Developmental Biology

Optically controlled rotation of a worm embryo in its eggshell using FLUCS

With FLUCS, the development of embryos can be controlled more

Pioneer factor Nr5a2 (red) binds to the still inactive DNA wrapped around histones (gray), of a fertilized egg cell. Thereby, it awakens the genome. Now genes can be read that are necessary for the development of an embryo.

Researchers have discovered that the pioneer factor Nr5a2 can wake up the inactive genome in the early embryo more

Zombie viruses on a hijacking trip

Ancient dormant sequences in the genome impact embryonic development in unexpected ways more

Mapping RNA signatures in neurons

Max Planck researchers show the precise temporal protein orchestration for correct brain development more

Illustration showing a tangle of DNA helices and triangular shapes, one of which is breaking up into pieces

Layers of gene control allow DNA to flexibly add new information more

A missing ‘motor’ causes our eggs to fail

Human eggs are missing an important protein, which acts as a molecular motor, as researchers have found out. Their findings open up new avenues for therapeutic approaches that could reduce chromosome segregation errors in human eggs. more

The Domino effect

A maternal protein is required to activate the genome of the embryo more

"Fish are not stupid, they're just different!"

Fish are his passion. Alex Jordan wants to know why they do what they do. An interview with the behavioural biologist more

 Humboldt Fellow Inès Pons sheds light on bacterial symbioses

Funding for research project on how bacteria help leaf beetles digest their meals more

Difficult decisions in the cell nucleus

Inactivation of the X chromosome is more dynamic and complex than previously thought more

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Optically controlled rotation of a worm embryo in its eggshell using FLUCS

With FLUCS, the development of embryos can be controlled more

Zombie viruses on a hijacking trip

Ancient dormant sequences in the genome impact embryonic development in unexpected ways more

Reading between the lines of the genome

Congenital malformation caused by a so far unknown disease mechanism more

Embryonic development in a Petri dish

3D cell culturing technique could replace mouse embryos more

Moles: intersexual and genetically doped

Duplications and inversions of DNA segments lead to the masculinization of female mole more

Time and brain size – of mice and men

Dresden researchers demonstrate that the length of the neurogenic period is a key determinant for brain size more

Cell diversity in the embryo

Epigenetic factors control the development of an organism more

Friedrich Bonhoeffer receives 2020 Gruber Neuroscience Prize

Award honors groundbreaking work on mechanisms that underlie the formation of neural circuits more

Self-restrained genes enable evolutionary novelty

Evolution can promote novelty by keeping gene expression in check more

Parents’ behavior influences bonding hormone oxytocin in babies

Oxytocin is an extremely important hormone, involved in social interaction and bonding in mammals, including humans more

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A missing ‘motor’ causes our eggs to fail

Human eggs are missing an important protein, which acts as a molecular motor, as researchers have found out. Their findings open up new avenues for therapeutic approaches that could reduce chromosome segregation errors in human eggs. more

"Fish are not stupid, they're just different!"

Fish are his passion. Alex Jordan wants to know why they do what they do. An interview with the behavioural biologist more

From fish to mammal heart

Fish hearts are genetically divided more

A stable shell for artificial cells

Scientists are developing cell-like lipid vesicles which can be populated with natural cell proteins more

Memory for details matures gradually

High-resolution imaging provides new insights into the development of the human brain more

Deceptive teeth

Although the dentition of the wedgefish appear designed to crush shellfish, it also eats stingrays more

Early language development in fast motion

Babies succeed much earlier than previously thought in assigning meanings to words and do not only perceive words as pure sound patterns more

Tracking the mechanisms of artery formation

The notch signal pathway could be the basis for new therapies for cardiovascular diseases more

Epigenetics between the generations

Max Planck researchers prove that we inherit more than just genes more

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