Featured
-
-
Research Highlights |
Fatty bones weaken with age
-
Letter |
Somatic mutations reveal asymmetric cellular dynamics in the early human embryo
Whole-genome sequencing of normal blood cells sampled from 241 adults is used to infer mosaic point mutations that are likely to have arisen during early embryogenesis, providing insight into how early cellular dynamics may affect adult tissues.
- Young Seok Ju
- , Inigo Martincorena
- & Michael R. Stratton
-
Letter |
Ancient evolutionary origin of vertebrate enteric neurons from trunk-derived neural crest
Whereas the enteric nervous system of jawed vertebrates is derived largely from the vagal neural crest, that of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is populated by trunk-derived neural crest cells that may be homologous to Schwann cell precursors.
- Stephen A. Green
- , Benjamin R. Uy
- & Marianne E. Bronner
-
Letter |
Transmission of cytokinesis forces via E-cadherin dilution and actomyosin flows
Under physiological forces, resulting from cytokinesis, the mechanosensitivity of adherens junction arises from a local decrease in E-cadherin concentration and results in actomyosin flows.
- Diana Pinheiro
- , Edouard Hannezo
- & Yohanns Bellaïche
-
Letter |
DND1 maintains germline stem cells via recruitment of the CCR4–NOT complex to target mRNAs
The vertebrate-conserved and germline-specific RNA-binding protein DND1 recruits the CCR4–NOT deadenylase complex to destabilize its mRNA targets and is required for the maintenance of germline stem cells.
- Masashi Yamaji
- , Miki Jishage
- & Thomas Tuschl
-
Article |
Complex multi-enhancer contacts captured by genome architecture mapping
A technique called genome architecture mapping (GAM) involves sequencing DNA from a large number of thin nuclear cryosections to develop a map of genome organization without the limitations of existing 3C-based methods.
- Robert A. Beagrie
- , Antonio Scialdone
- & Ana Pombo
-
Research Highlights |
Origin of vertebrate gills
-
News |
Life expectancy set to hit 90 in South Korea
By 2030, nation’s girls can expect to live to 91, says statistical analysis.
- Nisha Gaind
-
Letter |
m6A-dependent maternal mRNA clearance facilitates zebrafish maternal-to-zygotic transition
The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification facilitates maternally driven clearance of zebrafish maternal mRNAs through the m6A-binding protein Ythdf2, ensuring proper and timely embryonic development.
- Boxuan Simen Zhao
- , Xiao Wang
- & Chuan He
-
News Feature |
Secrets of life in a spoonful of blood
The intricate development of the fetus is yielding its long-held secrets to state-of-the-art molecular technologies that can make use of the mother's blood.
- Claire Ainsworth
-
News & Views |
An atypical switch for metabolism and ageing
The enzyme S6K1 phosphorylates the enzyme glutamyl-prolyl tRNA synthetase to modulate metabolic activity and lifespan, revealing an atypical role for this synthetase as a target of a key metabolic signalling pathway. See Letter p.357
- Colin Selman
- & Dominic J. Withers
-
Research Highlights |
Human–pig embryo made
-
Article |
Identity and dynamics of mammary stem cells during branching morphogenesis
The formation of the branched epithelial network of the mouse mammary gland during puberty is driven by a heterogeneous population of stem cells at the terminal end buds of the epithelium.
- Colinda L. G. J. Scheele
- , Edouard Hannezo
- & Jacco van Rheenen
-
Books & Arts |
Bioethics: Democracy in vitro
Insoo Hyun weighs up a treatise exploring the ethical deliberations surrounding embryo research.
- Insoo Hyun
-
News |
Hybrid zoo: Introducing pig–human embryos and a rat–mouse
Chimaeras could pave the way for growing human organs in other animals.
- Sara Reardon
-
-
Review Article |
From morphogen to morphogenesis and back
- Darren Gilmour
- , Martina Rembold
- & Maria Leptin
-
Article |
Integration of temporal and spatial patterning generates neural diversity
Combinatorial inputs from temporal and spatial axes act together to promote medullary neural diversity in the optic lobes of Drosophila.
