In case you wonder what the biggest breakthroughs in biology and neuroscience were in 2024, here is the top 3 list, composed by Quanta Magazine. You might be surprised that this includes research studies that answer basic, but nevertheless important science questions such as: where do all cells originate from, and does the brain control your immune system, or how does AI from Google DeepMind help to solve the enigma of how proteins form inside your cells?

The study of life’s ancient ancestor:

The idea that all life originates from a common ancestor is certainly not new but using advanced evolutionary genomic and taxonomic analysis, a team of interdisciplinary scientists was able reconstruct a model of what this ancient cell type (or population of cells) might have looked like and how it metabolized and survived. The study suggests the existence of surprisingly complex cells some 4.2 billion years ago!

A brain-body connection that links the brain and immune system:

In the last few years, we have learned more about the gut-brain connection, which is leading to novel treatments and medications. However, little was known about any possible connection between the immune system and the brain until last year’s study. Up until recently it was thought that the immune system is mainly self-regulating when it comes to things like inflammation. However, this recent study shows an unexpected brain-immune system connection where the brain contains a specific area that can regulate inflammation. Chronic inflammation is involved in many diseases, from diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, arthritis, and even cancer. This newly discovered connection will certainly lead to new treatment avenues.

AI transforms protein structure science:

AI is a hot topic everywhere these days, and certainly in science its use has been expanding. You may remember that proteins fold into a specific 3-dimensional structure that is important for their function. However, for decades scientists have been trying to predict and model how this folding actually works. With the help of Google DeepMind AlphaFold2, we can now accurately predict the three-dimensional structure from a one-dimensional string of amino acids. This has many applications, from predicting viral evolution to also designing new protein-based drugs. In November 2024 the Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to the creators of AlphaFold2.

Here is a video summary of these discoveries:

All of these are topics that have roots in basic science research, and if you are curious to learn more, we discuss all these in our science Gen Ed courses (like BI142 ’12 ways biology will change the way you think’) and in more detail in our advanced microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and biochemistry courses.