ScienceDaily: Developmental Biology News

Cells play 'tag' to determine direction of movement

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 09:24:24 EDT

Researchers have found that cells in our bodies, when moving collectively, carry out something similar to a game of 'tag' to coordinate their movement in a particular direction.

Scientists identify neurons that control feeding behavior in Drosophila

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:56:56 EDT

Scientists have developed a novel transgenic system which allows them to remotely activate individual brain cells in the model organism Drosophila using ambient temperature. This powerful new tool for identifying and characterizing neural circuitry has lead to the identification of a pair of neurons-– now called Fdg neurons-- in the fruit fly that decide when to eat and initiate the subsequent feeding action.

New findings regarding DNA damage checkpoint mechanism in oxidative stress

Fri, 14 Jun 2013 12:56:56 EDT

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown surveillance mechanism, known as a DNA damage checkpoint, used by cells to monitor oxidatively damaged DNA. DNA repair takes place approximately 10,000 times per cell, per day, through processes that are still only partially understood because of their complexity, speed, and the difficulty of studying complex interactions within living cells.

Easy and effective therapy to restore sight: Engineered virus will improve gene therapy for blinding eye diseases

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:48:48 EDT

Gene therapy using adeno-associated virus has successfully restored sight to people with a rare inherited retinal degeneration, but current therapy requires injecting the virus directly into the retina. Researchers have now caused AAV to evolve so that it is able to penetrate the retina, allowing doctors to inject the virus and its gene load into the vitreous to reach all cells of the retina. This broadens AAV's potential application to more common types of vision loss.

How to stop a trunk and start a tail? The leg has the key

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:42:42 EDT

A new study reveals the mechanisms behind trunk to tail transition in vertebrates.

Fractal patterns spontaneously emerge during bacterial cell growth

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:41:41 EDT

Despite bacterial colonies always forming circular shapes as they grow, their cells form internal divisions which are highly asymmetrical and branched. These fractal (self-similar) patterns are due to the physical forces and local instabilities that are a natural part of bacterial cell growth, a new study reveals. The research has important implications for the emerging field of synthetic biology.

Blueprint for blood vessel fusion discovered

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:40:40 EDT

The fusion of blood vessels during the formation of the vascular system follows a uniform process. In this process, the blood vessels involved go through different phases of a common choreography, in which the splitting and the rearrangement of endothelial cells play a critical role. Researchers have now been able to demonstrate this in a living organism, the zebrafish.

Turning human spare parts into exports: Tissue engineering can become a new global export item, expert says

Tue, 11 Jun 2013 08:38:38 EDT

A Finnish researcher believes that tissue engineering can become a new global export item. With tissue engineering, it is possible to produce tailored, living human spare parts. If the method can be rolled out on a larger scale, it may become the third alternative form of treatment alongside the traditional forms, surgery and pharmacotherapy.

From hot springs to HIV, same protein complexes are hijacked to promote viruses

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:26:26 EDT

Biologists have discovered a striking connection between viruses such as HIV and Ebola and viruses that infect organisms called archaea that grow in volcanic hot springs. Despite the huge difference in environments and a 2 billion year evolutionary time span between archaea and humans, the viruses hijack the same set of proteins to break out of infected cells.

How cells get a skeleton

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:29:29 EDT

Stress generated by nano-motors within animal cells can lead to the creation of a condensed layer of filaments beneath the outer cell membrane. The mechanism responsible for generating part of the skeletal support for the membrane in animal cells is not yet clearly understood.

How Archaea might find their food: Sensor protein characterized

Mon, 10 Jun 2013 09:50:50 EDT

Delicious dimethyl sulphide. The microorganism Methanosarcina acetivorans lives off everything it can metabolize into methane. How it finds its sources of energy, is not yet clear. Scientists have now identified a protein that might act as a "food sensor."

Common genetic disease linked to father's age

Fri, 07 Jun 2013 13:10:10 EDT

Scientists have unlocked the mystery of why new cases of the genetic disease Noonan syndrome are so common; a mutation that causes the disease disproportionately increases a normal father's production of sperm carrying the disease trait.

The swing of architect genes

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:47:47 EDT

Architect genes are responsible for organizing structures of the body during embryonic development. Some of them, namely the Hox genes, are involved in the formation of forelimbs. They are activated in two successive waves, enabling the formation of the arm, then the hand. Scientists are uncovering the workings of this complex process.

