Uncovering the “must-haves” of tissue regeneration
November 27, 2018
Biological program triggered by large injuries not required for regeneration, Whitehead Institute team finds
Tag: Evolution + Development
Plant characteristics shaped by parental conflict
November 19, 2018
Differences in common traits within a plant species, such as seed size, can be determined by more than gene sequence.
Heart-healthy plant chemistry
October 29, 2018
A novel genomic approach helps identify medicinal compounds in plants.
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
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.