Using whole genome sequencing, scientists can pinpoint populations that need an influx of new genes or identify the best pumas to move between populations. This approach may help prevent inbreeding and its consequences, such as health defects.
Researchers have discovered a new species of choanoflagellates that can act together to change shape and swim. The microbes use light-sensing proteins to coordinate their movements, suggesting this ability pre-dates the first animals.
Researchers develop tools to watch neural circuit formation directly in living animals, revealing new window into brain development. The study uses light-sheet microscopy to track neurons' movement, activity, and function, shedding light on how coordinated network activity emerges and gives rise to early behaviors.
Researchers found that RNA granules use Annexin A11 to hitch a ride on lysosomes, which are highly mobile organelles. This transportation method is crucial for RNA to reach its destination and translate into proteins, but mutations in annexin A11 have been linked to ALS.
Researchers at Janelia Research Campus have mapped over 1,000 neurons in the mouse brain, tracing their branching routes to understand how messages travel through it. The preliminary data reveal new clues about the mouse brain's wiring diagram, including clusters of neurons and regions where they can't be easily delineated.
Researchers have developed a powerful new brain imaging tool called Voltron, which lets them track neuron activity in living animals more precisely and for longer periods than before. Voltron uses an ultra-bright synthetic dye and a specially engineered protein to detect neural signals throughout the brain.
The SLAP microscope uses compressed measurements to scan large areas quickly, recording neurons' voltage spikes and neurotransmitter release. It has broken the speed limit of traditional two-photon microscopy, allowing scientists to capture millisecond-scale patterns in living brains.
Researchers discovered that glia cells, not neurons, calculate when an effort is futile and send a 'quit' message to the body. Glia cells called radial astrocytes amp up their activity when animals stop trying, helping them decide whether to continue or give up.
Researchers have invented a new type of microscopy called 'DNA microscopy' that can image cells at the genomic level. This technique uses DNA bar codes to pinpoint molecules' relative positions within a sample, allowing scientists to build a picture of cells and amass enormous amounts of genomic information.
Research at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Janelia Research Campus discovered that astrocytes collect and recycle toxic molecules from overactive neurons, protecting them from damage. This mechanism, previously unknown, could be related to Alzheimer's disease and is an important role for astrocytes beyond their support of neurons.
A 15-year-old girl with cystic fibrosis was treated with genetically engineered bacteriophages to combat a life-threatening, drug-resistant infection. The treatment led to the clearance of skin nodules and improvement in liver function, demonstrating the safety and effectiveness of phage therapy.
A recent study has discovered that female fruit flies can sense the sensation of sex and reject unwanted partners, independent of sperm presence. The 'copulation effect' involves a neural circuit that allows females to quickly determine if they've successfully mated.
Scientists discovered the gut has a built-in salt sensor that reports to the brain, regulating thirst. The gastrointestinal tract measures salt concentration and relays this info directly to the brain, enabling precise measurement of fluid osmolarity.
Researchers have developed a system to target specific cells in the brain using an approved anti-smoking drug, varenicline. This technology, called chemogenetics, allows for precise modulation of neural activity, which could lead to more effective treatments for conditions like epilepsy and pain.
Researchers can now measure hidden, inactive HIV in patients' cells using a new genetic technique developed by Howard Hughes Medical Institute. This allows scientists to track progress depleting the latent reservoir of HIV, a crucial step towards finding a cure.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that allows for rapid and detailed scanning of entire brains at the nanoscale. This breakthrough method, combined with the lattice light-sheet microscope, enables visualization of any desired protein and has the potential to revolutionize neuroscience research.
Researchers have made a major breakthrough in understanding how brain circuits control behavior by identifying two types of intermingled nerve cells with distinct roles. The study used extensive analyses of neurons' shapes, gene activity, and function to tease out which cells are responsible for planning and initiating movements.
Researchers developed a new way to engineer rhodopsin proteins, enabling the creation of tools with distinct properties. This technique doubles the number of available optogenetics tools, allowing for more precise experiments and advancing neuroscience research.
Researchers have released a massive dataset detailing molecular makeup of tumor cells from over 500 AML patients, enabling rapid advancement in clinical trials. The dataset includes how individual patients' cells responded to various drugs, providing insights into targeted therapies for specific subsets of AML cells.
Scientists have developed a smart microscope that provides a 4D view of embryonic development in living mice. The microscope uses algorithms to track the embryo's position and size, creating high-resolution images of its development over a critical 48-hour window.
Groundcherries, a wild fruit native to Central and South America, may be domesticated for large-scale production through genome editing. The groundcherry's drought tolerance and enticing flavor make it an appealing candidate for the next major berry crop.
Researchers found that DEET interferes with Caenorhabditis elegans' neural circuitry, jumbling their response to certain odors. This knowledge could help develop more effective DEET alternatives.
A study published in Cell found that cells in a three-dimensional environment divide chromosomes correctly, while those in a two-dimensional environment make mistakes. This discovery could help explain why chromosome errors are common in cancerous cells.
Researchers have discovered that protein droplets, which self-organize into liquid-like structures inside cells, enable neurons to transmit signals quickly and efficiently. In the immune system, droplets of a danger-sensing enzyme trigger an immune response by generating signals that launch defense mechanisms.
Researchers have successfully mapped the adult fruit fly brain in unprecedented detail, tracing the path of neurons to any other neuron throughout the entire brain. The high-resolution digital snapshot has also revealed a new cell type and other surprises, including tightly bundled olfactory projection neurons.