How young genes gain a toehold on becoming indispensable

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 15:44:44 EDT

Scientists have, for the first time, mapped a young gene’s short, dramatic evolutionary journey to becoming essential, or indispensable. The researchers detail one gene’s rapid switch to a new and essential function in the fruit fly, challenging the long-held belief that only ancient genes are important.

Molecular Velcro for chromosome stability

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:08:08 EDT

Scientists have functionally dissected the molecular processes that ensure the stability of chromosomes. They show how three proteins interact on the repetitive sequences at the chromosomal ends (the telomeres) to form a powerful protein scaffold required for telomere homeostasis.

How birds lost their penises: Programmed cell death

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 14:06:06 EDT

In animals that reproduce by internal fertilization, as humans do, you'd think a penis would be an organ you couldn't really do without, evolutionarily speaking. Surprisingly, though, most birds do exactly that, and now researchers have figured out where, developmentally speaking, birds' penises have gone.

Wolbachia bacteria evolved to infect stem cell niches through successive generations of their hosts

Thu, 06 Jun 2013 11:00:00 EDT

A new study provides evidence that Wolbachia target the ovarian stem cell niches of its hosts -- a strategy previously overlooked to explain how Wolbachia thrive in nature.

Scientists map the wiring of the biological clock

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 13:01:01 EDT

Biologists have discovered a crucial part of the biological clock: the wiring that sets its accuracy to within a few minutes out of the 1440 minutes per day. This wiring uses the neurotransmitter, GABA, to connect the individual cells of the biological clock in a fast network that changes strength with time of day.

New gene that is essential for nuclear reprogramming

Wed, 05 Jun 2013 11:15:15 EDT

Researchers are still fascinated by the idea of reprogramming the cells of any tissue, turning them into cells with the capacity to differentiate into cells of a completely different type -- pluripotent cells -- and they are still striving to understand how it happens. Now, researchers in Spain discovered a new gene called TRF1 that is essential for nuclear reprogramming.

The fight against genome parasites

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:45:45 EDT

In the gonads of animals, genome parasites such as transposons pose a serious threat to evolutionary fitness. With their ability to bounce around in the genome, they often cause dangerous mutations. To protect genomic integrity, animals evolved a sophisticated mechanism – the so called piRNA pathway – to silence the deleterious transposons. Not much is known about the molecular processes and the involved factors that constitute the piRNA pathway. Researchers have now identified about 50 genes, that play important roles in the piRNA pathway of the fruitfly Drosophila melanogaster.

Stopping the worm from turning

Tue, 04 Jun 2013 09:45:45 EDT

Almost one in six people worldwide are infected by parasitic worms, while parasitic infections of livestock cause economic losses of billions of Euro per year. Resistance to the few drugs available to treat infections is increasing and there is an urgent need to identify additional strategies to control parasitic diseases. A new study describes a rational approach to identifying proteins that might be involved in the larval development of a particular worm that infects pigs.

New method of mass-producing high-quality DNA molecules

Sun, 02 Jun 2013 14:44:44 EDT

A new method of manufacturing short, single-stranded DNA molecules can solve many of the problems associated with current production methods. The new method can be of value to both DNA nanotechnology and the development of drugs consisting of DNA fragments.

Surges in latent infections: Mathematical analysis of viral blips

Fri, 31 May 2013 15:13:13 EDT

Recurrent infection is a common feature of persistent viral diseases. It includes episodes of high viral production interspersed by periods of relative quiescence. These quiescent or silent stages are hard to study with experimental models. Mathematical analysis can help fill in the gaps.

Interleukin-22 protects against post-influenza bacterial superinfection

Thu, 30 May 2013 11:13:13 EDT

Researchers have shown in a mouse model that interleukin-22 protects against bacterial superinfections that can arise following influenza.

How do plants grow toward the light? Scientists explain mechanism behind phototropism

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:59:59 EDT

Plants have developed a number of strategies to capture the maximum amount of sunlight through their leaves. As we know from looking at plants on a windowsill, they grow toward the sunlight to be able to generate energy by photosynthesis. Now scientists have provided definitive insights into the driving force behind this movement -- the plant hormone auxin.

New insights into protein disposal

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:59:59 EDT

Cells have a sophisticated system to control and dispose of defective, superfluous proteins and thus to prevent damage to the body. Researchers have discovered a new function of an enzyme that is involved in this vital process.

New 1-step process for designer bacteria

Tue, 28 May 2013 10:02:02 EDT

A simpler and faster way of producing designer bacteria used in biotechnology processes has been developed.

