computer linked to a global network of scientific knowledge and a vast array of powerful bioinformatic tools.
Adipocytes - the cells that changed
Beyond technological advances, our understanding of biology has also changed.
When I first started studying bioscience, adipocytes (fat cells) were considered passive storage units for energy. Today, they are recognised as dynamic endocrine organs that secrete a range of adipokines, influencing metabolism and overall health.
As we age, we tend to gain more fat cells, effectively adding to the number of these endocrine cells in our bodies. This shift in understanding has implications for obesity research, diabetes treatment, and metabolic health,
Mitochondria - not just a powerhouse
Our understanding of the mitochondrion—the "powerhouse" of the cell—has also changed.
Mitochondria were initially viewed as static structures within cells; however, we now know that mitochondria are dynamic organelles. They fuse, move, and interact with other cellular components, forming complex networks that help regulate cellular energy and even apoptosis (programmed cell death).
Mitochondria Videos
The Golgi
Like the mitochondria, our view of how the Golgi works has also changed. Previously, the Golgi was viewed as a series of membranes that looked like a stack of dinner plates, with the proteins being processed moving through the stack. Now, the machinery processing the proteins comes to the proteins, a radical change in our thinking.
My top picks
So, which do I view as the top change? Well, you will have to watch the video to find out!
Additional Resources
- 📗 - The Biosciences Glossary - Google Play Book Store
- 📗 - Maths and Chemistry Refresher for Life and Biomedical Scientists - Google Play Book Store
- 📗 - Molecular Biology of the Cell (Alberts) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Molecular Cell Biology (Lodish) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Biochemistry (Stryer) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Principles of Biochemistry (Lehninger) - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Catchup Maths and Stats - (affiliate link)
- 📗 - Catchup Chemistry - (affiliate link)
- 🌎 - You can practice your lab calculations at: https://maths4biosciences.drnickmorris.com/
