Sociability genes found in some spiders
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Texas Tech University, Cornell University and Australian National University has found similar genes between species of spiders that have some degree of sociability. They have published their p.....»»
Punk hairstyles and pirouettes: There"s more to spiders than people think
Spider scientists are an optimistic crowd. Perhaps it's just that we see things from a different angle to arachnophobes. If you don't believe me, look up Theridion grallator. Researchers from my field call this Hawaiian species the happy-face spider.....»»
3D models reveal, at the atomic scale, how FoxH1 binds to specific points in the genome
Transcription factors are proteins that interact with DNA to regulate the function of some genes. Generally, a single transcription factor binds to several regions in the genome as it orchestrates complex cellular responses, which require the activat.....»»
Researchers reassemble plasmid to deliver genes across diverse environmental microbiomes
Microbiome engineering is at the forefront of improving human health and agricultural productivity. It aims to enhance ecosystem function by altering microbe composition. This can be accomplished through a "bottom-up" approach involving the introduct.....»»
Atopic dermatitis in dogs linked to certain parts of the genome
Using new gene mapping methods, researchers have found connections between atopic dermatitis (eczema) in dogs and several regions of the genome. Some of the genes identified coincide with genes linked to similar problems in humans. The filaggrin gene.....»»
Twins study shows exercise altering how genes behave
One might expect identical twins to have the same health outcomes......»»
How the selfish genes of yeast succeed
New findings from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research uncover critical insights about how a dangerous selfish gene—considered to be a parasitic portion of DNA—functions and survives. Understanding this dynamic is a valuable resource for th.....»»
A journey across generations: Inheritance of the plant microbiome via seed
What defines us and other living organisms more strongly, genes or the environment? Only recently, researchers were able to prove experimentally that even microorganisms can be inherited from one plant generation to the next via the seed......»»
How to edit the genes of nature"s master manipulators
CRISPR, the Nobel Prize-winning gene editing technology, is poised to have a profound impact on the fields of microbiology and medicine yet again......»»
Tissue growth is influenced by whether local environment is firm or fluid
We all know that genes influence how cells and tissues grow and develop, but new research has shed light on the importance of another factor: whether the environment around them is firm like Jell-O or fluid like honey......»»
Finding genes to help fruit adapt to droughts
As climate change is expected to lead to more frequent periods of drought, researchers are increasingly working to make discoveries that can help plants adapt to prolonged water stress......»»
Male orb-weaving spiders fight less in female-dominated colonies, finds study of spider cooperation
Birds do it. Bees do it. Even spiders in their webs do it: cooperate for more peaceful colonies......»»
Increasing crop yields by breeding plants to cooperate
A simple breeding experiment, combined with genetic analysis, can rapidly uncover genes that promote cooperation and higher yields of plant populations, according to a new study published November 29 in the open access journal PLOS Biology, by Samuel.....»»
Sociability genes found in some spiders
A team of researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, Texas Tech University, Cornell University and Australian National University has found similar genes between species of spiders that have some degree of sociability. They have published their p.....»»
New CRISPR-based tool inserts large DNA sequences at desired sites in cells
Building on the CRISPR gene-editing system, MIT researchers have designed a new tool that can snip out faulty genes and replace them with new ones, in a safer and more efficient way......»»
"Primordial super-enhancers" provide early snapshot of the mechanisms that allowed for multicellularity
New research at the University of Chicago has found that the same machinery used by mammalian cells to drive cellular differentiation also plays a critical role in activating genes in yeast in response to environmental stress......»»
Genes and languages aren"t always found together, says new study
More than 7,000 languages are spoken in the world. This linguistic diversity is passed on from one generation to the next, similarly to biological traits. But have language and genes evolved in parallel over the past few thousand years, as Charles Da.....»»
Revealing biochemical "rings of power"
Benzobactins are bacterial natural products that have special biological activity due to a compound consisting of two ring structures. The bacterial genes responsible for the formation of the compound were previously unclear. Now, scientists at the M.....»»
Insects with radical metamorphosis found to have two embryo-like stages
Skoltech researchers have shown genes involved in embryonic development to be at work in pupation—the drastic transformation that butterflies and some other insects undergo as their larvae mature. The discovery furthers our understanding of the pup.....»»
New study finds that CRISPR/Cas9 leads to unexpected genomic changes
The widely used gene scissor (CRISPR/Cas) can modify the genetic content in cells to study the molecular roles of genes and has gained great clinical relevance in gene therapy to treat genetic diseases. A new study performed by Claudia Kutter's resea.....»»
Scientists unveil the functional landscape of essential genes
A team of scientists at Whitehead Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard have systematically evaluated the functions of more than 5,000 essential human genes using a novel, pooled, imaged-based screening method. Their analysis harnesses.....»»