Stem cell injections improve spinal injuries in rats

Mon, 27 May 2013 23:18:18 EDT

Scientists report that a single injection of human neural stem cells produced neuronal regeneration and improvement of function and mobility in rats impaired by an acute spinal cord injury.

Sugar polymer on cell surface of multiple pathogens could be key to developing broad-spectrum vaccine

Mon, 27 May 2013 15:36:36 EDT

Researchers have discovered a sugar polymer that is common on the cell surface of several pathogens. This common sugar molecule makes it a promising target for the development of a broad-spectrum vaccine that can protect against numerous deadly microbes expressing this sugar on their cell surface.

Research aims for insecticide that targets malaria mosquitoes

Fri, 24 May 2013 10:35:35 EDT

A team of scientists is working toward an insecticide that would target malaria-carrying mosquitoes but do no harm to other organisms.

Advanced biological computer developed

Thu, 23 May 2013 18:03:03 EDT

Using only biomolecules, scientists have developed and constructed an advanced biological transducer, a computing machine capable of manipulating genetic codes, and using the output as new input for subsequent computations.

Biophysicists measure mechanism that determines fate of living cells

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:37:37 EDT

For the first time, biophysicists have measured the molecular force required to mechanically transmit function-regulating signals within a cell. A new laboratory method, named the tension gauge tether approach, has made it possible to detect and measure the mechanics of the single-molecule interaction by which human cell receptors are activated.

New target to boost plant resistance to insects and pathogens identified

Thu, 23 May 2013 14:33:33 EDT

Plants have evolved unique and sophisticated immune systems to defend themselves against insects and pathogens. Plant hormones called jasmonates play an important role in this defense, but jasmonates have been found to also be important for plant growth. Now, researchers have discovered a gene in the jasmonate pathway that controls plant defenses but does not play a detectable role in plant development. These findings could be applied to improve crop resistance in agriculture.

Biochemistry: Unspooling DNA from nucleosomal disks

Thu, 23 May 2013 08:30:30 EDT

The tight wrapping of genomic DNA around nucleosomes in the cell nucleus makes it unavailable for gene expression. This study describes a mechanism that allows chromosomal DNA to be locally displaced from nucleosomes for transcription.

Scientists develop worm EEG to test the effects of drugs

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:01:01 EDT

Scientists have developed a device which records the brain activity of worms to help test the effects of drugs. NeuroChip is a microfluidic electrophysiological device, which can trap the microscopic worm Caenorhadbitis elegans and record the activity of discrete neural circuits in its 'brain' - a worm equivalent of the EEG.

Fast new, one-step genetic engineering technology

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:12:12 EDT

A new, streamlined approach to genetic engineering drastically reduces the time and effort needed to insert new genes into bacteria, the workhorses of biotechnology, scientists are reporting. The method paves the way for more rapid development of designer microbes for drug development, environmental cleanup and other activities.

DNA damage: The dark side of respiration

Wed, 22 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT

Adventitious changes in cellular DNA can endanger the whole organism, as they may lead to life-threatening illnesses like cancer. Researchers now report how byproducts of respiration cause mispairing of subunits in the double helix.

Minus environment, patterns still emerge: Computational study tracks E. coli cells' regulatory mechanisms

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:41:41 EDT

Random mutations and genetic drift, rather than design principles, may explain the emergence of regulatory network properties in E. coli.

Single-cell transfection tool enables added control for biological studies

Tue, 21 May 2013 13:22:22 EDT

Researchers have developed a novel tool for single-cell transfection, in which they deliver molecules into targeted cells through temporary nanopores in the cell membrane created by a localized electric field.

Small but speedy: Short plants live in the evolutionary fast lane

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:14:14 EDT

Biologists have known for a long time that some creatures evolve more quickly than others. Exactly why isn't well understood, particularly for plants. But it may be that height plays a role. Shorter plants have faster-changing genomes.

Engineered microbes grow in the dark

Sun, 19 May 2013 19:11:11 EDT

Scientists have engineered a strain of photosynthetic cyanobacteria to grow without the need for light.

Genome sequence of Tibetan antelope sheds new light on high-altitude adaptation

Fri, 17 May 2013 10:27:27 EDT

How can the Tibetan antelope live at elevations of 4,000-5,000m on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau? Investigators now provide evidence of genetic factors that may be associated with the species' adaption to harsh highland environments.

