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genes

cell biology

Bacterial Clones Show Surprising Individuality

By Carrie Arnold
September 4, 2019
Read Later

Genetically identical bacteria should all be the same, but in fact, the cells are stubbornly varied individuals.

cell biology

Cellular Life, Death and Everything in Between

By Elizabeth Svoboda
July 8, 2019
Read Later

The discovery that apparently dead cells can sometimes resurrect themselves has researchers exploring how far they can push the point of no return.

Art for "The Body’s Clock Offers a Rhythmic Target to Viruses"
chronobiology

The Body’s Clock Offers a Rhythmic Target to Viruses

By Veronique Greenwood
May 30, 2019
Read Later

Viruses and other parasites may sync with their host’s biological clock — or reset it — to gain an advantage.

Art for "Stem Cells Remember Tissues’ Past Injuries"
developmental biology

Stem Cells Remember Tissues’ Past Injuries

By Monique Brouillette
November 12, 2018
Read Later

Stem cells seem to retain memories of old injuries to improve future healing. When that system goes wrong, chronic inflammation can result.

Art for "Adaptations or Neutral Changes? Evolutionary Theory Seeks a Balance"
evolution

Theorists Debate How ‘Neutral’ Evolution Really Is

By Viviane Callier
November 8, 2018
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For 50 years, evolutionary theory has emphasized the importance of neutral mutations rather than adaptive ones at the level of DNA. Real genomic data challenges that assumption.

Art for "In the Nucleus, Genes’ Activity Might Depend on Their Position"
cell biology

In the Nucleus, Genes’ Activity Might Depend on Their Location

By Jordana Cepelewicz
November 6, 2018
Read Later

Using a new CRISPR-based technique, researchers are examining how the position of DNA within the nucleus affects gene expression and cell function.

Art for "‘Broadband’ Networks of Viruses May Help Bacteria Evolve Faster"
microbiology

‘Broadband’ Networks of Viruses May Help Bacteria Evolve Faster

By Jonathan Lambert
October 16, 2018
Read Later

A newly discovered mechanism may enable viruses to shuttle genes between bacteria 1,000 times as often as was thought — making them a major force in those cells’ evolution.

Photo of mice
Abstractions blog

Unexpected Diversity Found in 16 New Lab Mouse Genomes

By Jonathan Lambert
October 1, 2018
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The availability of 16 new mouse genomes will help accelerate research into the genetic underpinnings of human traits and diseases.

Photo of ants holding larvae.
evolution

The Elusive Calculus of Insects’ Altruism and Kin Selection

By Jordana Cepelewicz
April 10, 2018
Read Later

How the ultra-cooperative behavior of ants, bees and other social insects could have evolved continues to challenge formal analysis. But a new theory about hedging bets against nature’s unpredictability may change the math and shift the debate.


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