Dr. Catherine Shaffer

Feature Writer

Ph.D

Life Sciences, Cell Biology

Catherine Shaffer is a freelance science and health writer from Michigan. She has written for a wide variety of trade and consumer publications on life sciences topics, particularly in the area of drug discovery and development. She holds a Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry and began her career as a laboratory researcher before transitioning to science writing. She also writes and publishes fiction, and in her free time enjoys yoga, biking, and taking care of her pets.

Articles from Catherine

Regulatory T Cells and Cancer

Regulatory T cells are responsible for modulating the activity of B and T lymphocytes. They have been linked to both the inhibition and growth of cancer.

9 Mar 2018

Poliovirus Infection

Polio is caused by the poliovirus, a member of the picornavirus family which infects the neuromuscular system and causes a deadly disease.

9 Mar 2018

Multiplex Ligation-Dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA)

Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA) is a method for detecting copy number changes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

7 Mar 2018

Influenza A Structure

This article describes the structure of the influenza A virus. The virus uses surface proteins called haemagglutinin and neuraminidase to enter host cells.

7 Mar 2018

Lymph Node Structure

The lymphatic system is an essential part of the immune system. This article describes the structure and functions of the lymph node.

6 Mar 2018

Influenza A Infection

This article describes the methods employed by the Influenza A virus to infect human and other eukaryotic cells.

5 Mar 2018

History of Vaccination

This article describes the history of vaccination and the methodologies used to produce vaccines, including attentuation, reassortment and inactivation.

2 Mar 2018

Complement System Overview

The article describes the components of the complement system and its involvement in the recognition and killing of pathogens.

2 Mar 2018

Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy

This article provides an overview of serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBEM) and the challenges that researchers are working to overcome.

26 Feb 2018

Serial Block Face Scanning Electron Microscopy Applications

This article describes the applications of serial block-face scanning electron microscopy in neuroscience, cardiology, opthamology and material science.

26 Feb 2018