To make mini-organs grow faster, give them a squeeze
Study finds that compressing cells, and crowding their contents, can coax them to grow and divide.
Oct. 13, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: genetics cancer biology research cells mechanical-engineering school-of-engineering biological-engineering
Neuroscientists discover a molecular mechanism that allows memories to form
Modifications to chromosomes in “engram” neurons control the encoding and retrieval of memories.
Oct. 5, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: dna genetics neuroscience memory research school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences picower-institute
Nanoparticles can turn off genes in bone marrow cells
Using these new particles, researchers could develop treatments for heart disease and other conditions.
Oct. 5, 2020 • ~8 min
Tags: genetics rna research school-of-engineering nanoscience-and-nanotechnology koch-institute institute-for-medical-engineering-and-science-imes chemical-engeering
New gene regulation model provides insight into brain development
A well-known protein family binds to many more RNA sequences than previously thought in order to help neurons grow.
Sept. 8, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: genetics neuroscience development biology data research school-of-science computer-modeling
Scientists discover new rules about “runaway” transcription
Findings related to bacterial gene expression overturn fundamental assumptions about basic biological pathways.
Sept. 2, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: dna physics genetics bacteria biology rna research school-of-science
Bringing RNA into genomics
ENCODE consortium identifies RNA sequences that are involved in regulating gene expression.
July 29, 2020 • ~7 min
Tags: genetics biology rna research school-of-science
HIV genome bends over backwards to help virus take over cells
Differently shaped RNA molecules allow HIV to express different genes from the same RNA sequence.
May 11, 2020 • ~9 min
Tags: medicine genetics hivaids biology rna disease viruses research computer-science-and-technology algorithms whitehead-institute
Historic migration patterns are written in Americans' DNA
Genetic, geographic, and demographic data from more than 30,000 Americans reveal more genetic diversity within ancestry groups than previously thought.
March 5, 2020 • ~4 min
Tags: dna genetics broad-institute research school-of-architecture-and-planning school-of-engineering urban-studies-and-planning electrical-engineering-computer-science-eecs
Genetic screen offers new drug targets for Huntington’s disease
Neuroscientists identify genes that modulate the disease’s toxic effects.
Jan. 30, 2020 • ~8 min
Tags: genetics crispr neuroscience broad-institute disease research drug-development school-of-science brain-and-cognitive-sciences national-institutes-of-health-nih picower-institute
Putting a finger on the switch of chronic parasite infection
Researchers find master regulator needed for Toxoplasma gondii parasite to chronically infect host; promising step toward infection treatment, prevention.
Jan. 21, 2020 • ~6 min
Tags: chemistry medicine genetics crispr biology disease research school-of-science whitehead-institute parasites
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