Kate Yandell is a Philadelphia-based freelance writer with a love for genomics and neuroscience. She writes for Spectrum‘s Toolbox section.
Kate Yandell
Contributing Writer
Spectrum
From this contributor
With new part, CRISPR can cut RNA in living cells
A new version of the gene-editing tool CRISPR can target and cut RNA, offering a way to tinker with the expression of autism genes.
With new part, CRISPR can cut RNA in living cells
Sequencing approach bares large variety of brain cell types
Analyzing gene expression in a vision center of the mouse brain has revealed 49 different classes of cells.

Sequencing approach bares large variety of brain cell types
Precise program traces firing patterns in neural networks
By tracking calcium’s movement, a new algorithm simultaneously delineates individual neurons’ shapes as well as their firing patterns.

Precise program traces firing patterns in neural networks
Simple steps let star-shaped brain cells thrive in culture
A new method allows researchers to culture cells known as astrocytes from human brains.

Simple steps let star-shaped brain cells thrive in culture
Method marks variants among repeated DNA segments
A new tool trawls sequencing data to reveal single-letter DNA swaps within large duplications.

Method marks variants among repeated DNA segments
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New questions around motor neurons and plasticity
A researcher’s theory hangs muscle degeneration on a broken neural circuit.

New questions around motor neurons and plasticity
A researcher’s theory hangs muscle degeneration on a broken neural circuit.
Boosting SCN2A expression reduces seizures in mice
A modified form of CRISPR amps up expression of the gene—a strategy that could apply to other gene variations linked to autism.

Boosting SCN2A expression reduces seizures in mice
A modified form of CRISPR amps up expression of the gene—a strategy that could apply to other gene variations linked to autism.
Nikolay Kukushkin discusses his book, ‘One Hand Clapping: Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind’
He explains how meaning arises in the interactions found throughout nature and evolution, from molecules to minds.
Nikolay Kukushkin discusses his book, ‘One Hand Clapping: Unraveling the Mystery of the Human Mind’
He explains how meaning arises in the interactions found throughout nature and evolution, from molecules to minds.