Valentine’s Day is a celebration of connection, commitment, love, and the dream of starting a family. However, sometimes human relationships need a little help from advances in science. In vitro fertilization (IVF), one of the most important assisted reproductive technologies, has helped millions of people start families. Yet behind every successful embryo transfer lies a deeper, invisible layer of biology - molecular precision.

For many years now, the Genetics Workshops have brought hands-on science to Estonian high school students, offering a rare and valuable opportunity: the chance to conduct real genetic experiments in a university lab — and a glimpse into the fascinating world of genetics.

In research, every day different methods are used to discover something new, whether it is a new disease, medicine, or something else. Often these methods were developed long ago and are confirmed to be doing what they are supposed to do. However, as technology develops so do new methods. This is exactly what Professor Steven Williams’ lab is doing at Smith College – developing new methods to be used in research and diagnostics.

Depression is a very complex disease, and it has many different aspects that affect it. Once we get to know more and more things about depression and its mechanisms, then in the end, we might discover new possible drugs or drug targets for treating depression.