#Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics

[katiajewelbox]

Plant Immune System Part 3

The plant immune system is the topic of my PhD thesis, which I'm currently writing following several years of lab-based research as a PhD student at Imperial College London under the supervision of Professor Colin Turnbull.

Here's an introduction to my research, which focused on how certain plants defend themselves against aphids.

Aphids are an important insect pest that threaten agriculture worldwide. As we learned in the previous post, plant resistance (R) genes control resistance to specific pests and pathogens through interaction with effectors from the invaders. Since examples of R gene-dependent aphid resistance have been documented in different plant species, aphid-specific R genes may enable the development of resistant crops.

In the model plant Medicago truncatula, there are some varieties that are resistant to aphids and other varieties that are susceptible to Pea Aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum). Whether the plant is resistant also depends on the variety of aphid. In my project, the A17 plant is resistant to PS01 aphids but not to N116 aphids, while the DZA plant is susceptible to both aphid varieties.

What is the key difference in the resistant versus susceptible plants? Resistant A17 plants have a portion of their genome “Resistance to Acyrthosiphon pisum 1” (RAP1) which determines resistance to PS01 aphids, but the genes controlling the defence response and physiological defence mechanisms remain unknown. Two candidate R genes located in RAP1, designated “RAP1A” and “RAP1B”, may control resistance.

My main objective in my PhD project has been to determine whether RAP1A and RAP1B control aphid resistance, and to investigate the RAP1-mediated defence response. I look forward to sharing the findings in publications and in talks next year!

Image credit: Original diagram by Katia Hougaard with images from the Turnbull Lab.

#katia_plantscientist#science#biology#research#plants#botany#plantbiology#phdproject#plantbiology#plantscience#sciencecommunication#diagrams#phd#imperialcollegelondon#phdthesis#medicago#aphid#plantimmunesystem#pestsandpathogens#plantpathology#womeninscience#plantbiologist

[thegenecatist]

Cat Color Basics: Eumelanin and Phaeomelanin

In mammals, there are a type of cells located in the skin called melanocytes. These cells produce a pigment called melanin which is responsible for the color of their skin and fur. There are two types of melanin; eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Eumelanin is black and brown pigment, while phaeomelenin is red pigment. The wide variety in the color of cats that we see are an outcome from mutations in the genes that result in modifications of pigment production, granule placement, and more.

Eumelanin-based colors

Phaeomelanin-based colors

Note: Breeders may call these colors by other names, such as black being labeled ebony

[science-sculpt]

Exploring RNA Interference

Imagine a molecular switch within your cells, one that can selectively turn off the production of specific proteins. This isn't science fiction; it's the power of RNA interference (RNAi), a groundbreaking biological process that has revolutionized our understanding of gene expression and holds immense potential for medicine and beyond.

The discovery of RNAi, like many scientific breakthroughs, was serendipitous. In the 1990s, Andrew Fire and Craig Mello were studying gene expression in the humble roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans (a tiny worm). While injecting worms with DNA to study a specific gene, they observed an unexpected silencing effect - not just in the injected cells, but throughout the organism. This puzzling phenomenon, initially named "co-suppression," was later recognized as a universal mechanism: RNAi.

Their groundbreaking work, awarded the Nobel Prize in 2006, sparked a scientific revolution. Researchers delved deeper, unveiling the intricate choreography of RNAi. Double-stranded RNA molecules, the key players, bind to a protein complex called RISC (RNA-induced silencing complex). RISC, equipped with an "Argonaut" enzyme, acts as a molecular matchmaker, pairing the incoming RNA with its target messenger RNA (mRNA) - the blueprint for protein production. This recognition triggers the cleavage of the target mRNA, effectively silencing the corresponding gene.

So, how exactly does RNAi silence genes? Imagine a bustling factory where DNA blueprints are used to build protein machines. RNAi acts like a tiny conductor, wielding double-stranded RNA molecules as batons. These batons bind to specific messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules, the blueprints for proteins. Now comes the clever part: with the mRNA "marked," special molecular machines chop it up, effectively preventing protein production. This targeted silencing allows scientists to turn down the volume of specific genes, observing the resulting effects and understanding their roles in health and disease.

