history of science

More Than Beer and Cheese: Why Wisconsin Has Always Been Good Ground for Science 

Posted on by Elise Johnson

Challenging Assumptions About Innovation

When people talk about places where science and technology tend to flourish, a few names surface almost immediately. Silicon Valley, Boston, Seattle, Houston. Cities associated with density, competition and speed.

For many people outside the state, Wisconsin still collapses into a short list of associations: beer, cheese, cold winters, maybe a football team. Biotechnology rarely makes that list.

That hesitation usually has less to do with science itself and more to do with assumptions about where innovation is supposed to live. National Wisconsin Day, celebrated February 15, is a good moment to look past those assumptions and consider what Wisconsin has quietly offered for a long time: an environment and culture that is well-suited for scientific advances.

Continue reading “More Than Beer and Cheese: Why Wisconsin Has Always Been Good Ground for Science “

Biotechnology Ice Breakers: A Few Conversation Starters

Posted on by Amy Prevost, PhD

quiz pictureThe biotechnology industry is one of the most dynamic out there – in fact, it never stands still! For non-scientists this can be intimidating. For scientists, it can be challenging to explain what we do in ways that non-scientists can understand and appreciate.

Scientists have made great strides in improving our ability to use molecular processes to our advantage, from discovering the basics of how to isolate and manipulate DNA to gaining an understanding of how genes direct the creation of proteins in cells.  It’s clear that there is a lot we can contribute to the scientific literacy of the general public.

In this spirit, we’ve designed a short quiz for both non-scientists (you may learn something new) and scientists (you may find it useful for engaging in conversations with your non-scientist friends and family members).  Spoiler alert: answers are provided. Continue reading “Biotechnology Ice Breakers: A Few Conversation Starters”