Genetics

Cheaters lessen colony survival under stress in yeast experimentMIT researchers find that high ratio of freeloaders makes it more likely colony will die from sudden shock to environment.

Research update: Imaging fish in 3-D
Automated system for high-speed analysis of vertebrate larvae could aid drug development.


Cardiac development needs more than protein-coding genesBiologists find that long non-coding RNA molecules are necessary to regulate differentiation of embryonic stem cells into cardiac cells.

Evolution: It’s all in how you splice itMIT biologists find that alternative splicing of RNA rewires signaling in different tissues and may often contribute to species differences.

MIT team builds most complex synthetic biology circuit yetNew sensor can detect four different molecules, could be used to program cells to precisely monitor their environments.

Deciphering the language of transcription factorsA new method identifies the precise binding sites of transcription factors — proteins that regulate the production of other proteins — with 10 times the accuracy of its predecessors.

New nanoparticles shrink tumors in miceParticles that shut off cancer genes could also allow researchers to screen potential drug targets more rapidly.

Researchers build a toolbox for synthetic biologyEngineers design new proteins that can help control novel genetic circuits in cells.

Searching genomic data fasterBiologists’ capacity for generating genomic data is increasing more rapidly than computing power. A new algorithm will help them keep up.

Genetic 911: Cells’ emergency systems revealedStudy examines how cells exploit gene sequences to cope with toxic stress.

Researchers achieve RNA interference, in a lighter packagePared-down nucleic acid nanoparticle poses less risk of side effects, offers better targeting.

A new look at prolonged radiation exposureMIT study suggests that at low dose-rate, radiation poses little risk to DNA.

Pinpointing how antibiotics workTeam uncovers mechanism that produces fatal DNA damage in bacteria.

Getting to the root of geneticsManolis Kellis uses computational techniques to decipher human disease.

Study shows unified process of evolution in bacteria and sexual eukaryotesA single gene mutation can sweep through a population, opening the door for the concept of ‘species’ in bacteria.

What lies ahead for science and science writing?10th anniversary of MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing celebrates past, looks to future.

Eric Lander wins Dan David PrizeBroad Institute director, biology professor shares prize in the 'future' category.

Prions play key role in yeast survival and evolutionFor the first time, researchers find prions in wild strains of yeast, and show they can help the organisms withstand stress.

Stem cells could drive hepatitis research forwardBy creating liver-like cells, scientists can study why people respond differently to the disease.

Metabolic errors can spell doom for DNANew study could explain why variant enzymes boost the risk of cancer for some people.

The mathematics of tasteBy using ‘genetic programming’ to crossbreed algorithms, researchers help flavor companies figure out what their customers like.

Neuroscientists identify a master controller of memoryOne gene appears to regulate the brain’s ability to form new memories.

A new piece to the autism puzzleNeuroscientists find that two rare autism-related disorders are caused by opposing malfunctions in the brain.

Seeing cancer in three dimensionsScientists find that the 3-D structure of a cancer cell’s chromosomes plays a big role in which genes get deleted or copied.

Unraveling how a mutation can lead to psychiatric illnessMIT neuroscientists show that a gene linked with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder impairs early brain development.

Materials research in the Information AgeMIT, Lawrence Berkeley launch new tool to calculate properties of new materials

Bacteria may readily swap beneficial genesMicrobes have developed a quick and effective way to exchange genetic information coding for antibiotic resistance, other functions.