The intricate dance of RNAi involves several key players:dsRNA: The conductor, a long molecule with two complementary strands. Dicer: The technician, an enzyme that chops dsRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), about 20-25 nucleotides long. RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC): The ensemble, containing Argonaute proteins and the siRNA. Target mRNA: The specific "instrument" to be silenced, carrying the genetic instructions for protein synthesis.

The siRNA within RISC identifies and binds to the complementary sequence on the target mRNA. This binding triggers either:Direct cleavage: Argonaute acts like a molecular scissors, severing the mRNA, preventing protein production. Translation inhibition: RISC recruits other proteins that block ribosomes from translating the mRNA into a protein.

From Labs to Life: The Diverse Applications of RNAi

The ability to silence genes with high specificity unlocks various applications across different fields:

Unlocking Gene Function: Researchers use RNAi to study gene function in various organisms, from model systems like fruit flies to complex human cells. Silencing specific genes reveals their roles in development, disease, and other biological processes.

Therapeutic Potential: RNAi holds immense promise for treating various diseases. siRNA-based drugs are being developed to target genes involved in cancer, viral infections, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Several clinical trials are underway, showcasing the potential for personalized medicine.

Crop Improvement: In agriculture, RNAi offers sustainable solutions for pest control and crop development. Silencing genes in insects can create pest-resistant crops, while altering plant genes can improve yield, nutritional value, and stress tolerance.

Beyond the Obvious: RNAi applications extend beyond these core areas. It's being explored for gene therapy, stem cell research, and functional genomics, pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration.

Despite its exciting potential, RNAi raises ethical concerns. Off-target effects, unintended silencing of non-target genes, and potential environmental risks need careful consideration. Open and responsible research, coupled with public discourse, is crucial to ensure we harness this powerful tool for good.

RNAi, a testament to biological elegance, has revolutionized our understanding of gene regulation and holds immense potential for transforming various fields. As advancements continue, the future of RNAi seems bright, promising to silence not just genes, but also diseases, food insecurity, and limitations in scientific exploration. The symphony of life, once thought unchangeable, now echoes with the possibility of fine-tuning its notes, thanks to the power of RNA interference.

[covenawhite66]

Cell engineering is currently based on two key approaches: genetically remodeling existing cells to give them new functions (more flexible but also able to reproduce) and building synthetic cells from scratch (which can't replicate but have limited biological functions).

These cyborg cells are the result of a new, third strategy. The researchers took bacterial cells as their foundation and added elements from an artificial polymer.

The cells being non-replication is important. For artificial cells to be useful, they need to be carefully controlled

Living cells possess the unique advantage of being highly adaptable and versatile. To date, living cells have been successfully repurposed for a wide variety of applications, including living therapeutics,bioremediation, and drug and gene delivery.

We envisioned the creation of a bio-micromachine chassis with similar capabilities as natural bacterial cells, but with enhanced characteristics provided by their modification with a synthetic material

[factflick]

Chapters of Life - Evolution: From Chemistry to Complexity

Chapter 1: The Primordial Soup – Where It All Began Once upon a time, about 3.8 billion years ago, the Earth was a very different place. Volcanoes roared, oceans boiled, and the atmosphere was a cocktail of gases. In this seemingly inhospitable environment, a miraculous event occurred – the birth of life from non-life, a process known as abiogenesis. Picture a warm, shallow pool or a deep-sea…

[pals-science-blog]

The cell cycle (mitosis), by me @pals-science-blog

[ink-n-shadow]

ik you have some konig bits hiding in your drafts, hand them over to us 😡😡😡😡😡🔪🔪🔪🔪

CINNAMONNNN ;-; pls enjoy the scraps of könig i have for you

TUTOR ME?

