Inside the trillions of cells that make up the human body, things are rarely silent. Molecules are constantly being made, moved, and modified—and during these processes, mistakes are sometimes made. Strands of DNA, for ...
Biochemistry
Sep 8, 2015
0
65
After it is transcribed from DNA, RNA can go on to many fates. While the most familiar path may lead directly to the production of protein, RNA molecules themselves can also become capable of altering the expression of genes. ...
Cell & Microbiology
Aug 27, 2015
0
43
If you've ever found a banana overtaken by a swarm of tiny flies, you were in fact witnessing an orgy of amorous Drosophila melanogaster. These trespassers engage in fervent courtship and mating atop ripe fruits, and the ...
Plants & Animals
Aug 13, 2015
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21
Dividing cells are prone to errors, and so they must be prepared to summon sophisticated emergency systems to deal with potential damage. One type of division-derailing mishap can occur when assault by certain chemicals causes ...
Cell & Microbiology
Aug 7, 2015
0
793
Bacteria have plenty of things to send out into world beyond their own boundaries: coordinating signals to other members of their species, poisons for their enemies, and devious instructions to manipulate host cells they ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jul 22, 2015
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79
Cells have devised many structures for transporting molecular cargo across their protective borders, but the nuclear pore complex, with its flower-like, eight-fold symmetry, stands out. Monstrously large by cellular standards, ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 5, 2015
1
885
Every inch of our body, inside and out, is oozing with bacteria. In fact, the human body carries 10 times the number of bacterial cells as human cells. Many are our friends, helping us digest food and fight off infections, ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 7, 2015
0
16
A family of proteins known as histones provides support and structure to DNA, but for years, scientists have been puzzling over occasional outliers among these histones, which appear to exist for specific, but often mysterious ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 4, 2015
0
67
Insects form swarms, fish school, birds flock together. Likewise, one species of bacteria forms dynamic, living crystals, says new research from Rockefeller University. Biophysicists have revealed that fast-swimming, sulfur-eating ...
Condensed Matter
Apr 6, 2015
0
84
Traditionally, to understand how a gene functions, a scientist would breed an organism that lacks that gene - "knocking it out" - then ask how the organism has changed. Are its senses affected? Its behavior? Can it even survive? ...
Biotechnology
Mar 26, 2015
23
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