Evolution and Development

The nucleus (red) in the cell center is surrounded by the disorganized actin network in the cytoplasm, on which the myosin-v motors move the vesicles around in the "active random motion"

Getting to the Center

14.06.2015

Systems Biology, Evolution and Development, Chemistry, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

How does random motion create directed movement in the cell?

We share many of our genes with sea urchins, but none of the sequences for long non-coding RNAs that regulate those genes

Looking for Links

25.05.2015

Systems Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution and Development, Genetics, Bioinformatics and Computational Biology

Non-coding DNA sequences on an evolutionary “fast track” may hold clues to human disease

cytoskeleton structure

Just a Twist to the Right

11.05.2015

Systems Biology, Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution and Development

The growth of cellular “skeletons” reveals a clear directional pattern

Chromosome pairs: Does doubling them help or hurt? Image: Wikimedia commons

Double Trouble

20.03.2013

Evolution and Development, Genetics

Does a non-standard number of chromosomes help or hurt the cell?

Sculpture: Igor Mitoraj

When the Network is Defective

09.01.2013

Disease, Drugs & Diagnostics, Evolution and Development, Genetics

Factors that direct the formation of the heart and face must network during embryonic development

Dorsal-GFP displaying a gradient of nuclear localization

Complexity and the Single Cell

12.09.2012

Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution and Development, Genetics

How does the fertilized egg start the process of becoming a diversified organism?

Embryonic stem cells (marked in green fluorescent protein) that should become sex cells, in which the gene encoding Utx is not present. Each column shows a gene needed for sex cell development (top row – marked in red, purple and orange). After 12 days (bottom row) the expression of the four genes has stopped and, rather than develop into sperm or ova, the stem cells die

Back to the Future

28.08.2012

Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution and Development, Genetics

Weizmann scientists discover an enzyme that is crucial for turning back the development clock in cells

Inherited expression levels of the resistance gene (green) and the native gene (red), shown in the stomachs of unchallenged larva (left), challenged larva (center) and unchallenged larval offspring of challenged larvae, eight generations later (right)

Adapting on the Fly

01.08.2012

Biochemistry, Evolution and Development, Genetics

Can a genetic response to a short-term threat be inherited over the long term?

Three-dimensional structure of the neurohypophysis in a zebrafish embryo (the nerve fibers and blood vessels are genetically tagged with fluorescent proteins). This brain area provides an interface between nerve cells (green), arteries (purple) and veins (red)

Close Encounters of the Brain and Blood

04.01.2012

Brain & Behavior, Cancer, Immunology, Evolution and Development

A surprising new function is discovered for the “hormone of love.”

The patterns on these butterfly wings are perfectly scaled, even though they are different sizes

Built to Scale

04.10.2011

Molecular and Cell Biology, Evolution and Development, Genetics

How does a growing, developing organism keep everything in proportion?

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This Far, No Further

Traces of Trauma in the Young Brain – and How to Erase Them

Scanning electron microscope images of the enamel layer enveloping mouse teeth

Newly Discovered Autoimmune Disorder Disrupts Tooth Enamel Development

Photo: Jonathan D. Muller

The Solar Forest

Press Releases

This Far, No Further

Traces of Trauma in the Young Brain – and How to Erase Them

Newly Discovered Autoimmune Disorder Disrupts Tooth Enamel Development