The findings will likely help elucidate the effects of chromosome fusions, which can cause disease but have also contributed to evolution.

The standard modus operandi for modeling human diseases in the mouse: Find an interesting gene, knock it out, and watch what happens. In theory, the approach makes perfect sense, and scientists have obtained countless subtle insights into the complexities of biology because of it. But mice, of course, are not humans, and many investigators have had to hastily rewrite otherwise elegant theories because of mouse data. One reason? Researchers have taken for granted that telomere length matters. But

Researchers repurpose tiny bacterial injection systems to specifically inject a wide variety of proteins into human cells and living mice.

By Judy Lieberman Master of the Cell RNA interference, with its powerful promise of therapy for many diseases, may also act as a master regulator of most—if not all—cellular processes. RNA silencing. Computer artwork showing a length of RNA (yellow with red rings) bound to an RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). © Medi-Mation Ltd / Photo Researchers, Inc. ne of the biggest surprises in biology in the past d

Courtesy of Richard Roberts, New England BiolabsModel methylation reaction: Cytosine nucleotide (red) is flipped out of the DNA double helix by a methyltransferase (white), so it can be methylated. The end product after the methyl group has been transferred to the DNA is pictured in green. A tenuous link between DNA methylation and development has existed for several years. Now findings substantiate the connection. Researchers have found the first human diseases caused by defects in the DNA meth

Associated with numerous neurological diseases, misfolded proteins may also play decisive roles in normal cellular functioning.
 

From a mass photometer to improved breath biopsy probes, these new products are poised for scientific success.

Content Jumping DNA Semen pharming Screening for heart risk Real-time signaling PubSCIENCE starts, PubMedCentral grows When time stands still Shutting down the pump Brain gain JUMPING DNA Mutations aren't transmitted only by inheritance--they can cross species, too, according to recent findings by John F. McDonald, head of the genetics department at the University of Georgia (I.K. Jordan et al., "Evidence for the recent horizontal transfer of long terminal repeat retrotransposon," Proceedings of

Teams at each of New York City's leading universities are making important research advances.