Cell Biologist

  Neil Hunter, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, has discovered a crucial step in how chromosomes stay connected during the development for egg cells and sperm, helping to prevent fertility problems. Photo shows paired chromosomes with crossovers in a mouse oocyte. Credit: Hunter lab/UC Davis When a woman becomes pregnant, the outcome of that pregnancy depends on many things -- including a crucial event that happened while she was still growing inside her own mother's womb. It depends on the quality of the egg cells that were already forming inside her fetal ovaries. The DNA -containing chromosomes in those cells must be cut, spliced and sorted perfectly. In males, the same process produces sperm in the testes but occurs only after puberty. "If that goes wrong, then you end up with the wrong number of chromosomes in the eggs or sperm," said Neil Hunter, a professor in the Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics at the Universi...

  "The Green Revolution massively boosted agriculture output during the middle of the last century," says Baoshan Xing, University Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Soil Chemistry, director of UMass' Stockbridge School of Agriculture, and co-senior author of the new research. "But that revolution is running out of steam. We need to figure out a way to fix it and make it work." Part of what made the Green Revolution so revolutionary was the invention of synthetic, nitrogen-heavy fertilizers that could keep agricultural yields high. But they're expensive to make, they create an enormous amount of carbon dioxide, and much of the fertilizer washes away. Most crops only use about 40-60% of the nitrogen applied to them, a measurement known as nitrogen use efficiency, or NUE, and the NUE of rice can be as low as 30% -- which means that 70% of what a farmer puts on their fields washes away into streams, lakes and the oceans, causing eutrophication, dead z...

  The United States has witnessed a sharp increase in infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, particularly those carrying the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) gene. Between 2019 and 2023, cases surged by nearly 70 percent, raising public health concerns. This trend is part of a broader global challenge involving antimicrobial resistance. Current Situation in the United States Data from 29 states reveal 4,341 carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections in 2023. Of these, 1,831 cases involved bacteria with the NDM gene. These bacteria severely limit treatment options as they can resist carbapenems, the last line of defence antibiotics. The rise in NDM cases alone increased by 460 percent from 2019 to 2023. Many carriers remain undetected, increasing the risk of community spread. Mechanism of Drug Resistance Bacteria develop resistance by evolving mechanisms to neutralise antibiotics. Misuse of antibiotics, such as incomplete treatment courses or unnecessary prescriptions, acce...

  Recent research from Madura College in Madurai has led to the discovery of a new plant species in the Kudremukh range of the Western Ghats , Karnataka. Named ‘Impatiens selvasinghii’, this species honours Professor P Selva Singh Richard for his extensive work on the reproductive biology of endemic and endangered plants in the region. This discovery adds to the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and marks conservation challenges linked to tourism. Discovery and Naming Researchers collected the specimen at Kudremukh peak, 1,630 metres above sea level. Detailed study showed it was previously unrecorded. The new species was named ‘Impatiens selvasinghii’ to honour Professor Selva Singh Richard’s two decades of botanical research and mentorship in the Western Ghats. The finding was published in the international journal Taiwania. Botanical Characteristics ‘Impatiens selvasinghii’ is notable for having the smallest flowers among balsams in the Western Ghats. It features prominently...

  The rain-soaked pine forests of the East Khasi Hills in Meghalaya have revealed a new edible mushroom species. Named Lactifluus khasianus, this fungus has long been known to the Khasi tribal communities as Tit iongnah. The discovery was confirmed through modern scientific methods including DNA sequencing . It marks the intersection of indigenous knowledge and contemporary science in biodiversity research. Recent Discovery and Scientific Validation A team of researchers from the Botanical Survey of India’s Eastern Regional Centre, St. Xavier’s College (Dumka), and Mahidol University, Thailand, identified the mushroom. They used field surveys, microscopic examination, and genetic analysis. Lactifluus khasianus belongs to the milkcap genus Lactifluus, section Gerardii. It is distinct for its chocolate-brown cap and larger cystidia compared to related species. It grows symbiotically with Khasi pine trees at around 1,600 metres altitude. Significance to Khasi Tribal Communities For th...

  Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is rapidly spreading among children in Delhi and neighbouring Haryana in 2025. Health authorities and schools have issued advisories to contain the infection . The disease mainly affects children under ten years of age and has no specific treatment. Preventive care and home management remain the key responses. What is Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease? HFMD is a contagious viral illness. It primarily affects children but can infect any age group. The main virus responsible is coxsackievirus A16. The disease spreads easily through air and close contact. Symptoms appear 3 to 6 days after infection. Symptoms and Signs Initial symptoms include high fever and sore throat. Painful blisters develop in the mouth, hands, and feet. The rash may also appear on the buttocks. Mouth sores cause difficulty in eating and drinking. The rash is usually non-itchy and may vary in colour based on skin tone. HFMD spreads through respiratory droplets, direct contact with ...

