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The swing of architect genes

Scientists demonstrate the existence of two distinct regulatory domains controlling arm and hand formation, revealing a complex genetic switch that enables wrist emergence. The study sheds light on the molecular processes governing limb development, highlighting the intricate dialogue between genes and regulatory elements.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience·DateJun 6, 2013

Epigenetic control of cardiogenesis

Researchers have discovered a new class of non-coding RNAs essential for embryonic heart development. Knocking down the long non-coding RNA Fendrr led to lethal malformations and impaired body wall formation in mouse embryos. The study sheds light on the role of epigenetic control in regulating cardiogenesis.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJan 29, 2013

Discovery of reprogramming signature may help further stem cell-based regenerative medicine research

Researchers at Salk Institute discover a unique molecular signature in induced pluripotent stem cells, consisting of nine genes that govern epigenetic changes. This finding could help overcome hurdles to using induced stem cells in regenerative medicine and provide a new understanding of their safety profile.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2012

Regulatory process for organ scaling discovered

A new study has identified Dpp and Pentagone as key players in the scaling process of a fruit fly's wing. The research found that the feedback loop between Dpp and Pentagone regulates proportional tissue growth, keeping body proportions constant despite external factors like nutrition and temperature.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateOct 25, 2011

Male or female? In flies, some cells can't tell

Researchers found that a subset of cells in flies express sex-specific genes, while others remain identical in males and females. This discovery has profound implications for our understanding of sex differences in the animal kingdom and may have relevance to human biology as well.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 4, 2010

Swedish researcher finds missing piece of fossil puzzle

A Swedish researcher has discovered a bony clasper in a primitive fossil fish, completing the picture of placoderm reproduction and providing a 400-million-year pedigree for modern sharks' reproductive biology. The finding sheds light on how sharks reproduce, with the clasper serving as an extension of the pelvic fin.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2009

What drove the cow mad? Lessons from a tiny fish

Researchers from the University of Konstanz found that normal protein PrP helps cells communicate during embryonic development. Without it, physiological abnormalities occur, and cell-to-cell contact is disrupted. This discovery may aid in understanding prion diseases and developing effective treatments.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 9, 2009

FoxJ1 helps cilia beat a path to asymmetry

New research reveals FoxJ1 helps create left-right asymmetry by orchestrating the formation of nodal cilia, which generate fluid flow to orient tissues. The study finds that increasing FoxJ1 levels leads to the formation of ectopic cilia, challenging current theories on its role.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateNov 16, 2008

New findings solve human origins mystery

A recent study published in PLoS ONE confirms that many early hominoid apes were upright bipedal walkers sharing the basic body form of modern humans. This groundbreaking research reveals a specific genetic change that generated the upright human body form and identifies four upright bipedal species that precede Australopithecus Lucy.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateOct 9, 2007

Whole body regeneration from a blood vessel

Researchers find unique mode of whole body regeneration (WBR) in sea squirts, which arises from systemically induced signals and may travel through circulation. RA signaling plays a vital role in WBR, with overexpression leading to accelerated regeneration.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMar 5, 2007

Mouse, frog and bird put Snail and Slug to different uses

Researchers discovered that Snail family genes play a consistent role in controlling body asymmetry in mice and birds, but have a different function in neural crest cell formation. This finding provides surprising new insights into the evolution of developmental biology across species.

SourceJackson Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 26, 2006

Anemone genes reveal versatile building blocks for body plans

Researchers isolated genes from the starlet sea anemone to understand body-plan patterning. They found that two types of proteins encoded by these genes are expressed differently in anemones compared to bilateral animals like flies and frogs, suggesting an ancient function for this signaling system.

SourceCell Press·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMar 6, 2006

There and back again

Researchers uncover a novel mechanism regulating cell shape changes during somitogenesis, a process crucial for vertebrae and muscle formation. Cdc42 plays a central role in this transition, with activity levels influencing mesenchymal cells' ability to become epithelial cells.

SourceRIKEN Center for Developmental Biology·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateSep 13, 2004

Salk news: Understanding organ placement

Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered a complex chain of events leading to Notch activation, which is crucial for proper left-right asymmetry. The study used mathematical modeling to pinpoint factors regulating Notch activity, revealing extracellular calcium as a key trigger.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 8, 2004