Sunaina Rao, M.Sc Biotechnology

Chief Editor, FROMTBOT · 42 stories

Sunaina Rao is a molecular biologist and the Chief Editor of FROMTBOT. Sunaina is also a science illustrator and passionate about science communication.

Scientists discover that a freshwater unicellular organism belonging to the Halteria genus can reproduce by eating just viruses. Image by Arek Socha from Pixabay.

microbiology · Life · 01 Feb 2023

Consuming viruses - When the predator becomes the prey

Sunaina Rao

Scientists show that these aquatic, unicellular organisms can multiply by just eating viruses.

During the plague, panels of this kind were placed on the walls of houses to warn people about the raging plague pandemic. Credit: Wikimedia.

immune system · Life · 01 Jan 2023

The unfortunate cost of surviving the Black Death

Sunaina Rao

The bubonic plague took millions of lives in the 14th century, sparing only a lucky few. However, studies now show that surviving the plague may have come at an unfortunate cost.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Lupus is an autoimmune disease that can severely impact organs like the kidneys, lungs, and heart. Patients often require organ transplantation to enhance survival. Image by Sasin Tipchai from Pixabay.

immune system · Life · 01 Dec 2022

What is Lupus and can CAR T cell therapy help treat it?

Sunaina Rao

Scientists hack the immune system to treat the autoimmune disease – systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), also called Lupus.

Wounds are quite common in our day-to-day life. Our body heals these wounds in 4 phases. Image by cottonbro from Pexels.

immune system · Life · 01 Nov 2022

How our wounds heal themselves - The 4 phases of wound healing

Sunaina Rao

Our skin, being the outermost layer of our body, is very susceptible to wounds. Here we discuss the sophisticated mechanism by which our body heals these wounds.

Autumn is a season where the days get shorter and colder. This change affects not just plants, but animals and humans as well. Image by Gerhard from Pixabay.

seasons · Earth · 01 Oct 2022

5 unique autumn things and the science behind them

Sunaina Rao

Autumn brings with it many changes in the weather as well as in plant and animal behaviour. But why these changes and what is the science behind them?

sleep · Life · 01 Sep 2022

What spiders have taught us about sleep

Sunaina Rao

Scientists studying sleeping spiders find that they sleep very similar to humans. This reveals that sleep must have a very important role in evolution.

microbiology · Life · 01 Aug 2022

What's that black thing growing on my bread?!

Sunaina Rao

Neither a plant nor an animal, fungi are very unique organisms. The black bread mould is especially one such fungus.

Human embryonic kidney cells as seen under the microscope. These cells have a typical shape which helps perform a specific function. Credit: Wikimedia.

cells · Life · 01 Jul 2022

Why our cells need to stay in shape

Sunaina Rao

When it comes to our cells, staying in shape is very important. This is because the shape of our cells can ultimately control their function.

Carnivorous plants trap and absorb nutrition from insects and related organisms. Credit: RichardsDrawings from Pixabay.

plants · Life · 01 Mar 2022

The Genius of Carnivorous Plants

Sunaina Rao

The cunning, yet genius trapping mechanisms in carnivorous plants.

vaccines · Life · 01 Jan 2022

The 4 decade long hunt for a HIV vaccine continues

Sunaina Rao

Why developing a vaccine against HIV has proven so difficult and the 3 promising HIV vaccine candidates to look out for.

Ardem Patapoutian (left) and David Julius (right). Credit - Ill. Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach.

neuroscience · Life · 07 Nov 2021

Science Explained - The 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine

Sunaina Rao

From chronic inflammatory pain to migraine, the discovery behind this year’s Nobel Prize could improve the quality of millions of lives.

A group of honeybees building their honeycomb.

insects · Life · 24 Sep 2021

How do bees make honey?

Sunaina Rao

Converting simple sugary solutions into delicious, syrupy honey, bees can indeed be considered master chefs!

literacy · Science Policy · 11 Sep 2021

6 Inspiring Science Communicators and How They Have Changed the Way We Look at Science

Sunaina Rao

In our opinion, they were instrumental in normalising the scientific process in pop culture.

Diabetes impacts millions of lives worldwide.

diabetes · Life · 25 Aug 2021

Is There a Permanent Cure for Type 2 Diabetes?

Sunaina Rao

Here, I discuss three interesting strategies proposed by scientists that have the potential to permanently cure type 2 diabetes.

dogs · Life · 17 Aug 2021

How Dogs and Humans See The World Differently

Sunaina Rao

Dogs have contrasting visual abilities when compared to humans.

ageing · Life · 09 Aug 2021

Can Telomerase Help Slow Down Ageing?

Sunaina Rao

The role of telomerase in telomere maintenance and ageing.

neuroscience · Life · 20 Mar 2021

Why Do We Enjoy Presenting Gifts To Our Loved Ones?

Sunaina Rao

The answer lies in our evolution, neurobiology and psychology.

covid-19 · Science Policy · 10 Feb 2021

Are our COVID 19 Policies Grounded in Quality Science?

Sunaina Rao

A recent research published in the journal Science, explores how COVID 19 science affected policy making in government agencies, think tanks and IGOs.