A team of researchers from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory explains for the first time the operation of a mechanism in plants that controls developmental regulatory genes, including homeobox genes like BREVIPEDICELLUS and KNAT2. In plant stem cells, a polycomb gene-repressing protein complex called PRC2 is recruited to specific sites alo...
CSHL scientists discovered a new protein, RNF20, essential for MLL-rearranged leukemia amplification. Suppressing RNF20 expression decreased leukemia cell proliferation and extended mouse lifespan.
A team of plant geneticists successfully demonstrated that weakening the FEA2 gene can increase meristem size and lead to more rows and kernels in maize plants. This research has significant implications for increasing yields of essential food crops as the global population is projected to reach 8-9 billion by mid-century.
A recent study by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory researchers has identified a specific class of neurons in the central amygdala as crucial for encoding and recalling fear memories. The team used optogenetics to activate these neurons, which release neurotransmitters that enhance or inhibit synaptic connections, leading to fear responses.
Researchers at CSHL have discovered how Chd5 exerts its beneficial effects by binding to histone H3, preventing cancer initiation and promoting tumor suppression. This finding has important implications for treating diverse human cancers.
Dr. James Watson suggests that antioxidants in late-stage cancer cells can promote cancer progression, and that reducing antioxidant levels may be key to developing new anti-metastatic drugs. He calls for a faster timetable for researching this proposition.
The study reveals 94,000 to 96,000 genes, an abundance of gene fragments, and 132,000 SNPs, providing insights into bread wheat's evolution and future breeding strategies. The hexaploid genome has undergone rapid changes, including loss of gene family members during domestication.
A team led by Professor Z. Josh Huang has revealed the birth timing and embryonic origin of critical inhibitory brain cells called chandelier cells, tracing their specific paths into the cerebral cortex of mouse brains. This breakthrough sheds light on the genetic programming of brain development and the role of these cells in balancin...
A CSHL-led team has identified a novel gene, TERMINATING FLOWER (TMF), regulating the timing of flowering in plants. This discovery reveals a previously unknown pathway involved in the process, allowing plants to control flower production and increase agricultural yields.
Researchers use antisense technology to target cancer cell metabolic process, killing cancer cells by blocking production of pyruvate kinase splice-variant. The approach shows therapeutic promise in treating various types of cancer.
A team of neuroscientists proposes a new method to assemble the 'connectome' via genetic barcoding, which uses high-throughput DNA sequencing to probe neural connectivity at the resolution of single neurons. This approach promises to be much faster and cheaper than current methods.
Researchers sequenced microbial DNA in twins and found salivary microbiomes were not significantly more similar to identical twins as fraternal twins, suggesting genetic relatedness is less important than environment. The study also revealed that the salivary microbiome changes most during early adolescence.
Researchers discovered that EGFR inhibitors and synthetic compounds can reverse memory loss in fruit fly and mouse models of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests blocking EGFR signaling prevents memory loss by preventing beta-amyloid proteins from activating the receptor.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have discovered that the protein DOCK7 regulates the fate decision of radial glial cells, determining whether they proliferate or differentiate into neurons. DOCK7 interacts with TACC3 to control interkinetic nuclear migration, a mechanism essential for cortical development.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that small RNAs guide epigenetic modifications of DNA in plants, allowing for inherited traits and influencing cross-breeding practices. This finding has important implications for agriculture and crop selection.
The National Science Foundation has awarded funding to the Gramene project for a 5-year period, supporting the development of a Plant Reactome. This will increase the functionality of Gramene, which already provides valuable comparisons across and within sequenced plant genomes.
A team of neuroscientists discovered a signature of disease that may help explain the relationship between transposons and neurodegenerative disorders. They found that TDP-43 normally functions to silence or repress potentially harmful transposons, but when its function is compromised, these elements become overexpressed.
The study suggests that three-quarters of the human genome can be transcribed into RNA, leading to a redefinition of what defines a gene. This implies that many regions previously thought to be non-functional may have functional roles.
The ENCODE Project presents new genomic insights on gene regulation, including detailed annotations of the genome and analysis of long non-coding RNAs. The project sheds light on co-transcriptional splicing and the evolution of microRNAs, offering a comprehensive understanding of human gene function.
Researchers have discovered that archived Guthrie cards hold valuable epigenetic information about newborns, which can be used to predict future health outcomes. The study found that these marks are present at birth and remain stable into early childhood, offering a unique window into the development of diseases.
A CSHL-led team has developed a new method to model human genetic diseases caused by errors in RNA splicing. The approach, called TSUNAMI, uses targeted 'negative ASOs' to cause missplicing and pathogenesis, offering a unique window into disease progression.
Scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory link gene mutations in Orc1 protein to extreme dwarfism and small brain size in Meier-Gorlin syndrome. The study reveals that centrosome reduplication and dysregulation of DNA replication contribute to severe manifestations of the rare condition.
Research finds that newborn twins' epigenetic profiles differ despite sharing a womb, influenced by unique environmental experiences and genetic factors. This study may lead to early identification of disease risk and personalized health interventions.
A new software package corrects errors in single-molecule sequencing, boosting accuracy to 99.9% and enabling complete genome assembly for large organisms like parrots. The hybrid error-correction approach combines the best of both '2nd-gen' and '3rd-gen' technologies to produce high-quality genome assemblies.
Researchers have identified a set of viruses shared among individuals from different parts of the world, which target the gut microbiota. The study found that nearly 80% of these viruses are common to two or more individuals, suggesting a global reservoir of phages attacking our gut bacteria.
