Publications by authors named "Mackenzie Thornbury"

Article Synopsis
  • Direct-to-consumer (DTC) genetic testing has become more affordable and accessible, with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) prices dropping below $300, but the potential misuse of genetic data by companies often remains hidden from consumers.
  • The transition to WGS introduces new privacy and security concerns, as existing regulations generally fail to address the differences between this method and traditional genetic testing, leading to questionable consent practices.
  • While large genomic data sets can enhance medical research and personalized healthcare, they also pose risks of misuse by businesses, law enforcement, and governments for various purposes, including surveillance and discrimination.
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Article Synopsis
  • Plant cell walls consist of lignocellulose made up of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin, which microorganisms can break down to access sugars for energy.
  • Research on the North American porcupine's microbiome revealed genes coding for four novel lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, including β-glucosidase and β-xylosidase, by using a metagenomic sequencing method.
  • Among these enzymes, the endo-1,4-β-xylanase showed significant activity at a neutral pH (7), while the other enzymes did not display in vitro functionality, marking progress in understanding enzyme potential for lignocellulose degradation.
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  • Research into broadly-acting antivirals is necessary due to drug resistance developing from the long-term use of existing treatments for herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections like acyclovir and foscarnet.
  • Orthoquin, a plant extract with photosensitizing properties, has shown promising antiviral effects against HSV-1 and HSV-2 when activated by light, effectively inhibiting viral infection in a dose-dependent manner.
  • The inactivation mechanism of Orthoquin may involve damaging viral attachment proteins, as higher doses appear to affect certain HSV-1 proteins, and the treatment also shows efficacy against other viruses like adenovirus and vesicular stomatitis virus.
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  • The diet of an animal significantly impacts the diversity and metabolic functions of its gut microbiome, particularly in species consuming lignified plant material like porcupines.
  • Researchers analyzed the porcupine's microbiome and compared it to 20 other mammals, revealing insights into bacterial diversity across different mammalian groups.
  • Results showed that while microbial composition varies, the functionalities are more consistent; particularly, porcupines and beavers possessed more cellulose-degrading enzyme genes compared to carnivores, emphasizing the link between diet and gut microbiome capabilities.
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