Tag: Department of Biology
‘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.
Understanding the biology of grief through dance
Erin Dong ’18 didn’t start dancing until she came to college. Now as she graduates with a double major in biology and dance, she is combining her two fields to explore how the body experiences both the emotional and physical aspects of grieving.
Scientists discover gene controlling genetic recombination rates
Some species have evolved to display far more genetic crossover than others, and scientists in Rochester have discovered a gene in fruit flies that is responsible for the evolution of these recombination rates.
Thesis competition winner describes protein translation in 3 minutes or less
Jillian Ramos showed exactly how to capture an audience’s attention – and hold it – at the third annual Three Minute Thesis Competition finals, winning both first place and the people’s choice prize.