How Science Solves Invisible Problems

Artificial intelligence suddenly seems to be everywhere, from writing emails to shaping our Google searches to helping students with homework. But what is AI actually doing when it “talks” to us? In this coffee klatch, we will break down how large language models like ChatGPT work, why they sometimes get things wrong, and how people can use AI wisely. Over a latte, we will separate the hype from the reality and filter the grounds from the good answers.

Fluorescent dyes are used to stain cells or tissues in fluorescence imaging. The fluorescent dyes glow when shined with light, which answers questions like "What does the cell look like?" or "Where is the cancer tissue hiding in a patient?" Fluorescent dyes that emit longer wavelength light, such as some squaraines, give sharper images but suffer from low brightness. The freedom to move reduces the brightness of long wavelength squaraines even further. Putting a molecular ring, however, rigidifies it and enhances its fluorescence brightness.

Every year, over a million people are affected by leishmaniasis, a disease caused by parasites transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies. But before these parasites can infect humans, they must first survive inside the sand fly. This depends on their ability to stick to the insect’s gut. My research focuses on understanding how this attachment happens. I study the gut of the sand fly to identify molecules that may act like a kind of “biological glue.” In particular, I am investigating mucin-like proteins—sugar-rich molecules that are naturally sticky and may help the parasite hold on. I analyze these proteins and their sugar structures to identify potential candidates involved in this process. By uncovering how the parasite attaches and survives, this work could help identify new ways to block transmission before the parasite ever reaches humans.

Superheroes! We all love it when the hero takes down the villain. The villain is normally causing chaos, which brings the need for the hero to attack. That idea inspired my project to access new antibiotics. I build chains of amino acids, called peptides, and put a “hero” at one end and a “villain” at the other. The hero beats the villain in a quick fight that results in forming a ring. These ring-shaped peptides could become new antibiotics, all thanks to our hero, cysteine.