While genes with cryptic names like p53, Upf3a or Dsup might not sound especially fascinating to non-geneticists, water bears, guardians of genomes and ancient viruses seem more like the stuff of headlines. Bridging one and the other makes for a fun and educative read on genes that matter. The blog “Gene of the Week” exists since 2016 and explains how researchers find out about the function of genes in humans and beyond. Readers get an insight into their own genetic makeup, learn about new findings in the field of genetics and how these influence everyday life. The author, Theresa Schredelseker, is a PhD student in the lab of CIBSS speaker Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Driever. In her PhD, she works on how brain cells develop in zebrafish embryos. Developmental genes drive the differentiation from stem cells to specialized neurons.

For her blog she was now awarded the "Special Prize of the Editor", part of the Science Blog Award 2019. For the 8th time, the German science communication blog "wissenschaftkommuniziert.wordpress.de" has chosen the most influential science blogs in German language. More than 4000 votes were cast online to determine the winners.

Literacy in genetics becomes increasingly important as technologies like CRISPR, gene therapies or modified crops are discussed intensely in the media. Schredelseker uses her blog as a way to inform and mesmerize people with discoveries from inside the DNA. New posts will be published regularly, most of which in both German and English.

Discover the blog here: http://www.genderwoche.de/en