𝜗𝜚 pairing: nerd!könig x bimbo!popular!reader 𝜗𝜚 cw: allusions to smut (minors—DNI), reader is described as fem (skirts, panties), slight creep!könig, mentions of wet dreams, panty stealing, unedited

like you're taking some molecular biology course at your local university because for whatever reason they require you to take at least one STEM course, and you just cannot for the life of you understand all the equations and formulas.

but you need to pass. you're not going to graduate otherwise.

so, as desperate as you are, you're immediately making a beeline for the dorm that everyone knows to go to if they need help with a class. in a short skirt and thin tank top no less.

and nerd!könig would have no idea what he's in for when he begrudgingly opens his dorm door, muttering under his breath for someone named horangi to "please leave me the fuck alone—i'm not doing your genetics homework for you again" when he peers down at the pretty little thing standing before him with big wide eyes and a wobbling lip.

"i know you probably don't know me but—"

only nerd!könig knows exactly who you are—i mean who wouldn't? you're one of the prettiest things walking around this campus, always smiling and giggling as you weave through crowds of people going to class and saying hi to almost all of them. you'd even been in a couple of his classes, always in the back of the auditorium and popping your fruity gum as the professor drones on about cell structures.

so instead of correcting you (and telling you that he knows exactly who you are because you plague his wet dreams night after night), he listens patiently to your plight, red curls falling in front of his glossy eyes as you beg and plead with him to help you out.

"please, könig? i'll do anythin'—i just really need to pass," you all but whine, lashes fluttering to keep the petulant tears behind your lids and heel digging deeper into the sickeningly grey dorm carpeting. "i'll give you whatever you want, just name it."

and of course könig agrees, says he'll tutor you free of charge because he didn't really need your money anyway. not when he's gonna be stealing your panties from your dresser at least.

©️ ink-n-shadow 2024

do not copy, plagiarize, steal, borrow, or repost any of my work without my expressed permission

[catboybiologist]

Half formed thought. I know of a lot of trans people in fields adjacent to molecular/lab bio, including other forms of bio, but precious few to almost none within it. Julia Serrano, of course, and Ben Barres are both icons. But I feel like a lot of passion and talent for biology is funneled into other fields- scicomm, environmental science and ecology, etc- and away from molecular/cell/dev bio/genetics. And the obvious fault is the "basic biology" rhetoric about genetics that's beat into so many people's heads so early on. By the time a trans person is picking a college major, even, I think any passion they have for the subject would rightfully have died via its misinterpretation.

I don't have a fantastic idea of how to fully counter it. Advocacy, communication, and representation are important, of course. But it's harder when there are already so many preconceived notions in the general population.

[matrixbearer2024]

Also how old are the Stan twins by the time Dipper and Mabel are 12? I’m assuming they’re in college but feel free to correct me.

By the time Dipper and Mabel are 12, the Stan Twins are out of college(technically). If we place the AU in 2024(they were born in 2003) they're already 21, and considering that most undergraduate programs could typically last 2-6 years- their undergrad courses (BSBA[Bachelor of Science in Business Administration] for Stan and BS(CMB)[Bachelor of Science in Biology with specialization in Cell and Molecular Biology] for Ford) are 4 year courses. They haven't been delayed or are late in any educational progress so they've only got a year left of undergrad.

They study in Graviton University Oregon, because I didn't have gravity falls "exist" technically. The town exists and that's where the university is, just more urbanized and without any of the wtf weird creatures that reside in the town from canon.

By the way, the niblings haven't been born yet considering that Shermie isn't even married yet. I plan on Shermie getting married by new year of 2025 and settling down in Piedmont with his girl, and the niblings will be born the year after around the same time the Stan Twins finally finish undergrad.

That's not the last of it though since they both still plan on moving up to masters and Ford wants to get a Phd(he starts with one and then starts collecting them like Pokémon) and it's mostly where they diverge paths as Stan throws himself into more of accounting/enterprenurial and Ford into researcher/biologist.

