CSUN Microbiology Student Association

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Full FDA Approval of a COVID-19 Vaccine: What You Should Know The three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for use in the U.S. are safe and effective in helping prevent serious disease or death due to the coronavirus. Learn more about how these vaccines can help prevent COVID-19.

Bacteria is like...

Trick or treatment? 😂 via imgur

The Nobel Prize | Women who changed science | Ada Yonath Ever since she was a girl, Ada Yonath has set herself seemingly impossible goals, and then figured out how to reach them, step by step. As a young scientist she took on a challenge that others considered hopeless – mapping the structure of the ribosome – and persevered for decades until she succ...

German physician Robert Koch, born on this day in 1843, discovered the bacterium that causes tuberculosis (TB)

In the 1800s, the disease caused as many as a quarter of all deaths in Europe. Koch's discovery opened the way for diagnosis and cure, and during the 1900s, the mortality rate declined drastically due to research and the introduction of antibiotics.

Known as "the father of bacteriology", Koch was awarded the 1905 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery.

Learn more: https://bit.ly/32OS1wR

Photos: Robert Koch circa. 1900 and a drawing of the causes of tuberculosis.

Vaccine side effects.

Much of the vaccine hoopla is focused on the December 10 FDA meeting and subsequent vaccine distribution. Much less attention has focused on informing, and preparing, the public on what to expect once you actually get the vaccine. I think this is a mistake. We must be transparent about what people should expect.

After vaccination, close to 100% of people will experience a local symptom. This includes pain at injection site, redness, and some swelling. I don’t think any of us are surprised about these, considering the vaccination comes with a needle.

A much smaller amount of people will experience intense (defined as preventing daily activities) side effects. In the Moderna trial, these included fatigue in 9.7% of participants, muscle pain in 8.9%, joint pain in 5.2%, and headache in 4.5%. Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine trial, side effects included fatigue (3.8%) and headache (2%). Some participants described that they “felt similar to a severe hangover” or “slight flu symptoms”. Together, 2% of participants got a fever. Chances of side effects are higher when you get the second dose (30 days after the first dose). No other severe systemic events were reported. In other words, 19,000 people did not have a severe event from the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccination.

Why the more intense side effects? The Pfizer vaccination is made up of small strands of mRNA. Basically, it’s a bunch of instruction manuals that need to be sent to your cells. However, in order for them to get there they must be transported in tiny fat bubbles (see picture labeled "lipid nanoparticle"). Some people may have some intense side effects from the fat bubbles.

The higher rate of intense reactions is more than people are typically accustomed to. However, the side effects are temporary. The side effects are normal. And, actually, side effects are a good sign that your immune system is working.

With COVID19 killing 1 in 200 people infected and the possibility of returning to a normal life, this is a small sacrifice to pay. We know that these vaccines are 95% effective. So, if you’re one of the unlucky few with side effects, have confidence in knowing that the vaccine will work.

As one immunologist said, “take Tylenol and suck it up for a day”.

Love, YLE

Data Sources:
Pfizer safety data: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-conclude-phase-3-study-covid-19-vaccine
Here is the Phase I Pfizer data on safety https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/nejmoa2022483
Opinion piece that inspired this post:
https://science.sciencemag.org/content/370/6520/1022?fbclid=IwAR0J6w3NJGDJz1SQCuiQoASKC6_UrMHbNE_o8v152BtA4VORY7swZ5l3l5o

In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the mould he was working with produced a substance that could kill many common bacteria. He called this new, exciting substance "mould juice". Only after a couple of months did he name it penicillin.

When Leland Melvin was given a space shuttle mission in 2008, he had been told he could bring family members for the official photo shoot. So, naturally, the rescue dog advocate smuggled in his dogs. ​

​Despite being honorary astronauts, the dogs were not allowed to go to space.

☺️

Who else would say, come in, we have cookies?

via Twitter/ThatDamonGuy

Ribose, a sugar needed for life, has been detected in meteorites Samples of rocks that fell to Earth contain a key molecular ingredient of RNA, part of life’s genetic machinery.

Not me using Eppendorf Group micropipettes for the last 6 years 👀 I can’t believe this year is the 75th anniversary of Eppendorf (which means they’ve been saving sore thumbs for several years now, wow incredible)!! Check them out for more information: https://bit.ly/3eT5SHu

Hi CSUN students!!

The CSUN Microbiology Student Association is holding a T-shirt design contest starting now until November 28. The designs should be biology-related and you may submit more than one for a chance to win some cash prizes.

If you are interested in participating, I encourage you to get your creative cap on and make some designs!

You may e-mail the team your designs or submit through a Google Forms link (below). We look forward for our participants and for the designs :)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSejIr5OLXBfhF_Km4I0QPGgU3zbtvSzzYE2cdamSzBlES0Ywg/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0&gxids=7757

In 1929, Alexander Fleming published his paper outlining the antibacterial properties of penicillin, and began the era of antibiotics.

Read the Nobel Laureate's full article online: https://t.co/fPKDufTlbD

Eight Persistent COVID-19 Myths and Why People Believe Them From a human-made virus to vaccine conspiracy theories, we rounded up the most insidious false claims about the pandemic

Seems obvious.

Discover the person behind the striking illustrations of the 2020 Nobel Laureates: Artist Niklas Elmehed.

Here Niklas is painting the portraits of our two new Chemistry Laureates, Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna.

CSUN Microbiology Student Association updated their website address.

Who else can relate?

Lockdown duties 👍

Seems obvious.

Via: Twitter/TheValorieClark

Colloquium: Mackelprang on the microbiology of permafrost and … life on Mars? Dr. Mackelprang This week the Biology Colloquium seminar series features CSUN Associate Professor of Biology Rachel Mackelprang. Dr. Mackelprang studies the microbial diversity of extreme environme…

Please join us this Thursday November 14, 2019 for the next speaker event in the Larry Baresi Seminar Series! Dr. Alyson Santoro from UC Santa Barbara will be presenting her research on the role of sinking particles in microbial diversity and activity in the dark ocean.

We will be hosting this event in the Pasadena Room, USU, where you will have the opportunity to eat lunch with Dr. Santoro as she discusses some of the graduate opportunities available at UC Santa Barbara. If you are interested in staying for lunch you can RSVP at [email protected]

Hope to see you there!

Join us as we welcome Dr. Mohamed Donia, all the way from Princeton University! He will be giving a talk on his research in biomolecules and the human gut microbiome. Afterwards, he will be discussing Graduate school opportunities at Princeton!
Please RSVP to [email protected]

We know studying for those first exams can be quite JARRING, but don't fret! Our annual pickling event will help you DILL with the trauma! Trust us we have the recipe for success ;-)

Sometimes protection can be expensive... but necessary. We have a solution for you — MSA is hosting our very own Lab Coat Sale this week and next week (check flyer for times)! We make getting your PPE PPEasy ;-)

Hope everyone is having a great start to their Fall semester! Come and join us for our first general meeting this Friday where we will discuss events, activities and involvement in MSA!

Hope to see ya there! 🔬🦠🧬