A comprehensive analysis of the maize genome has been completed, increasing scientists' understanding of differences across related species and individual varieties. The research is expected to speed development of improved corn varieties, which will help optimize yield and disease resistance in changing climates.
Researchers release first installment of 500 terabytes of data on whole-brain circuit mapping project. The data provide a detailed picture of individual neurons and their processes, enabling users to explore three-dimensional brain space.
A new web-based resource, Taxonomic Name Resolution Service (TNRS), resolves up to 30% of incorrect plant names in major databases. The service uses exact matching, parsing, and fuzzy matching to resolve taxonomic names, providing a critical tool for plant scientists.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have solved the atomic structure of a human protein bound to a microRNA guide, revealing its biological mechanism of action. The discovery could aid in understanding gene function and advancing RNAi as a therapeutic strategy.
A Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory study reveals a new way in which the cell's splicing machinery recognizes splice sites, impacting current ideas on how missteps triggered by mutations can lead to diseases. The discovery affects up to 5% of all splice sites and has implications for pinpointing splicing defects underlying certain diseases.
A team of researchers has identified a previously unknown non-coding RNA, called BANCR, that plays an important role in the biology of melanoma. By analyzing the RNA transcriptome of patient samples, they found that BANCR is required for full migratory capacity in melanoma and could be a potential target for therapy.
Research reveals that commonly occurring large chromosomal deletions contain areas with multiple functionally linked genes whose loss confers a survival advantage on tumors. The study validated the presence of these linked genes in mouse models of human liver cancer and demonstrated their cooperative action.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press announces new licensing arrangements with Genome Research authors. Authors can now retain copyright and license their work for 6 months, after which it will be made freely available under a Creative Commons License.
A team at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory has found a striking association between Fragile-X gene mutations and autism, identifying 60 new candidate genes. The study suggests that these genes are regulated by FMRP, a protein encoded by the Fragile-X gene, which plays a vital role in neural development and synaptic plasticity.
Researchers used live microscopy to observe how cancer cells react to chemotherapy in different tumor microenvironments. Selective inhibition of certain enzymes and immune signaling molecules made breast tumors more responsive to doxorubicin, a widely used chemotherapeutic agent.
Scientists have identified PRC2, a chromatin regulator, as a promising therapeutic target in acute myeloid leukemia. Blocking PRC2 halts uncontrolled proliferation and reactivates anti-tumor pathways, offering a potential new treatment option.
A recent genetic study has found evidence of prehistoric gene flow between Africa and Europe, dating back to 11,000 years ago. The research suggests that more than 35% of sub-Saharan African lineages arrived in Europe during this time period, likely via coastal routes.
Researchers have found that both humans and rats make more accurate decisions when presented with combined multisensory information, suggesting a statistically optimal combination of sensory stimuli. This discovery could provide insights into how the brain processes multisensory information in individuals with autism spectrum disorders.
Researchers have identified extended synaptic development in human brains relative to other primates, shedding light on the biology and evolution of human cognition. This finding suggests that the human brain remains highly plastic during early childhood, allowing it to absorb environmental information and develop intellectual skills.
Researchers have uncovered new genetic evidence supporting the hypothesis that acral melanoma is a distinct subtype with UV-damage signatures. Whole-exome sequencing of pancreatic cancer cell lines revealed a significant correlation between loss of MLH1 gene and indel mutation rates, disrupting several well-known cancer genes.
Researchers have discovered that a gene mutation in autistic individuals leads to difficulties in processing auditory cues and paying spatial attention to sound. Treatment with rapamycin blocks hyperconnectivity triggered by PTEN gene loss.
The new technology, called Serial Two-Photon Tomography, allows for high-throughput fluorescence imaging of whole mouse brains, facilitating systematic comparisons between different mouse models. This enables the study of neuroanatomy in mouse models of human brain disorders such as schizophrenia and autism.
Researchers found that GABA interneurons initially form many tentative connections, which are later pruned back by a mechanism triggered by GABA. This process helps refine neural networks and eliminate incompatible contacts.
A molecular 'maturation clock' has been identified that regulates the number of branches in tomato plants, leading to increased flower and fruit production. Manipulating this clock could provide agricultural benefits by slowing down branching, resulting in more fruits.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown gene fusion event in lung adenocarcinoma cases in never-smokers, suggesting that this fusion could serve as a therapeutic target. The study found the KIF5B-RET fusion to occur in about 6% of all lung adenocarcinoma cases.
A comprehensive DNA study of mast cell leukemia identifies two previously unknown mutations that could improve diagnostic power and targeted therapy. The study's findings suggest a diagnostic improvement and an alternative treatment strategy for MCL, with potential implications for other cancers.
A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered that hydrogen sulfide regulates a signaling pathway implicated in biological malfunctions. H2S modifies an enzyme called PTP1B, preventing it from inactivating PERK, a sensor of unfolded proteins and a critical regulator of cell response to ER stress.
A recent study has characterized rare genetic variants in the SLCO1B1 gene that can significantly influence the disposition of methotrexate, a drug used to treat cancer and autoimmune disease. These rare variants can lead to high levels of methotrexate in the blood and increased side effects.
Researchers from CSHL and St. Jude's Research Hospital have discovered new details of how a protein complex contributes to heterochromatin assembly and gene silencing in fission yeast. The team identified a previously unknown substructure at the end of Chp1, which plays a crucial role in heterochromatin formation at telomeres.
Researchers discovered signals within exons 9 and 10 of the PK-M gene that determine mutually exclusive splicing, promoting PK-M2 production in cancer cells. This finding has implications for developing therapies to reverse the Warburg effect.