  Now, for the first time, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) plant biologists have mapped two known stem cell regulators across thousands of maize and Arabidopsis shoot cells. Their research also uncovered new stem cell regulators in both species and linked some to size variations in maize. This method for recovering rare stem cells could be used across the plant kingdom. CSHL Professor David Jackson explains: "Ideally, we would like to know how to make a stem cell. It would enable us to regenerate plants better. It would allow us to understand plant diversity. One thing people are very excited about is breeding new crops that are more resilient or more productive. We don't yet have a full list of regulators -- the genes we need to do that." Jackson and his colleagues first focused on two well-known stem cell regulators called CLAVATA3 and WUSCHEL. A former postdoc in Jackson's lab, Xiaosa Xu, delicately dissected a small piece of maize and Arabidopsis shoots cont...

  Sarcoidosis remains a complex inflammatory disease affecting multiple organs. Recent research marks its variable course and the critical role of early diagnosis . This knowledge base page summarises key facts and insights for better understanding of sarcoidosis. What Is Sarcoidosis? Sarcoidosis is an immune disorder where clusters of inflammatory cells called granulomas form in organs. The lungs are most commonly affected. The exact cause is unknown but involves genetic factors, immune overactivity, and environmental triggers. Granulomas disrupt normal organ function and may lead to complications. Common Symptoms of Sarcoidosis Symptoms depend on the organs involved. Lung sarcoidosis causes cough, breathlessness, and chest discomfort. Skin symptoms include rashes and nodules. Eye involvement can lead to redness and blurred vision. Some patients show no symptoms and are diagnosed incidentally. Fatigue and weight loss are also common signs. Organ-Specific Effects Lung involvement ...

  Scientists have developed a synthetic pathway to produce guava plant molecules that combat liver cancer. This innovation could transform treatment options and inspire worldwide research partnerships. Credit: Shutterstock You may not be aware that most of the medicines that have been approved for treatment are rooted in nature. For example, the bark of willow trees has been called nature's aspirin because it contains a chemical called salicin. The human body converts salicin into salicylic acid, which relieves pain and fights fevers. New research by William Chain, associate professor in the University of Delaware's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and his lab, uses a molecule found in a tropical fruit to offer hope in the fight against liver-related cancers, one of the world's top causes of cancer deaths. Using a process called natural product total synthesis, Chain and his lab group have invented a pathway that uses widely available chemicals to create molecule...

  But new research from Stanford, published Sept. 9 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed Arctic diatoms aren't immobile or entombed. They're not just surviving either - they're gliding into the record books. "This is not 1980s-movie cryobiology. The diatoms are as active as we can imagine until temperatures drop all the way down to -15 C, which is super surprising," said Manu Prakash, associate professor of bioengineering in the Schools of Engineering and Medicine and senior author of the paper. That temperature (5 F) is the lowest ever recorded for movement by a eukaryotic cell - the type of complex cells in plants, animals, fungi, and more, defined by having a nucleus inside a membrane. "You can see the diatoms actually gliding, like they are skating on the ice," said lead author and Stanford postdoctoral scholar Qing Zhang, who collected the samples during an Arctic research expedition. She and her colleagues demonstrated not o...

  India has recently licensed multiple pharmaceutical companies to manufacture and commercialise its first indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine. Developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and its partners, the vaccine targets the malaria parasite before it enters the bloodstream. It offers a stable, affordable, and scalable solution effective for over nine months at room temperature. This breakthrough aims to reduce malaria transmission and burden in India and beyond. Development and Technology Transfer The vaccine, named AdFalciVax, is a recombinant chimeric multi-stage vaccine against *Plasmodium falciparum*. ICMR invited eligible companies for ‘Transfer of Technology’ to facilitate large-scale production and commercialisation. The ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre in Bhubaneswar led the technology development using *Lactococcus lactis* as the production platform. Pre-clinical validation was done in collaboration with the National Institute of Malaria Resea...

  "Flatheads grow fast in this river system, attain large body sizes and can eat a variety of prey," said study first author Olivia Hodgson, a master's degree student in Penn State's Intercollege Graduate Degree Program in Ecology. "Because adult flatheads have few natural predators, flathead catfish can exert strong control over the ecosystem." Hodgson is working with Tyler Wagner, a scientist with the USGS Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit Program and a Penn State affiliate professor of fisheries ecology. He is senior author on the study. In findings published Sept. 4 in Ecology, the researchers reported that flathead catfish are apex predators. Flatheads had the highest trophic position -- the level an organism occupies in a food web, based on its feeding relationships -- even higher than resident top predators such as smallmouth bass and channel catfish. Channel catfish had a lower trophic position in areas with flathead catfish. ...

  Recent research has uncovered a hidden role of the protein p47 in protecting other proteins from mechanical stress inside cells. This discovery could lead to new treatments for diseases where protein stability under force is impaired. Scientists at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences (SNBNCBS) demonstrated that p47 acts as a mechanical chaperone, stabilising proteins under physical strain. This challenges previous views that p47 was only an accessory helper to the cellular machine p97. The findings open new avenues in understanding cellular mechanics and protein quality control. Role of Mechanical Stress in Cells Proteins inside cells constantly face mechanical forces. These arise during vital processes like transport, degradation, and cytoskeletal changes. Such forces can cause proteins to unfold or misfold, affecting their function. Cellular health depends on proteins maintaining their shape despite these stresses. Until now, canonical chaperones were known to a...

