Tag: Department of Biology
Researchers create artificial mother-of-pearl using bacteria
Nacre, also known as mother-of-pearl, is an exceptionally tough natural material found in shells and pearls. Rochester biologists have developed an innovative method for creating nacre in the lab—and maybe on the moon.
Unraveling the origin story of beer yeast
Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or brewer’s yeast, has been used to make beer for thousands of years. To reconstruct the history of modern ale strains, Rochester biologist Justin Fay and his colleagues sequenced the genome of modern brewer’s yeast.
CAREER awards spur junior researchers along varied paths
Four Rochester researchers from four different fields are 2019 recipients of the National Science Foundation’s most prestigious recognition for junior faculty members.
‘Selfish’ genetics amplify inflammation, age-related diseases
Research from Rochester biologists shows that a class of genomic parasites may cause more harm than previously thought, triggering inflammation that causes age-related diseases.
Rochester scientists receive Sloan fellowships
Biologist Nancy Chen and chemist Ellen Matson are among this year’s recipients of Sloan Research Fellowships, recognizing young scientists for their research accomplishments and leadership in the scientific community.
Male Y chromosomes not ‘genetic wastelands’
The Y chromosome is one piece of the genetic puzzle that is notoriously difficult to sequence. Rochester biologists are finding new insights into the processes that shape the Y chromosome.
What makes a species different?
New Rochester research points to the presence of “selfish genes,” whose flow among species may dictate whether two species converge or diverge.
Researchers target protein that protects bacteria’s DNA ‘recipes’
In a new study, Rochester biologists describe some of the unique characteristics of the protein that makes bacterial like E. coli so resilient. Their research may lead to more targeted antibiotics and other drug therapies.
Lipid droplets play crucial roles beyond fat storage
You may not know it, but whenever you eat cheese, ice cream, or yogurt, you are also ingesting microscopic lipid droplets. Long thought of merely as formless blobs of fat, lipids are now proving crucial for understanding how embryos survive and how obesity affects the body.
Honorary professorships awarded for excellence in teaching
John Tarduno has been awarded the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professorship, and Thomas Eickbush and James Zavislan are recipients of the Mercer Brugler Distinguished Teaching Professorship.