I don't really think Stan uses his knowledge on business too much at the start however since I do plan on him being scouted for a sports team(Haven't decided between basketball or baseball yet) before he graduates and while building his career as an athlete he finishes his masters(he takes 3 years to do it instead of the usual 2).

Ford had his fun in undergrad, so he fully commits to studying at this point and like in canon is pretty damn advanced compared to the rest of his peers. The curriculum and subject weights have definitely shifted from canon but I still do think it would only more or less take him 7-8 years to get his first doctorate.

By the time the niblings are 12, the Stan twins are 34, Sherm's 42.

Stan's spotlight as an athlete is waning and he's mostly helping run Fidds' family business, he's practically acting CEO in Fidds' place and is very comfortable with the pay he's getting. Stan wasn't really hardcore into sports anyway, he just took the opportunity because it presented itself to him and frankly he's okay with that. He starts drawing comics again as a hobby and with Fidds' help eventually becomes a comic-book artist part time since a businessman is his main gig post sports stardom. Much like some iconic artists and writers in DC and marvel, he ends up joining them when people like the series he puts out and the more "retro" artstyle.

Ford is making innovations left and right in the realm of genetics and biotechnology ever since graduating at 30 and he's got Fidds and Bill to help him with the more techy parts of his work. Ford hasn't stopped studying entirely though and honestly collects honorary PhDs to keep himself well rounded, not to mention he consistently attends seminars or science conferences to keep on top of the newest discoveries or updates to what's going on in the world. It wasn't his dream or intention of becoming one of the "greats" that go down in history but he really might at his pace, it's not something he thinks or cares about though.

You could argue that their life is practically being fast-tracked here but honestly, I think the pace fits them. It's a lot less chaotic compared to canon but considering how driven these two are, I think it's a pretty comfortable pace.

By the way, despite the busy life and all that- Ford tries his best to go to all of Stan's games live even when Shermie or Caryn miss it, despite the fact he doesn't really know anything that's going on just which team his brother's playing and if he's winning. Similarly, when Ford is called to give conferences to explain his findings or research Stan is more than happy to fly out to where he is and sit in just to give his support despite not knowing a damn or understanding whatever the hell his brother is talking about LOL

They're still very close considering that they didn't ever have a fight that tore them apart, they respected each other's wishes and interests and just talked. They always talked. I suppose that's ultimately what makes the big difference.

[mindblowingscience]

Though one in two people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime, there's still much we don't know about this disease. But thanks to continued research efforts, we keep learning more about the biology of cancer. One of these recent discoveries could even transform our understanding of how cancers develop. But before we talk about the new discovery, let's first discuss the classical theory that attempts to explain why normal cells become cancer cells. This theory posits that DNA mutations are the primary cause of cancers. It's well known that ageing, as well as some lifestyle and environmental factors (such as smoking and UV radiation) cause random DNA mutations (also known as genetic alterations) in our cells. Most genetic alterations trigger cell death or have no consequence.

Continue Reading.

[darkmaga-returns]

Bill Gates is funding research to genetically engineer tomatoes to produce insecticides inside their tissues, specifically targeting the reproduction of whiteflies, a destructive agricultural pest. According to a study published last month in BMC Plant Biology, these genetically engineered (GE) tomatoes express proteins designed to infiltrate and disrupt whitefly eggs.

“The molecular tools for achieving both apoplastic and phloem-specific expression of insecticidal proteins are well developed,” the study explains, highlighting the advanced genetic strategies employed.

If commercialized, these “[t]ransgenic plants”—genetically engineered to include genes from other species—could introduce reproductive-disrupting insecticidal compounds into the human food chain.

How It Works

The study outlines the mechanism of these GE tomatoes:

Chitinase Production: The tomatoes are engineered to produce an enzyme derived from the fern Tectaria macrodonta that degrades chitin, a key component of insect eggshells. This enzyme is intended to kill the developing embryos inside the eggs.

Reproductive Hijacking: Using synthetic vitellogenin domains (SynVg), the proteins mimic natural reproductive pathways in whiteflies, ensuring the insecticides are delivered directly into the eggs.

