Gene editing technologies have revolutionized the field of molecular biology and genetics by providing powerful tools to precisely modify DNA sequences, study gene functions, correct genetic mutations, and engineer biological systems. Among the most widely used and transformative gene editing technologies is CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and its associated protein, Cas (CRISPR-associated … Read more
Developmental biology is a fascinating field that explores the processes governing the growth, differentiation, and organization of cells into complex multicellular organisms. From the moment of fertilization, when a sperm cell fuses with an egg cell, to the formation of fully functional organs and tissues, developmental biology seeks to unravel the intricate molecular, cellular, and … Read more
Adhesion GPCRs are a group of G protein-coupled receptors associated with many bodily functions and diseases in humans. Scientists at Leipzig University have discovered a new receptor—which they have named “mayo”—and found that it influences the development of the small intestine and heart function in fruit flies, and that these phenomena may also be relevant … Read more
A research team led by biochemist Professor Helge Ewers from Freie Universität Berlin has developed a new technique for the light-mediated release and investigation of proteins in live cells. The technique makes use of a laser pulse to control the release of tagged protein molecules within a cell, allowing for the molecules’ function to be … Read more
A widespread bacteria called Wolbachia and a virus that it carries can cause sterility in male insects by hijacking their sperm, preventing them from fertilizing eggs of females that do not have the same combination of bacteria and virus. A new study led by microbiome researchers at Penn State has uncovered how this microbial combination … Read more
It has long been known that there is a complex interplay between genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping behavior. Recently it has been found that genes governing behavior in the brain operate within flexible and contextually responsive regulatory networks. However, conventional genome-wide association studies (GWAS) often overlook this complexity, particularly in humans where controlling … Read more
The nervous system is a complex and intricate network that plays a crucial role in coordinating and regulating the functions of the human body. Comprising the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, the nervous system serves as the body’s command center, responsible for processing information, initiating responses, and maintaining homeostasis. Understanding the structure and function … Read more
For many of us, when we think of microbiomes, our first thoughts are probably about the beneficial microorganisms that live in our guts. But now, researchers from Japan and the US have discovered how the microbes living in fruit flies can enhance their reproduction. In a recently published study in Communications Biology, the research group … Read more
Exposure to persistent stressors can induce depression-like symptoms, even in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This is evidenced by a decrease in motivation, diminished courtship behavior, reduced interest in sweet nutrients, and a reluctance to traverse experimental gaps. However, a collaborative study by researchers from Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) in Germany and the BENFRA … Read more
Developmental biology has long acknowledged that a mother’s egg offers crucial nutrients for embryo development. However, the significance of nutrient storage location within the developing embryo remains a question. Michael Welte, a University of Rochester Biology Department professor, addresses this inquiry blending developmental biology with metabolism. The research, led by Marcus Kilwein, formerly a graduate … Read more
Cilia, those delicate lash-like extensions protruding from cell surfaces, serve as versatile sensors, detecting mechanical and chemical cues while participating in critical signaling pathways. Over the past decades, cilia’s significance has transformed from ambiguous to alarming, as it shifted from a mysterious organelle to a key player in various diseases. These conditions, termed ciliopathies, encompass … Read more
A groundbreaking discovery has unveiled a novel connection between fungi-eating orchids and fruit flies that feed on fungi. For the first time, researchers have observed orchids offering their flowers to these flies as part of a pollination process. This fascinating interaction signifies a potential shift towards a mutually beneficial relationship. Orchids are notorious for deceiving … Read more
Unraveling the intricate process by which various brain cells emerge through distinct gene expressions holds the potential to deepen our comprehension of both healthy brain functions and disease-related abnormalities. Recently, a MIT study delved into this “molecular logic” within two types of neurons in Drosophila fruit flies. These seemingly alike cells were revealed to activate … Read more
Salt marshes serve as the habitat for small crustaceans known as amphipods, which usually blend in with their environment due to their gray-brown color and tendency to hide among vegetation. However, when infected by a parasitic worm called a trematode, these amphipods transform into a bright orange hue and no longer try to conceal themselves. … Read more
Scientists have achieved a groundbreaking feat by inducing virgin birth in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, a species that typically reproduces sexually. This ability can be inherited across generations, allowing the offspring to reproduce either sexually with males present or through virgin birth without male involvement. In most animals, reproduction is sexual, but virgin birth, … Read more
Parhyale hawaiensis, a tiny crustacean, has gained attention due to its remarkable attributes. Referred to as a “living Swiss army knife,” this species possesses numerous distinct appendages, each characterized by its size and shape, and each serving a specific function. These fascinating creatures, coupled with their easily observable growth conditions, make them an ideal model … Read more
A research team from Nagoya University in Japan has utilized artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the role of a protein called piezo in controlling the mating posture of male fruit flies. Previous studies on animal mating have been limited to behavioral observations, leaving gaps in our understanding of this crucial process. In fruit flies, maintaining … Read more
Scientists at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) have achieved a significant breakthrough by engineering an albino strain of the hummingbird bobtail squid, Euprymna berryi. This remarkable feat, published in Current Biology, has resulted in the creation of an almost transparent organism, providing researchers with unprecedented optical access to observe the nervous system of a living … Read more
A recent study conducted by researchers led by Christi Gendron at the University of Michigan has shed light on the connection between death perception and the acceleration of aging in fruit flies. Published in the open access journal PLOS Biology on June 13, their findings reveal that certain brain cells in flies, known as R2 … Read more
New findings from a study conducted by Whitehead Institute Member Yukiko Yamashita and postdoc Jonathan Nelson shed light on the safeguarding mechanism of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequences. These sequences, crucial components of various organisms’ genomes, are prone to shrinking over time, potentially leading to cell death if they diminish excessively. In the case of germ … Read more