X-ray tomography of living frog embryo

Thu, 16 May 2013 10:52:52 EDT

Classical X-ray radiographs provide information about internal, absorptive structures of organisms such as bones. Alternatively, X-rays can also image soft tissues throughout early embryonic development of vertebrates. Related to this, a new X-ray method allowed researchers to view three dimensional reconstructions showing developing embryos of the African clawed frog.

Developmental genetics of space and time

Wed, 15 May 2013 16:39:39 EDT

Scientists have conducted a study that reveals important and useful insights into how and why developmental genes often take inputs from two independent “morphogen concentration gradients.”

Squishy hydrogels may be the ticket for studying biological effects of nanoparticles

Wed, 15 May 2013 12:51:51 EDT

A class of water-loving, jelly-like materials with uses ranges ranging from the mundane, such as superabsorbent diaper liners, to the sophisticated, such as soft contact lenses, could be tapped for a new line of serious work: testing the biological effects of nanoparticles, according to scientists.

Untangling the tree of life

Wed, 15 May 2013 09:48:48 EDT

Phylogeneticists examined the reasons why large-scale tree-of-life studies are producing contradictory results and have proposed a suite of novel techniques to resolve the conflicts.

Cells must use their brakes moderately for effective speed control

Wed, 15 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT

How cells regulate their own function by “accelerating and braking” is important basic knowledge when new intelligent medicines are being developed, or when plant cells are tweaked to produce more bioenergy. Scientists now show a model of how cells’ regulatory systems work.

Study IDs key protein for cell death

Tue, 14 May 2013 19:06:06 EDT

Findings may offer a new way to kill cancer cells by forcing them into an alternative programmed-death pathway.

Mining the botulinum genome

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:27:27 EDT

Scientists have been mining the genome of C. botulinum to uncover new information about the toxin genes that produce the potent toxin behind botulism.

Alligator stem cell study gives clues to tooth regeneration

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:14:14 EDT

Alligators may help scientists learn how to stimulate tooth regeneration in people, according to new research. For the first time, a global team of researchers has uncovered unique cellular and molecular mechanisms behind tooth renewal in American alligators.

Water governs cell movement: Aquaporins play key role, new research finds

Tue, 14 May 2013 08:53:53 EDT

Water gives life. Researchers now show how the cells in our bodies are driven mainly by water power -- a discovery that in the long run opens the way for a new strategy in cancer therapy.

Serotonin mediates exercise-induced generation of new neurons

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:09:09 EDT

Mice that exercise in running wheels exhibit increased neurogenesis in the brain. Crucial to this process is serotonin signaling. Surprisingly, mice lacking brain serotonin due to a genetic mutation exhibited normal baseline neurogenesis. However, in these serotonin-deficient mice, activity-induced proliferation was impaired, and wheel running did not induce increased generation of new neurons.

Not all cytokine-producing cells start out the same way

Mon, 13 May 2013 09:57:57 EDT

Not all IL17-producing cells are the same, and the rules regarding how particular cell types are instructed to produce this important mediator differ. Understanding the rules that govern IL17 cell development and function will suggest ways to specifically modulate one population or the other.

Family trees for yeast cells

Mon, 13 May 2013 08:30:30 EDT

Researchers have developed a revolutionary method to analyze the genomes of yeast families.

Carnivorous plant throws out 'junk' DNA

Sun, 12 May 2013 14:05:05 EDT

The newly sequenced genome of the carnivorous bladderwort contradicts the notion that vast quantities of noncoding 'junk' DNA are crucial for complex life.

Mapping the embryonic epigenome: How genes are turned on and off during early human development

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:36:36 EDT

A large, multi-institutional research team has published a sweeping analysis of how genes are turned on and off to direct early human development.

Research reveals cancer-suppressing protein 'multitasks'

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:35:35 EDT

The understanding of how a powerful protein called p53 protects against cancer development has been upended by a new discovery.

Studies generate comprehensive list of genes required by innate system to defend sex cells

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:35:35 EDT

Investigators have published studies revealing many previously unknown components of an innate system that defends sex cells -- the carriers of inheritance across generations -- from the ravages of transposable genetic elements.

Genes define the interaction of social amoeba and bacteria

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:34:34 EDT

Researchers have used the model of the social amoeba -- Dictyostelium discoideum -- to identify the genetic controls on how the amoeba differentiate the different bacteria and respond to achieve their goal of destruction.

Cannibal tadpoles key to understanding digestive evolution

Wed, 08 May 2013 13:18:18 EDT

A carnivorous, cannibalistic tadpole may play a role in understanding the evolution and development of digestive organs, according to new research.