Enhanced Uptake: Protein transduction domains (PTD) facilitate the transport of these insecticidal compounds from the insect’s gut to its reproductive system.

“Phloem-localized expression of mCherry in companion cells could be monitored… where the overall total expression is minimized by using tissue-specific promoters,” the study notes, emphasizing the effort to direct these proteins to specific parts of the plant.

[bpod-bpod]

Mutations at Heart

Filamin C protein is key for maintaining the internal structure of both heart and skeletal muscle cells. This study reveals mutations in the filamin C gene and their molecular effects underlying cardiomyopathies

Read the published research article here

Image from work by ES Klimenko and colleagues

Almazov National Medical Research Centre, Institute of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Saint-Petersburg, Russia

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Cytoskeleton, September 2024

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[covenawhite66]

Not long ago, scientists referred to noncoding stretches of DNA as "junk DNA". However, scientists have learned that noncoding stretches of DNA play a critical role in controlling the expression of other genes, often while residing at large distance from the genes, and that mutating, silencing or rewiring these enhancers can cause disease.

By mapping 3D interactions, we better understanding of what controls gene expression and how genes can coordinately change their levels during the transition between different cell fates.

DNA is what controls Gene expression in cells, stored in cell nucleus. DNA and environmental factors determine how your body works.

Non-coding regulatory elements through which transcriptional regulators enact these fates remain understudied.

At a genome-wide scale, enhancer activity and 3D connectivity in embryo-derived stem cell lines that represent each of the early developmental fates.

We observe extensive enhancer remodeling and fine-scale 3D chromatin rewiring among the three lineages, which strongly associate with transcriptional changes, a

[hellsite-proteins]

I LOVE THIS BLOG… would you be able to explain the stuff you’re doing to someone who knows nothing about proteins? all I can remember is something to do with dna ..?

of course! ill do my best to give an entry level crash course here, but if any of this is unclear please leave a comment or send an ask so i can better explain.

DISCLAIMER: all of this has been simplified, and because biology is messy, there are exceptions to pretty much everything i've said. the point is not to give a perfect explanation, but rather a general understanding

the central dogma of molecular biology is pretty much our version of "the mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell", and since you've alluded to it already, i'll start there. it states that genetic information goes from DNA to RNA to proteins. inside of almost any cell is DNA, which codes for all of the genetic information allowing the cell to function. for our purposes right now, just think of DNA as an instruction manual. when a protein is going to be made, the part of the DNA sequence encoding it is copied over to make a RNA sequence.

RNA is structurally similar to DNA, but while DNA is usually found as a double helix (with two complementary strands), RNA is more often single stranded. it is less stable than DNA, so it does not work as well for long term information storage, but is smaller and can cary out numerous crucial functions.

prokaryotes are things like bacteria, and are distinct from eukaryotes (which includes us) because they lack a nucleus. this means that their DNA is loose inside their cell, rather than sectioned away. in prokaryotes, transcription (which copies information from DNA -> RNA) and translation (which is the process of going from RNA -> proteins) can happen at the same time, while in eukaryotes these processes are separated, as DNA is too large to leave the nucleus. messenger RNA (mRNA) is the specific type of RNA used to code for proteins in all cells. inside a eukaryotic cell, mRNA must be processed to increase its stability and allow it to exit the nucleus.

now, getting to the part about proteins! proteins are made through a process called translation, which translates the information stored using a sequence of nucleic acids on RNA to a string of amino acids known as a protein. each set of three nucleic acids, which on mRNA can be A, U, C or G, makes up the codon for one amino acid. the code is referred to as 'degenerate', since there is a lot of redundancy built in and so some information is lost along the way. there are more possible codons than there are amino acids, and so there is a lot of overlap with several codons coding for the same amino acid.

