Chemical modification of RNA by the addition of methyl groups is known to alter gene expression without changing the nucleotide sequence. The addition of a methyl group to adenosine has been found to regulate gene expression of animal viruses, and most recently of plant viruses. The illustration shows a methyl ...

Vincent speaks with 1993 Nobel Laureate Phillip A. Sharp about his career and his seminal discovery of RNA splicing in mammalian cells, which changed our understanding of gene structure. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 462 (24 MB .mp3, 39 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv

The TWiVers discuss the declining readability of scientific texts, and review the use of self-inactivating rabies virus for tracing neural circuits. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 461 (79 MB .mp3, 127 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv

https://youtu.be/73XwVhwdcC4 Vincent travels to the University of Pennsylvania and speaks with virologists Gary Cohen, Scott Hensley, Carolina Lopez, and Susan Weiss about their careers and their research. Click arrow to play Download TWiV 460 (56 MB .mp3, 93 min) Subscribe (free): iTunes, RSS, email Become a patron of TWiV! Show notes at microbe.tv/twiv

The scientists I know realize that they use jargon, both in their writing and in their seminars - but they can't seem to stop. There is a very good reason to  stop using jargon - it has likely lead to a decrease in the readability of scientific texts for the ...