Bliss Broussard, John Doucet, Breanna Gros, Ethan Ordoyne

In its role as the genetic material of all cellular organisms, DNA has four primary functions: storage, replication, transcription, and repair. Beyond these well-established roles, a novel function has been identified in which certain immune cells in the bloodstream, such as neutrophils, extrude DNA into the extracellular environment through a process called netosis. This extruded material, composed of DNA organized as web-like chromatin complexed with antimicrobial proteins, forms structures known as NETs (Neutrophil Extracellular Traps), which capture and neutralize pathogenic microbes. Interestingly, the extrusion of NETs to ensnare microbial prey draws a vivid analogy to traditional fishing practices along the Louisiana coast, where villagers and fishermen in places like Barataria Bay and Golden Meadow use string nets for trawling, cast netting, seining, and paupière fishing, exemplifying both subsistence and commercial methods for catching shrimp, fish, and other seafood. The striking parallels between the intricate netting strategies employed by neutrophils and fisherman to trap their prey are explored.