translation is accomplished using organelles known as ribosomes. these bind to the relevant RNA sequence and help join together the amino acids that are encoded by their sequence, forming peptide bonds. this is done using another specialized type of RNA called a transfer RNA (tRNA), which sticks temporarily to the three-letter codon on the mRNA and carries the corresponding amino acid to the ribosome so that it can be joined with the others in the sequence. all proteins start with the same codon (AUG), and subsequent amino acids are added one at a time. RNA and proteins both have directionality, which means that the two different ends of these molecules are not the same, and the direction you read the sequence in matters.

as a protein is assembled, the N terminal end is put together first, and so this part exits the ribosome while the rest is still being built. at this point, it comes in contact with the liquid inside the cell, and starts to bend itself into different shapes in order to make the most thermodynamically stable structure. this happens spontaneously, and is an effort to minimize the free energy of the protein and the surrounding water molecules. basically, everything wants to be in a state that requires as little energy as possible, and will fold itself to get there. think of this as a similar process to getting home after a long day, and trying to make yourself comfortable as fast as possible. protein folding is the equivalent to you taking off your jeans and lying down on your couch.

the thing is, proteins are complicated, and they need to fold quickly, because the inside of a cell is crowded and chaotic. the way they fold is influenced by several different factors, including how fast translation takes place and whether anything else is nearby to help them fold correctly. proteins do countless different highly specific things in any given cell, and their ability to function is based entirely around their structure. just like how you probably have numerous different tools in your home made of plastic, but each one is a different shape and therefore does something unique. if someone came along and melted your plastic cups until they were completely deformed, they wouldn't be of much use.

the primary structure of a protein is its amino acid sequence, and the secondary structure is made by interactions between nearby backbone atoms, but the tertiary structure is the main thing you'll see looking at any real protein structure. it is the combination of interactions between all the atoms within one amino acid chain. if this gets damaged (which can happen with things like heat and strong chemicals), the protein is said to be denatured. some proteins also have a quaternary structure, which is formed as different folded chains of amino acids each making up one subunit assemble together to make a bigger, more complicated protein.

whether they folded wrong from the start (like your plastic cup getting made with a hole in the bottom at the factory) or they started off fine but then got broken (like your plastic cup melting after you leave it on the hot stove), misfolded proteins are the wrong shape and therefore cannot perform their function correctly. these can do a lot of damage in an organism, and are generally a waste of resources to keep around, so they get destroyed and their parts are recycled.

hope this helps!

letter sequence in this ask matching protein-coding amino acids:

ILVETHISLGwldyealeteplainthestffyredingtsmenewhknwsnthingatprteinsallIcanrememerissmethingtdwithdna

protein guy analysis:

this protein is strange, terrible and filled with holes! just like many of the other structures, the myriad of loops want nothing to do with each other, and everything is all over the place. this whole structure is disordered and likely wiggling around trying to find something else to stick to and mess with. just a toxic trainwreck that should never have existed.

predicted protein structure:

[the-demigod-project]

Demigods & Their Legacy.

Demigod Reproduction: The Complex Dance of Apex DNA

While Demigods are extraordinary beings that surpass the physical and mental limitations of ordinary humans, their ability to reproduce is fraught with biological challenges. The very same qualities that make them powerful also create insurmountable barriers to natural reproduction, making the continuation of their lineage an improbable, almost impossible feat.

Why Demigods Cannot Reproduce with Humans:

The DNA of Demigods has been fundamentally altered, either through alien DNA infusion or advanced genetic engineering. This advanced DNA is incompatible with the relatively simple genetic structure of ordinary humans. Key factors contributing to this incompatibility include:

• Genetic Complexity: The DNA of Demigods is exponentially more complex than human DNA. Ordinary human genomes cannot "read" or process the foreign code of Demigod DNA, resulting in developmental failure during fertilization. The human egg or sperm is simply incapable of merging with the superior genetic material, as it lacks the mechanisms needed to accommodate such advanced biology.

• Immune Rejection: The human body instinctively treats the alien-Demigod DNA as a threat, triggering a rejection response. This rejection occurs at the molecular level, preventing successful conception or causing early developmental failure.

