How many evolutionary events can it take to screw in nature’s lightbulb?
October 16, 2018
Firefly genomics reveals independent evolution of bioluminescence in beetles
Tag: Evolution + Development
Network of diverse noncoding RNAs acts in the brain
June 7, 2018
First known network consisting of three types of regulatory RNAs is identified
A Blueprint for Regeneration
March 15, 2018
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have uncovered a framework for regeneration that may explain and predict how stem cells in adult, regenerating tissue determine where to form replacement structures.
Retinoic acid regulates transitions in mouse sperm production
November 7, 2017
Researchers swimming upstream in reproductive technology work now have important insights into sperm production
Small worm muscles up to reveal ancient body patterning mechanism during regeneration
October 30, 2017
Whitehead Member Peter Reddien has determined that a major function of muscle in planaria and acoels--a small regenerative marine worm auspiciously located on the evolutionary tree as an outgroup to all the rest of the Bilateria--is to serve as the source of instructive positional information for instructing regeneration.
Jaw-dropping research explains mouth formation during embryonic development
August 2, 2016
Whitehead Institute researchers have identified an area in the developing face of embryonic frogs that unzips to form the mouth. The scientists, who named this region the “pre-mouth array”, have also discovered the cellular signaling that triggers its formation. Elucidating this critical aspect of craniofacial development in a model organism enhances understanding of and potential treatment for human facial birth defects.
New methodology tracks changes in DNA methylation in real time at single-cell resolution
September 24, 2015
Whitehead Institute researchers have developed a tool that allows scientists to monitor changes in DNA methylation over time in individual cells. Certain diseases, including cancer, cause changes in DNA methylation patterns, and the ability to document these alterations could aid in the development of novel therapies.
What’s mighty about the mouse? For starters, its massive Y chromosome
October 30, 2014
An exhaustive effort to sequence the mouse Y chromosome reveals a surprisingly large and complex biological beast, at the same time providing remarkable insight into a heated battle for supremacy between mammalian sex chromosomes.
Scientists develop novel approach to boost biofuel production
October 2, 2014
MIT and Whitehead Institute researchers have identified a new way to boost yeast tolerance to ethanol simply by altering the composition of the medium in which the yeast are grown. They believe this finding could have a significant impact on industrial biofuel production.
A region and pathway found crucial for facial development in vertebrate embryos
July 17, 2014
A signaling pathway once thought to have little if any role during embryogenesis is a key player in the formation of the front-most portion of developing vertebrate embryos. Moreover, signals emanating from this region—referred to as the “extreme anterior domain” (EAD)—orchestrate the complex choreography that gives rise to proper facial structure.
Lost in translation? Not when it comes to control of gene expression during Drosophila development
May 29, 2014
The lab of Whitehead Member Terry Orr-Weaver has conducted perhaps the most comprehensive look yet at changes in translation and protein synthesis during a developmental change, using the oocyte-to-embryo transition in Drosophila as a model system. One of the insights from this research is that a surprisingly large number of mRNAs that are translationally regulated.
Scientists find gene behind a highly prevalent facial anomaly
May 9, 2014
Whitehead Institute scientists have identified a genetic cause of a facial disorder known as hemifacial microsomia (HFM). The researchers find that duplication of the gene OTX2 induces HFM, the second-most common facial anomaly after cleft lip and palate.