In certain fish and frogs, cellular umbrellas shade fragile stem cells from the sun's harmful rays. This discovery highlights an important tool some aquatic animals use to keep crucial blood-cell-producing stem cells safe.
Researchers have developed a fast-acting cholera vaccine that protects against the deadly disease within a day, offering promise in curbing outbreaks. The vaccine, HaitiV, works by using harmless, lab-designed bacteria as a protective shield, preventing the pathogen from causing trouble.
A set of three new genes involved in nerve cell generation may have contributed to the rapid evolution of the large human brain. These genes, which emerged around 3.5 million years ago, offer clues about what separates humans from chimpanzees.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has invested $200 million in 19 scientists whose work is pushing the boundaries of biomedical research. The selected researchers will receive a seven-year grant, renewable pending scientific review, to conduct innovative projects.
Scientists have identified distinct subclasses of pyramidal cells in the subiculum, a region crucial for memory and navigation. These subclasses are associated with processing local and global cues, shedding light on the neural mechanisms underlying spatial recognition.
Scientists have developed a new microscope that can capture unprecedented 3-D detail of cells in their natural state, overcoming previous limitations. The technology combines adaptive optics and lattice light sheet microscopy to create high-resolution images of cellular dynamics.
Researchers created a genetically engineered ferret with a mutation linked to abnormally small human brain size, revealing an evolutionary mechanism governing cerebral cortical size. The study suggests that genes responsible for centriole function played a crucial role in the expansion of human brains over time.
Researchers have identified a network of brain cells that orchestrate parental behavior in mice, including hormonal changes and altered social behaviors. The discovery could one day help develop treatments for postpartum depression and other related conditions.
Researchers have discovered a detailed structure of ISRIB, a brain-boosting experimental drug that eliminates learning and memory deficits in mice with concussions. The new atomic-scale protein structure reveals how ISRIB interacts with its target, potentially leading to tailored treatment for cognitive disorders.
Researchers have developed a glowing molecule that can detect live tuberculosis bacteria, offering a quick and simple diagnosis method. The molecule, DMN-Tre, incorporates into the cell membranes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, allowing for accurate detection in sputum samples.
A new study using ancient DNA analysis has found that human populations have been migrating and mixing extensively throughout history, with the Yamnaya people from Central Asia expanding rapidly to Europe, Britain, and beyond. The research also reveals a biased genetic exchange between farmers and hunter-gatherers in northern Europe.
Researchers have developed a CRISPR-based method, DETECTR, to detect viral DNA, including cancer-causing HPV types. The system uses a molecular flare gun to identify specific DNA targets, enabling fast and reliable medical tests with minimal equipment requirements.
Researchers at Howard Hughes Medical Institute have developed a synthetic version of the plant hormone auxin and an engineered receptor to recognize it, enabling precise control over plant growth and development. This breakthrough system, called
Researchers have solved a biological mystery by detailing the step-by-step process of genome folding, which involves coiling up long chromosome tangles and twisting them into spiral staircase structures. The study provides an efficient packing strategy that explains how cells can reliably bundle their chromosomes during cell division.
A powerful antiviral protein acts as a checkpoint for keeping or ending pregnancy. Mouse fetuses with the protein commit cell suicide when exposed to Zika virus, while those without it continue to develop. The study suggests that this signaling pathway plays a role in spontaneous abortions and other human pregnancy complications.
Scientists have identified a common target shared by the T-cell receptors of two patients with colorectal cancer, paving the way for personalized immunotherapies. The breakthrough could lead to the development of broadly effective treatments that harness the immune system to fight cancer.
Researchers used CRISPR-Cas9 technology to disrupt a genetic mutation causing deafness in mice, preserving some hearing. The treatment reversed hair cell damage and improved inner ear function.
The SEA-PHAGES program has been shown to significantly impact students' attitudes towards science, leading to increased persistence and confidence among underrepresented groups. By providing authentic research experiences, the program has been found to be more effective in developing key traits that influence students' intent to persis...
The mouse immune system uses six different ways to identify invading bacteria, scanning the bacterial protein in detail. This effective immune response helps understand why certain bacteria can evade detection.
The new Neuropixels probes enable scientists to monitor neural activity at hundreds of sites within the brain, providing a clearer picture of how different parts work together. Researchers can collect more meaningful data in a single experiment than current technologies allow.
Researchers have discovered new neural connections in a critical brain region of the fruit fly, challenging existing maps and highlighting the need for detailed brain mapping. High-resolution electron microscopy has revealed these unexpected synapses, which may be crucial for learning and memory.
Researchers used tiny microscopes on mice's heads to visualize brain activity in living mice, showing how and where instincts are shaped by learning. The results found that social experiences can influence brain responses to other mice and even lead to long-lasting changes in the brain's activity patterns.
Scientists have now shown that individual neurons in the mouse brain often spool out spindly fibers nearly half a meter long. The team's dataset and analysis tool, MouseLight NeuronBrowser, offer new insights into how elaborately-branching neurons route information in the brain.
Researchers have developed a new enzyme called a base editor that can directly change DNA base pairs, enabling precise genome editing. This technology may one day enable the treatment of genetic diseases by erasing harmful mutations and writing in helpful ones.
Researchers have discovered a new genetic signature for autism by analyzing the genomes of 516 autistic children and their families. The study found that individuals with autism are more likely to have multiple genetic variations, suggesting a complex interplay between genes in the development of the disorder.