Molecular Genetics

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

Mouse islet of Langerhans; insulin-containing vesicles within beta cells are shown in white

Cells with an Edge

02.02.2015

Molecular and Cell Biology

Cells in the pancreas take on unusual shapes in order to carry out their vital work

Use It or Lose It

25.12.2014

Molecular and Cell Biology

Why do muscles lose their strength without exercise?

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...

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

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