Biology

Background

Human Gene Editing: Science (Non-)Fiction?

Human gene editing has long been a popular subject in science fiction. Some of these stories, such as GATTACA and The Island of Dr. Moreau, envisioned dystopian worlds ruled by social inequality, genetic mishaps and discrimination.

Igor van der Meulen • October 22, 2025

Event

Fat Bear Week 2025: Alaska’s bulkiest bears fight for the ultimate crown

The biggest (and fattest) event of the year is upon us. As the bears in Katmai National Park in Alaska prepare to hibernate for the winter, the game is on to become the sturdiest bear around. Competition is fierce for the best position by the river, the most fish, and the chunkiest winter body.

Ella Flynn • September 27, 2025

Background

A Fungal Future?

In recent years it has become quite apparent that most of the materials we use are not sustainable. They are either non-degradable, their production process is extremely polluting or sometimes both are true.

• March 26, 2025

Background

Carbon Dioxide and Our Atmosphere - Make It or Break It?

We hear so much news about how too much carbon dioxide, CO₂, in the air is bad for the environment. You might start to think CO₂ is a bad substance, even though it is an important part of life as we know it.

Hilde Houtzager • March 12, 2025

Background

The Secrets of Soil – How the answer to some problems lies right beneath our feet

Have you ever tried to fix a problem in a very complicated way, only to realize later that the easiest solution was right there all along? This not only happens to many people in their daily lives, but can also happen while trying to solve the major challenges of humanity.

• February 28, 2025

Background

The Entire Data of You: A Black Mirror Reality in the Making

The research was promising, the results were amazing, and the future looked bright for medicine through genomics. Suddenly, everything changed and it turned into a black-mirror episode. If we don’t keep the data in our genomes safe, we risk this plot becoming a reality.

Hilde Houtzager • January 29, 2025

Background

From Old to Young: Nature’s Ultimate Reboot

This tiny jellyfish might not look like much, but it has a unique gift that might hold the secret for human rejuvenation.

• December 03, 2024

Opinion

How Leiden Science Magazine Fights Misinformation Together With Combjellies

It was a Tuesday morning when my dad showed me an article by nu.nl about two comb jellies that can fuse into one when wounded¹. Then, he started to call them“jellyfish” because this was what they were (incorrectly) called in the article. I had to correct him, because comb jellies are not jellyfish!

Hilde Houtzager • November 13, 2024

Interview

Using Bacteria as Sniffer Dogs for Cancer

Adam Sidi Mabrouk is doing his PhD at Ariane Briegel's lab. Among other things he researches chemotaxis; how bacteria move to or from certain compounds. He sometimes uses electron microscopy, for which he wants to make a label. But he also found an unexpected use for chemotaxis.

• September 24, 2024

Articles

Human Gene Editing: Science (Non-)Fiction?

Fat Bear Week 2025: Alaska’s bulkiest bears fight for the ultimate crown

A Fungal Future?

Carbon Dioxide and Our Atmosphere - Make It or Break It?

The Secrets of Soil – How the answer to some problems lies right beneath our feet

The Entire Data of You: A Black Mirror Reality in the Making

From Old to Young: Nature’s Ultimate Reboot

How Leiden Science Magazine Fights Misinformation Together With Combjellies

Using Bacteria as Sniffer Dogs for Cancer