- Ted Erclik
- , Xin Li
- & Claude Desplan
-
News & Views |
Stomach growth in a dish
A protocol has been developed to grow structures that resemble the main part of the stomach in vitro from human embryonic stem cells — an advance that provides insights into stomach development. See Article p.182
- José B. Sáenz
- & Jason C. Mills
-
Article |
Wnt/β-catenin promotes gastric fundus specification in mice and humans
Wnt signalling is shown to be required for specification of the gastric fundus in mice, and was used to develop human gastric organoids with functional fundic cell types.
- Kyle W. McCracken
- , Eitaro Aihara
- & James M. Wells
-
Article |
The role of fatty acid β-oxidation in lymphangiogenesis
The lymphangiogenic factor PROX1 transcriptionally upregulates CPT1A, a rate-controlling enzyme in fatty acid β-oxidation, and this co-regulates lymphatic endothelial cell differentiation by epigenetic control of lymphatic gene expression, demonstrating a role for metabolism in developmental biology.
- Brian W. Wong
- , Xingwu Wang
- & Peter Carmeliet
-
Letter |
Genetic variants regulating expression levels and isoform diversity during embryogenesis
The effects of genetic variation on transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation are systematically mapped across multiple stages of embryogenesis in eighty inbred Drosophila lines, identifying thousands of quantitative trait loci affecting approximately 17% of expressed genes, often with heteroalleic interactions.
- Enrico Cannavò
- , Nils Koelling
- & Eileen E. M. Furlong
-
Research Highlights |
Genes that make mice youthful
-
Outlook |
Cell-based therapy: Cells on trial
Four regenerative and immune-system therapies taking on the toughest cases of inflammatory bowel disease.
- Eric Bender
-
News |
Why humans develop sex cells as embryos — but corals don't
Drive to preserve mitochondrial quality might explain why organisms develop sex cells at different stages of development.
- Philip Ball
-
News |
Historic decision allows UK researchers to trial ‘three person’ babies
Fertility regulator says mitochondrial-replacement therapy can be trialled — but only in some cases.
- Ewen Callaway
-
Review Article |
Stem cells and interspecies chimaeras
A comprehensive review into mammalian interspecies chimaeras, documenting the advances that have occurred alongside developments in stem-cell biology and assessing the future of the field, including any possible ethical and legal issues.
- Jun Wu
- , Henry T. Greely
- & Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte
-
News & Views |
Replacing the cell's power plants
Nuclear DNA from human eggs that harbour mutations in the DNA of organelles called mitochondria has been successfully transferred to donor eggs, bringing the prospect of therapy for mitochondrial diseases a step closer. See Letter p.270
- Eric A. Shoubridge
-
News & Views |
Cause and consequence in aged-muscle decline
Activation of aged muscle stem cells induces changes in DNA packaging that lead to expression of the gene Hoxa9. This reactivates embryonic signalling pathways, restricting the cells' ability to repair injured muscle. See Letter p.428
- Susan Eliazer
- & Andrew S. Brack
-
News |
UK moves closer to allowing ‘three-parent’ babies
Scientists say mitochondrial-replacement therapy is ready for tests in the clinic.
- Ewen Callaway
-
News |
Experimental treatments aim to prevent brain damage in babies
Advances in neuroscience are driving the development of therapies that could save thousands of the most vulnerable patients.
- Erika Check Hayden
-
Article |
m6A modulates neuronal functions and sex determination in Drosophila
One of the most abundant modifications found in messenger RNAs is N6-methyladenosine (m6A); here, this modification is shown to alter gene expression during sex determination and affect neuronal functions and behaviour in Drosophila via the m6A reader protein YT521-B.
- Tina Lence
- , Junaid Akhtar
- & Jean-Yves Roignant
-
Letter |
Mitochondrial replacement in human oocytes carrying pathogenic mitochondrial DNA mutations
Analysis of mitochondrial replacement therapy shows, even with efficient mutant mitochondrial DNA replacement and maintenance in embryonic stem cells, a gradual loss of donor mitochondrial DNA in some lines owing to a polymorphism in the D-loop, potentially causing preferential replication of specific mitochondrial DNA haplotypes.
- Eunju Kang
- , Jun Wu
- & Shoukhrat Mitalipov
-
Letter |
m6A potentiates Sxl alternative pre-mRNA splicing for robust Drosophila sex determination
Two complementary studies describe how the pervasive N6-methyladenosine modification in mRNA can affect Drosophila sex determination, neuronal function and behaviour.
