The Blueprint Blog

We've all been there. You spend a little too long at the beach, convince yourself you're "probably fine," and then a few hours later your shoulders are bright red. The next day your skin starts to feel hot. It hurts when your shirt rubs against it. A few days later, it starts peeling. A sunburn feels like a simple thing. Too much sun, damaged skin, lesson learned. But beneath the surface, a sunburn is actually an incredibly complex biological event. In the span of a few hours

(Scientists have proposed many different evolutionary explanations) Startle Hypothesis! Eyespots can mimic predator eyes! One explanation is that eyespots work by startling predators! Many butterflies rest with their wings closed. When a predator approaches, they suddenly OPEN their wings, revealing large, eye-like patterns. This rapid change can trigger hesitation or fear, especially in birds that are highly sensitive to eye-like shapes! ...even a brief pause can be eno

A simple habit like waking up and stepping outside in the first 15-20 minutes of the morning affects your body across multiple biological layers, from genes to metabolism. Let's dive into the multi-omics of it all! Genomics Your body contains circadian clock genes that regulate a roughly 24-hour rhythm. Genes like CLOCK, PER, and BMAL1 help regulate: Sleep Hormones Body temperature Metabolism Morning sunlight helps reset this genetic clock every day. When light hits your eyes

Featuring Model Rosalinda Photography by Florence Piel What is Vitiligo? Vitiligo is a condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the cells that produce skin pigment (melanocytes). Leading to white patches on the skin. Vitiligo affects 1% of people worldwide. ALL ages, ALL backgrounds AND skin tones. (even dogs, horses, and cats get vitligo) What is Multi-Omics? By “multi-omics”, we are referring to an integrated biological approach that combines all the “om

Not just genes... Have you ever wondered how butterflies get their amazing colors and patterns? In Puerto Rico, bioinformatics researcher Angelo Ruggieri dug deep into the DNA of Heliconius butterflies to find the answer. And spoiler alert: it’s not just about the genes. Not just DNA, but how DNA is controlled For a long time, scientists thought that small mutations in genes were the main way species evolved new traits. But Angelo’s research shows something surprising: The