In a paper published in Cell (157, 1380–1392; 2014), researchers led by Billy G. Hudson (Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN) report that the chemical element bromine is essential for tissue development in animals, from fruit flies to humans. “Without bromine, there are no animals,” said Hudson in a press release. Lab Anim. (NY) 43, 258 (2014).ContinueContinue reading “Bromine is essential to animal development”
Tag Archives: development
It takes TALEN to edit zebrafish DNA
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an increasingly popular model for research on vertebrate biology and human disease, thanks in part to its short generation time and transparent, externally fertilized eggs, which facilitate studies of embryonic development. An array of molecular tools has been applied to zebrafish studies, including various genome modification techniques. For example, zincContinueContinue reading “It takes TALEN to edit zebrafish DNA”
A computational view of sea urchin development
As an embryo develops into an adult, each cell follows a genetic ‘script’ comprising an intricate network of interactions between regulatory genes. Extensive research has been done to identify these genes and their interactions in order to build a more detailed understanding of how development progresses. Sea urchin embryos are favored models for such research,ContinueContinue reading “A computational view of sea urchin development”
Piglets offer a peek at early brain development
Stress during early life can affect human cognitive development, but characterizing these effects is challenging, in part because of a lack of appropriate research subjects. A suitable model would be one whose brain development is similar to that of humans and whose cognitive abilities can be evaluated objectively. Rodney Johnson and his colleagues at UniversityContinueContinue reading “Piglets offer a peek at early brain development”
Cell-level, whole-embryo, real-time
Microscopic technology has progressed remarkably since the late 1600s when scientists began using it more commonly to explore biological structures. Despite enabling us to visualize material at seemingly infinitesimal levels, microscopy does have its limits. Light-sheet microscopy, the state of the art, could visualize individual cells of a whole (small) embryo as it developed. TheContinueContinue reading “Cell-level, whole-embryo, real-time”
Tetracycline reduces sperm viability
Despite widespread bacterial resistance, the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline is still commonly used in animal feed and as antimicrobial therapy in the developing world. Tetracycline inhibits mitochondrial translation, and because mitochondria are essential to the processes of spermatogenesis and sperm motility, male reproductive traits may be especially sensitive to its effects. Jeanne A. Zeh and colleaguesContinueContinue reading “Tetracycline reduces sperm viability”
How do fruit flies smell?
Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) rely heavily on their sense of smell, and a large portion of their brain is dedicated to processing olfactory information. Recently, a group directed by Grace Boekhoff-Falk (University of Wisconsin, Madison) determined that the gene distal-less (dll) is essential for correct development of this olfactory system in fruit flies (Proc. Natl.ContinueContinue reading “How do fruit flies smell?”
New cytokine, new role in colitis
The cytokines are a large, varied group of signaling molecules involved in development, immune responses and cellular communication. Dysregulation of cytokines has been implicated in depression, Alzheimer’s disease, arthritis, cancer and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In IBD, cytokines activate the immune system, causing chronic intestinal inflammation (colitis). But recent research led by Charles A. DinarelloContinueContinue reading “New cytokine, new role in colitis”
Sea squirt development and signal detection
Despite its morphological simplicity, the sea squirt (Ciona intestinalis) shares most of its genes with vertebrates. Its embryonic development is fundamentally similar to that of vertebrates, but because the embryos are structurally simple, they are useful as models for developmental studies. Lab Anim. (NY) 40, 264 (2011). view full text (login required)
A surprise twist to ribosomes
About 65 years ago, at the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD), a spontaneous mutation arose in a litter of inbred mice. Several of the offspring had abnormal skeletal features that included a short, kinky tail and an extra set of ribs in their neck vertebrae. Researchers at the time knew these ‘tail-short’ mutants could beContinueContinue reading “A surprise twist to ribosomes”
Fluent in Science 