Unit News

Research Update

Turning the Volume of Gene Expression Up and Down

Scientists at OIST and the Janelia Research Campus have shown that gene expression in a fruit fly embryo can be accurately and predictably tuned.

Research Update

Decoding DNA’s Phonebook

High-res genome catalogue captures long-distance calls between DNA segments that may influence diseases

Research Update

Two OIST Units Team Up to Probe Life’s Beginnings

As we grow, an intricate choreography of genetic controls begins to differentiate our cells, turning some genes off and others up to full-blast, eventually yielding fully-formed animals. Researchers at OIST are working to learn more about this choreography.

Research Update

Fly spit yields find about genetic controls and differences between sexes

In a paper published yesterday in Science, a team of researchers that includes OIST's Nick Luscombe shows that the long-accepted view of how male fruit flies manipulate their genes’ activity should be revised. Their finding shows how cells use a single, crucial regulator to change the activity of large numbers of genes at the same time.

Research Update

Genetic Mutation Isn’t So Random After All

A team led by Nicholas Luscombe has answered a key question about the mechanism of genetic mutation and evolution. His new study shows that living things are able to tightly guard their most valuable genes, while leaving others more vulnerable to chance mutations.