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

Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE) and DNA Microarray Compared

DNA microarrays provide rapid screening for a large number of known genes. SAGE cannot facilitate as many samples but can screen uncharacterized genomes.

16 Jan 2018

Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE)

Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) involves the amplification and sequencing of mRNA. It can be used to identify causal genes in disease.

15 Jan 2018

Sanger Sequencing and Next-Generation Sequencing Compared

Currently, the two most popular methods of DNA sequencing are Sanger sequencing and next generation sequencing (NGS). View a comparison of each method here.

12 Jan 2018

MPSS and SAGE Comparison

Gene expression analysis is a study of the relative frequency of expression of individual genes in a sample. Genes are encoded in DNA, transcribed to RNA, and translated to protein. Messenger RNAs, or mRNAs, are the intermediate step between the gene and the protein. The level of mRNA in a sample indicates the level of gene expression. The more mRNAs, the higher the level of expression.

22 Dec 2017

Claustrophobia Research

Claustrophobia is a psychological disorder in which the person fears enclosed spaces or physical restriction. Severe claustrophobia has a high prevalence of around 4 percent in the population, and many more people have a milder version of the disorder.

8 Dec 2017

Treating Claustrophobia

Claustrophobia is a condition characterized by the development of unbearable anxiety in enclosed spaces or with physical restriction. Common triggers for claustrophobia include small rooms, elevators, crowded places, and MRI scanners. The symptoms of claustrophobia are typical anxiety symptoms. They can be mild, such as trembling and sweating. Symptoms can also be severe, such as rapid heartbeat, fainting, or panic attack.

5 Dec 2017

Claustrophobia Diagnosis

Claustrophobia is a fear of small spaces or confinement. It is a type of specific phobia, or an excessive fear of a specific object or situation. It is fairly prevalent with about 4% of the population experiencing significant symptoms of claustrophobia. Common triggers for claustrophobia are small rooms, elevators, crowded places, and MRI scanners.

4 Dec 2017

Metastatic Melanoma

Melanoma is a type of skin cancer. When melanoma spreads to other parts of the body, it’s called metastatic melanoma, or stage IV melanoma. Some common sites for metastatic melanoma are the liver, lungs, bones, and brain.

4 Dec 2017

Agoraphobia Theories

Agoraphobia is generally known as a fear of open or public spaces, or a fear of leaving the house. It is diagnosed when the person experiences anxiety symptoms or panic attacks in multiple situations that fall under the umbrella of agoraphobia triggers. The origins of agoraphobia can be complex. They include trauma, brain chemistry, and co-occurring disorders.

4 Dec 2017

Claustrophobia Symptoms

Claustrophobia is a fear reaction to small spaces or physical restriction. It is in the category of specific phobia: fear of a specific object or situation. Clinical claustrophobia affects about 4% of the population severely. Many more suffer from claustrophobia at a mild or moderate level. Common triggers for claustrophobia are small rooms, elevators, crowded places, and MRI scanners.

3 Dec 2017