- Irmgard U. Haussmann
- , Zsuzsanna Bodi
- & Matthias Soller
-
Research Highlights |
'Mini-guts' made with nerves
-
-
Brief Communications Arising |
Ephrin Bs and canonical Reelin signalling
- Theresa Pohlkamp
- , Lei Xiao
- & Joachim Herz
-
Letter |
Inhibition of mTOR induces a paused pluripotent state
Inhibition of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) suspends mouse blastocyst development and the cells remain ‘paused’ in a reversible pluripotent state, allowing prolonged culture.
- Aydan Bulut-Karslioglu
- , Steffen Biechele
- & Miguel Ramalho-Santos
-
Letter |
Synthetic recording and in situ readout of lineage information in single cells
A new system, termed MEMOIR, allows cells to record lineage and gene expression history within their own genome in a format that can be read out in single cells in situ.
- Kirsten L. Frieda
- , James M. Linton
- & Long Cai
-
Letter |
Designer matrices for intestinal stem cell and organoid culture
The authors have designed modular synthetic hydrogel networks for mouse and human intestinal stem cell cultures that support intestinal organoid formation.
- Nikolce Gjorevski
- , Norman Sachs
- & Matthias P. Lutolf
-
Books & Arts |
Neuroscience: Tide of forgetting
Michael Heneka applauds a sweeping survey of dementia that explores research, diagnosis and care.
- Michael Heneka
-
News Feature |
How to defeat dementia
Three things are needed to turn the tide on the costliest crisis in health care.
- Elie Dolgin
-
-
Article |
Developmental mechanisms of stripe patterns in rodents
Alx3-induced modulation of Mitf expression alters melanocyte differentiation and gives rise to the hair colour differences underlying the repeated evolution of dorsal stripes in rodents.
- Ricardo Mallarino
- , Corneliu Henegar
- & Hopi E. Hoekstra
-
Outlook |
Diagnosis: Warning signs
Non-motor symptoms such as sleep disorders and a poor sense of smell may hold the key to diagnosing Parkinson's disease before the characteristic tremor starts.
- Katherine Bourzac
-
Letter |
Transcription of the non-coding RNA upperhand controls Hand2 expression and heart development
Transcription of a long non-coding RNA, known as upperhand (Uph) located upstream of the HAND2 transcription factor is required to maintain transcription of the Hand2 gene by RNA polymerase, and blockade of Uph expression leads to heart defects and embryonic lethality in mice.
- Kelly M. Anderson
- , Douglas M. Anderson
- & Eric N. Olson
-
Letter |
TET-mediated DNA demethylation controls gastrulation by regulating Lefty–Nodal signalling
Inactivation of three Tet genes in mice leads to gastrulation phenotypes similar to those in embryos with increased Nodal signalling, revealing a functional redundancy of Tet genes and showing balanced and dynamic DNA methylation and demethylation is crucial to regulate key signalling pathways in early body plan formation.
- Hai-Qiang Dai
- , Bang-An Wang
- & Guo-Liang Xu
-
News |
Scientists up stakes in bet on whether humans will live to 150
Winner's descendants could scoop hundreds of millions of dollars by the middle of next century.
- Nic Fleming
-
News |
Mouse eggs made from skin cells in a dish
Breakthrough raises call for debate over prospect of artificial human eggs.
- David Cyranoski
Japanese man is first to receive 'reprogrammed' stem cells from another person
Frontiers in biology
Ageing, neurodegeneration and brain rejuvenationBrowse broader subjects
Browse narrower subjects
- Ageing
- Angiogenesis
- Bone development
- Bone remodelling
- Cartilage development
- Cell growth
- Cell proliferation
- Ciliogenesis
- Differentiation
- Disease model
- Embryogenesis
- Embryology
- Epigenetic memory
- Experimental organisms
- Germline development
- Haematopoiesis
- Intrauterine growth
- Lymphangiogenesis
- Morphogenesis
- Neurogenesis
- Organogenesis
- Pattern formation
- Pluripotency
- Reprogramming
- Self-renewal
- Senescence
- Stem-cell niche
- Stem cells
- Transdifferentiation
