Genetics

A metastatic breast cancer cell under a fluorescent microscope.

Victory in Numbers

23.02.2015

Cancer, Genetics

The discovery of a new breast cancer gene holds hope for treatment

Muscle fibers of a fruit fly larva viewed under a confocal microscope: A normal fiber has normally-shaped, properly distributed nuclei (A), whereas the nuclei of fibers with mutated MSP-300 or its interacting proteins Klar and Klaroid are distorted and distributed abnormally (B, C and D)

Use It or Lose It

11.02.2015

Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics

Why do muscles lose their strength without exercise?

Stem cell colony with cells in the process of differentiation; from the lab of Dr. Jacob Hanna

Stopping the Stem Cell State

02.02.2015

Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics

Before anything else, a stem cell must first put the brakes on its “stem-cell” program

NPM1 interacts with DNA polymerase eta and regulates polymerase eta-promoted TLS. Assay of polymerase eta and NPM1 in unirradiated (l) and ultraviolet irradiated cells ((c) after one hour, (r) after 18 hours). Blue: DNA in the nucleus; green: polymerase eta–NPM1 interaction

Living with the Quick Fix

29.12.2014

Biochemistry, Cancer, Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics

A mechanism for keeping DNA repair mistakes to a minimum might advance the development of cancer drugs

Clusters of human embryonic stem cells that were differentiated to an early germ cell (PGC) state (colored cells). Each color reveals the expression of a different gene. (l-r) NANOS3, NANOG, OCT4 and, on the right, all three combined in a single image

Human Primordial Cells Created in the Lab

24.12.2014

Stem Cells, Molecular and Cell Biology, Fertility, Genetics

A cell programming technique developed at the Weizmann Institute turns them into the earliest precursors of sperm and ova

“Big Eaters” Get a Makeover

07.12.2014

Molecular and Cell Biology, Immunology, Genetics

Voracious immune cells turn out to be uniquely adaptable to their surroundings

Algorithm-generated comparisons among the genomes of cells from 450 tissue samples: The analysis revealed a striking similarity (red colors, upper right rectangle) in tRNA signatures among cancerous cells and healthy dividing cells, as well as a degree of similarity among the non-dividing cells (red colors, lower left rectangle), whereas no such similarity (blue) was found when dividing cells were compared with non-dividing ones

Cellular Signature Style

23.11.2014

Cancer, Stem Cells, Genetics

Synonyms in the gene code spell differences in cell division

Fluorescent image of Baker's yeast cells showing that the yeast Presenilin-like protein, Ypf1 (green), is found in the same cellular area as Presenilin, around the nucleus

Pumping Zinc

18.11.2014

Molecular and Cell Biology, Genetics

Weizmann Institute researchers reveal an unusual cellular mechanism that may be faulty in Alzheimer’s disease

$Natural healing process of fractured bones. (A) Healing begins with a collection of blood and inflammation at the fracture site. (B) Soft callus (purple) is formed, which develops into the bidirectional growth plate at the concave side of the fracture site. (C) The growth plate drives bone growth in opposite directions. The result is a jack-like mechanical effect that moves the fragments toward straightening (red arrows). (D) New bone tissue is formed (orange). (E) The shape of the bone is fine-tuned by rem$