Page 18 - Abacoa Community News - January '25

Page 18, Abacoa
science on tHe cutting edge

Master Copper Regulator molecule ATP, which fuels hundreds of vital body functions such swim normally, but unlike normal worms whose swimming
continues for 30 minutes or more, in less than a minute, the
as muscle contraction, digestion and heart function as well as the
Discovery May Offer signaling of brain neurons that allows us to think and feel,” said mutants display swimming-induced paralysis or SWIP,” said
Blakely. “We tracked the paralysis to an excess activity of their
Blakely, senior author, and David J.S. Nicholson Distinguished
Alzheimer’s Clues Professor in Neuroscience at FAU. “Copper also helps protect
cells from harmful molecules termed reactive oxygen species, or
By Gisele Galoustian ROS, which in excess can damage proteins and DNA, ultimately
New therapeutic driving cell death, including neurons that die in Parkinson’s and
opportunities often emerge from Alzheimer’s disease.”
research on simple organisms. Copper exists mainly in two forms: cuprous copper (termed
For instance, the 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Cu(I)) and cupric copper (termed Cu(II)). These two forms are
Emmanuelle Charpentier, Ph.D., and Jennifer Doudna, Ph.D., managed by different proteins in the body and can be converted
for their CRISPR-based DNA editing discovery began with from one to the other to support various chemical reactions
studies using bacteria just a decade prior. Today, CRISPR vital to human health. Scientists are still studying how the
therapies are approved for several disorders, and more such body maintains the right balance between these two copper
treatments are in the offing. forms, which is important, as too much or too little of either
Recognizing the translational potential of studies in simpler can wreak havoc on cells, particularly neurons. This is where
animal models, a team of scientists led by Randy D. Blakely, swip-10 enters the picture.
Ph.D., at Florida Atlantic University’s Schmidt College of Blakely’s worm team, led by former member Andrew Formally known as C. elegans, the tiny, inauspicious
Medicine and FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute, have Hardaway, Ph.D., reported the identification of the swip-10 roundworm is a favorite of neuroscientists seeking to identify
taken an important step that may lead to treatments for human gene in 2015, following a screen for molecules needed to control and manipulate genes that impact neural signaling and health.
neurodegenerative disorders. Their work begins with a tiny, the activity of worm dopamine neurons, specifically those that (Photo by Riya Sheokand)
inauspicious roundworm. control their ability to swim.
Formally known as Caenorhabditis elegans, the nematode is “Worms with a damaging mutation in swip-10 initially Science On The Cutting Edge on page 20
a favorite of neuroscientists seeking to identify and manipulate
genes that impact neural signaling and health. In a new study,
published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of One-to-One College Planning
Sciences, Blakely and colleagues link the function of the worm
gene swip-10 to the control of copper. While known for its use Grades 9-12
in electrical wiring, pots, pans and jewelry, copper also is a
vital micronutrient that plays several essential roles in all cells,
including those of the human brain. All inclusive college services
“Copper is required for the function of mitochondria, the
powerhouse of cells, and its production of the energy-storing Test prep, essays & resumes,
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College Planning

By Peggy Forgan, M. Ed.
Junior year is a critical
time for college planning. It’s
when high schoolers start to
focus on their future and make
decisions that really count.
And with most students just 10
months away from applying to
college, it’s clear that the 11th
grade is crunch time.
Class 101’s Super Junior
program helps students get
ahead of the curve before application season even begins. Here’s
everything you need to know about becoming a Super Junior, and
why it’s one of the best ways to bring your student up to speed.
A Super Junior is an 11th grader who wants to get a head
start on college planning. By completing our fast-track Super
Junior program, students start the planning process when it
matters the most: during the application preseason. That way,
when application season rolls around on August 1 of their
senior year, they are well ahead of their peers.
Junior year is the most crucial time for students to take
ownership of their grades, sharpen important skills, and begin
the college admissions process. All of this is time-consuming
and overwhelming, from prepping for standardized tests to
finalizing resumes. The Super Junior program alleviates the
stress of college planning by helping students achieve their
goals before senior year.
All Super Juniors will complete a “Super Junior Checklist”
specifically designed to help them put their best foot forward.
Here’s a look at the seven things they will accomplish in 90
days:
1. Create a top 10 list of colleges and universities
2. Complete three college visits (either virtual or in-person)
3. Take DISC assessment & review report
4. Establish baseline SAT score
5. Document top 10 trends from baseline score
6. Create a resume with all activities listed
7. Have a parent meeting to review all items on your checklist
All students who complete the program will earn a Super
Junior certificate and will be entered for a chance to win a new
laptop! The Class 101 Super Junior is underway.
Call (561) 418-7897, email pforgan@class101.com or visit
class101.com/palmbeachfl if you are ready for your student to
become a Class 101 Super Junior.