• Physiological Imbalances: Even if fertilization occurs, the immense biological differences would make the pregnancy unsustainable. The hybrid zygote would require far more energy and resources to develop than the human body can provide, leading to fatal complications for both the mother and the offspring.For these reasons, reproduction between Demigods and humans is not feasible, effectively isolating Demigods as a separate, genetically unique species.

Demigod-to-Demigod Reproduction: The Battle of Apex DNA

While reproduction between Demigods is theoretically possible, it is an equally challenging and rare phenomenon due to the advanced and highly competitive nature of their DNA.

• DNA Fighting for Dominance: When a male and female Demigod attempt to conceive, their DNA does not merge harmoniously. Instead, it competes. This "genetic war" occurs because both parental DNA strands are apex-level and refuse to yield dominance. Rather than working together to create a balanced genome for the offspring, the two DNA strands aggressively break down each other in an attempt to overwrite the other.

• Miscarriage and Cellular Breakdown: In most cases, the competitive nature of the DNA results in catastrophic failure. The zygote collapses during the early stages of cell division, leading to a miscarriage. The female's body often detects the instability of the embryo and terminates the pregnancy as a protective mechanism.

• High Energy Costs: Even if an embryo survives the initial stages of genetic competition, the strain on the mother’s body is immense. The developing fetus, containing apex DNA, would demand far more energy and nutrients than the mother could reasonably provide, leading to life-threatening complications. This immense toll discourages many Demigods from even attempting to reproduce.

• Low Success Rates: Across recorded cases, the success rate of Demigod-to-Demigod reproduction is estimated to be less than 1%. For every successful birth, countless others end in failure, making the process both emotionally and physically taxing for the parents.

The Rare Offspring of Demigods:

On the rare occasions when a Demigod couple does successfully reproduce, the resulting child is a being of extraordinary potential. These "second-generation Demigods" often display enhanced versions of their parents’ abilities, as their DNA has been selectively "refined" through the grueling reproductive process.

• Unpredictable Powers: Second-generation Demigods may inherit traits from both parents, but the powers they manifest are often unpredictable. The chaotic merging of apex DNA can create entirely new abilities or amplify existing ones to unimaginable levels.

• Biological Fragility: Despite their immense potential, second-generation Demigods are often biologically fragile during infancy. Their bodies require constant monitoring and care to ensure they survive the developmental process.

• Symbol of Hope or Danger: Due to their rarity, second-generation Demigods are often viewed as symbols of hope or the next step in the evolution of their kind. However, their unpredictability also makes them a potential threat, as they may possess powers beyond even the understanding of their parents or creators.

Unfortunately no known Second-Gen Demigod has made it past the infancy stage after birth. As such many have given up on Second-Gen Demigods.

Ethical and Practical Concerns:

The difficulties of Demigod reproduction are not only biological but also sociopolitical. Governments and corporations view Demigods as weapons, and the thought of them creating new, potentially uncontrollable beings raises serious ethical questions.

• Government Control: The two Empires of the world impose strict regulations on Demigods, preventing them from forming relationships or reproducing without oversight. These policies are designed to maintain control over the Demigod population (Of which only 43 exist world wide(U.S. is not included)) and prevent the emergence of rogue offspring.

• Moral Dilemmas: For Demigods themselves, the decision to reproduce is fraught with moral and emotional dilemmas. Knowing the likelihood of failure and the potential suffering involved, many choose to forgo reproduction altogether.

• Alternative Methods: Scientists have attempted to circumvent the challenges of natural reproduction by using artificial methods, such as cloning or gene-splicing, to create new Demigods. While these methods have seen some success, they raise even more ethical concerns about the commodification of life and the boundaries of science.

Conclusion:

The reproduction of Demigods represents the ultimate paradox: they are beings of immense power and potential, yet their biology often prevents them from passing on their legacy. This limitation isolates them further from humanity, reinforcing their status as weapons and tools rather than living beings with a future of their own. The rare success of Demigod reproduction remains a testament to the resilience of life, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the cost of power and the fragility of existence, even for those who seem invincible.