
Longevity gene from naked mole rats extends lifespan of mice
The successful gene transfer paves the way for improving the health and lifespan of humans, too.

The hidden role of lipid droplets in fertility and beyond
Research on fruit flies led by Michael Welte, a professor of biology, finds that lipid droplets play a role in cellular changes necessary for the growth of the egg—and could affect fertility in myriad organisms.

Yellowjackets welcome certification as a Bee Campus USA
The national designation from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is the result of a two-year, student-led effort.

Unlocking the power of photosynthesis for clean energy production
A new grant will allow Rochester researchers to leverage bacteria and nanomaterials to mimic photosynthesis and produce clean-burning hydrogen fuel.

The ethics of dark tourism
Julia Granato crisscrossed Europe to study human bone collection and display sites. Now she’s pondering what it means to display and visit human remains.

Rochester students develop award-winning devices to ‘save syrup’
A team of Rochester undergraduates was recognized in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition for developing solutions to problems in the maple syrup industry.

Birds of a feather flock together?
Maria Castaño, a third-year PhD student in biology, studies populations of birds to understand the processes that lead to the creation of new species.

Bioplastics made of bacteria can reduce plastic waste in oceans
A team of scientists, including biology professor Anne S. Meyer, is developing plastic materials that degrade in oceans.

Paper wasp parasites turn hosts into long-lived ‘zombies’
University of Rochester undergraduate students and their biology professor study what paper wasps—and the parasites that manipulate them—can tell us about evolution, aging, and group living.

‘Supergene’ wreaks havoc in a genome
Rochester biologists have for the first time used population genomics to study a selfish ‘supergene’ known as Segregation Distorter (SD) that skews genetic inheritance.