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Scientists use evolution to bioengineer new pathways to sustainable energy, pharmaceuticals

Researchers engineered bacteria-yeast hybrids to perform photosynthetic carbon assimilation, generating cellular energy without traditional carbon feedstocks. The hybrids can produce important hydrocarbons, paving new biotechnical pathways to non-petroleum-based energy and synthetic biology applications.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2024

Engineered approach to remove protein aggregates from cells

A new study describes an engineered approach that makes protein aggregates amenable to spatial manipulations in both budding yeast and human cells. This system allows for the export of protein aggregates from cells, potentially protecting mother cells from toxicity and contributing to a better understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 30, 2023

NIH researchers discover new gene involved in a toxic competition among yeast

Researchers at NIH's National Human Genome Research Institute identified a gene, KTD1, that provides resistance to the K28 toxin in yeast. This discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying toxin resistance and has implications for understanding human toxin resistance.

SourceNIH/National Human Genome Research Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2023

Life in evolution's fast lane

Scientists discovered a lineage of budding yeasts that has lost dozens of genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle processes. These gene losses result in the yeast's genomes changing rapidly, leading to unique biological characteristics.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateMay 21, 2019

Pinched off

A study published in Developmental Cell reveals that actin depolymerization, not myosin motor contraction, is the main force behind yeast cell division. The research uses a novel quantitative microscopy model to confirm this finding and sheds light on cytokinesis mechanisms.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJun 11, 2012

A molecular motor's key role in cell birth

Cornell University researchers reveal molecular motor Myo2p's crucial role in guiding the mitotic spindle during cell division. The study sheds light on an essential mechanism in new cell formation and highlights potential consequences of failures in molecular motor function.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature·DateAug 30, 2000

Poetically Timed With Spring, Budding Yeast Yield Possible Insight Into Male Fertility--And Infertility

Researchers at UCSF have identified a critical gene involved in yeast spore development that may also play a role in human sperm development. The study found that a gene called NDT80 stimulates the synthesis of proteins necessary for DNA division, and its malfunction can cause permanent arrest in sperm development.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 23, 1998