Unveiling the Genetic Blueprint of Human Brain Evolution How has the human brain evolved over time? There are several key players in the origin of human intelligence, both biological and anthropological. In this introduction, we explore some of the genetic drivers of human brain evolution and their pivotal role in shaping our higher cognitive abilities. By Madeleine Hjelt UCL Science Magazine • Biology
Bioluminescence: How Fireflies Are Trailblazing Modern Cancer Treatment Bioluminescence - the emission of light by an organism - is amongst nature’s most charming phenomena. A new phototherapy, which uses light emission from fireflies, aims at stimulating the self-destruction of remote tumours. Could this illuminate the path to a cancer-free future? By Calista Chan Presenting itself in larvae, UCL Science Magazine • Biology
Could Our Favourite Pineapple-Inhabiting Friend Help Treat Alzheimer’s? Though less lively than their cartoon counterpart, deep-ocean sponges are helping researchers alleviate symptoms of Down syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Research spearheaded by the Perha Pharmaceuticals lab in Roscoff, France, has produced a promising drug candidate, Leucettinib-21. I had the opportunity to meet the lead researcher, Dr Laurent UCL Science Magazine • Biology
Trial and Error - How Robots Are Learning to Walk, Run, and Fly Throughout our lives, we learn how to behave through trial and error. What if we could teach machines using the same principle? From football-playing robots to chemical reaction simulations, deep reinforcement learning is unlocking new levels of intelligence in machines. By Julian Tan Imagine training a dog to sit by UCL Science Magazine • Technology
Eco-Innovation: Can We Tackle the Climate Crisis Using IVF Corals and Cyborg Plants? Climate change is already reshaping our world, but what if nature and technology could fight back together? IVF corals and cyborg peace lilies are emerging as unlikely heroes in the battle against environmental destruction. These innovative solutions - designed to restore fragile marine ecosystems and monitor hidden pollutants- are reimagining UCL Science Magazine • Biology
AlphaFold2: Reshaping Our Understanding of Protein Folding AlphaFold2, one of the AI programs behind the 2024 Nobel Prize win in Chemistry, provides an innovative breakthrough for tackling "The Protein Folding Problem." The protein structure prediction capability provided by AlphaFold2 not only provides a new perspective for solving this long-standing problem but also indicates the potential UCL Science Magazine • Biology
