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An illustration that shows a fanciful view of cells in terms of electrical circuitry.
synthetic biology

Math Reveals the Secrets of Cells’ Feedback Circuitry

By XiaoZhi Lim
September 18, 2019
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Maintaining perfect stability through negative feedback is a basic element of electrical circuitry, but it’s been a mystery how cells could do it — until now.

cell biology

Bacterial Clones Show Surprising Individuality

By Carrie Arnold
September 4, 2019
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.


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