THE FILIPINO BIOLOGY TEACHER

Synopsis: Epigenetics is the science of altering gene function without altering DNA. In this report, scientists found out that mature fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) can be reprogrammed to produce induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), a stem cell that is different from the normal stem cells (undifferentiated) produced during embryonic development. Through the process of methylation (silencing of the genes), the epigenetic characteristic of an iPSC was determined and compared to the methylation patterns of the cell from which it was extracted. DMR (differentially methylated regions) comparisons showed surprising overlaps between DMRs of stem cells from fibroblast and DMRs of normal cells that turn into cancer cells. As compared to the embryonic stem cells which are now used for treatments and therapies, the methylation patterns of iPSC could be a potential area for development of new approaches in stem cell therapy, using iPSC as a replacement for embryonic stem cells. Scientist...

Although headlines in 1992 were largely devoted to other issues, including the stagnant world economy, the environment was far from forgotten. The year's preeminent environmental event, one which captured attention throughout the world, was, without doubt, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, better known as the Earth Summit. Between June 3 and June 14 representatives from more than 170 nations converged on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the Earth Summit. Some 35,000 participants discussed a host of environmental issues, including global warming, deforestation, species preservation, and environmentally benign industrial development. The final round of talks was attended by 117 heads of state and government, including U.S. President George Bush. It was reportedly the largest gathering ever of world leaders. But assembling so many world leaders in one place was a small challenge compared with getting them to agree on the measures that needed to be taken to prote...

The largest Antarctic ozone hole recorded as of September 2006 The Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (a protocol to the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer) is an international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of a number of substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The treaty was opened for signature on September 16, 1987, and entered into force on January 1, 1989, followed by a first meeting in Helsinki, May 1989. Since then, it has undergone seven revisions, in 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992 (Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995 (Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), and 1999 (Beijing). It is believed that if the international agreement is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050. Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been hailed as an example of exceptional international co-operation with Kofi Annan quoted as saying that "perhaps the single most su...

I have always wanted to be trained of the skill that I am wanting. Last year, I was granted a DOST scholarship in UP. I waited so long for this chance to come but it seemed it was not yet my time. Since I was still recuperating from my lung granuloma that time, I was out of focus. After an emotional attachment, so attached, with my wife and kids, brought about by that fear of dying, I was not able to let go of the feeling. Besides, early morning travel from Recto to Diliman pissed me. Add to this is the eerie ambience at the College of Science where I had my first blow of tears. I was inside one of the lecture rooms when lightning and thunder struck the already gloomy morning. I was detached from the younger group of students. I was isolating myself since I knew nobody. It rained hard. A cold wind passed by. It brought a nostalgic moment. I didn't like the feeling. I was thinking I would be out of my mind if I have to experience it everyday. I called my wife. I said, "I don...