  The scientists found that eukaryotes -- complex cellular lifeforms that eventually evolved into the diverse multicellular life we see today -- could have survived the global freeze by living in shallow pools of water. These small, watery oases may have persisted atop relatively shallow ice sheets present in equatorial regions. There, the ice surface could accumulate dark-colored dust and debris from below, which enhanced its ability to melt into pools. At temperatures hovering around 0 degrees Celsius, the resulting meltwater ponds could have served as habitable environments for certain forms of early complex life. The team drew its conclusions based on an analysis of modern-day meltwater ponds. Today in Antarctica, small pools of melted ice can be found along the margins of ice sheets. The conditions along these polar ice sheets are similar to what likely existed along ice sheets near the equator during Snowball Earth. The researchers analyzed samples from a variety of meltwate...

  While the role of ABA in drought response is well-established, researchers have now identified a surprising contributor to this process: myosin XI, a motor protein traditionally known for transporting cellular components. To explore this, a team of researchers led by Professor Motoki Tominaga from Waseda University, Japan, conducted a study to determine whether myosin XI actively contributes to drought response in plants and to uncover the processes involved. "Although previous studies have suggested a potential involvement of myosin XI in drought stress responses, the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear," shares Tominaga. The findings of this research were published in Volume 44 of Plant Cell Reports on June 19, 2025. The study was co-authored by Graduate Student Haiyang Liu, also from Waseda University. The results were striking. Plants lacking myosin XI, especially the 2ko and 3ko mutants, showed a higher rate of water loss, impaired stomatal closure, and lower ...

  Recent data from 43 cancer registries in India show a lifetime cancer risk of 11%. In 2024, an estimated 15.6 lakh new cancer cases and 8.74 lakh deaths were recorded. These registries cover 10% to 18% of the population across 23 states and Union Territories. The findings reveal important trends in cancer types, regional variations, and risk factors that inform policy and healthcare strategies. Cancer Burden in India Cancer cases in India show gender difference. Women account for 51.1% of cases but only 45% of deaths. This is largely due to the types of cancers common in women, such as breast and cervical cancer, which are easier to detect early and treat effectively. Men face more deadly cancers like lung and gastric cancer, which are harder to diagnose early. Shift in Common Cancer Types Oral cancer has become the most common cancer in Indian men, surpassing lung cancer. This rise occurs despite a decline in tobacco use from 34.6% to 28.6% between 2009-10 and 2016-17. The long ...

  Published online in the journal Cell Reports, the study used a mouse model of stomach injury to provide new insights into how cells heal, or fail to heal, in response to damage, such as from an infection or inflammatory disease. "After an injury, the cell's job is to repair that injury. But the cell's mature cellular machinery for doing its normal job gets in the way," said first author Jeffrey W. Brown, MD, PhD, an assistant professor of medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at WashU Medicine. "So, this cellular cleanse is a quick way of getting rid of that machinery so it can rapidly become a small, primitive cell capable of proliferating and repairing the injury. We identified this process in the GI tract, but we suspect it is relevant in other tissues as well." Brown likened the process to a "vomiting" or jettisoning of waste that essentially adds a shortcut, helping the cell declutter and focus on regrowing healthy tissues faster than...

  Kerala confronted a new health crisis after a cluster of fatal brain infections emerged in Kozhikode and neighbouring districts. The cause was identified as Naegleria fowleri , a rare but deadly amoeba that infects the brain through contaminated freshwater. This outbreak exposed vulnerabilities in the state’s healthcare system despite its reputation for strong public health infrastructure. Naegleria Fowleri Naegleria fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater bodies like ponds, wells, and rivers. It enters the human body through the nose and rapidly destroys brain tissue, causing primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM). First identified in 1965 in Australia, it has since caused outbreaks globally, especially in warm climates. Kerala reported its first death in 2016, but the 2024 surge marked an unprecedented increase in cases. Recent Outbreaks The 2024 outbreak saw 29 confirmed cases mostly in southern Kerala districts. Unlike global fatality rates exceeding 97%, ...

  Recent research has confirmed the presence of the rare dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea in the high-elevation areas of the southern Western Ghats . Earlier, this species was often confused with the widespread lowland species Crocothemis servilia. This rediscovery marks the significance of detailed field studies and modern scientific methods in biodiversity documentation. Species Overview The genus Crocothemis in India includes two species – Crocothemis servilia and Crocothemis erythraea. C. servilia is common in lowland regions. C. erythraea, however, prefers cooler, high-altitude habitats. It is known from parts of Europe, Asia, and the Himalayas. The presence of C. erythraea in the Western Ghats was uncertain due to misidentification and lack of physical evidence. Field Expeditions and Identification Between 2019 and 2023, multiple field expeditions were conducted in high-altitude sites such as Wagamon, Rajakumari, Pampadum Shola, and Parambikulam. Specimens were collect...