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Kidney stones have distinct geological histories

[ ] A geologist, a microscopist and a doctor walk into a lab and, with their colleagues from across the nation, make a discovery that overturns centuries of thought about the nature…

Unusual biosynthetic pathway offers a key to future natural product discovery

[ ] Bacteria are master engineers of small, biologically useful molecules. A new study in Nature Communications (DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06083-7) has revealed one of the tricks of…

Workshop seeks common ground in development and behavior research

[ ] A workshop held at the IGB this summer set out to bridge the gap between research in animal development and research in animal behavior. The two-day workshop brought together…

Researchers develop “cytological ruler” to build 3D map of human genome

[ ] It has been almost 20 years since the human genome was first sequenced, but researchers still know little about how the genome is folded up and organized within cells. In a new…

A professor not afraid to cross academic boundaries

[ ] Ask Ruby Mendenhall about the scope of her activities, and you’re quickly overwhelmed. Ask her to illustrate how they all connect, and you’ll soon have a page full of circles,…

New CRISPR technique skips over portions of genes that can cause disease

[ ] In a new study in cells, University of Illinois researchers have adapted CRISPR gene-editing technology to cause the cell’s internal machinery to skip over a small portion of a…

A unique combination of catalysts opens doors to making useful compounds

[ ] Researchers have developed a new method that aids in the process of making valuable compounds by using a unique combination of catalysts. A study published in Nature reported a…

Ancient virus defends koalas against new viral attacks

[ ] The human genome is riddled with endogenous retroviruses – little pieces of degraded and generally harmless retrovirus DNA passed down through the generations, along with our own…

Donor Spotlight: Sandra Perry Sigman

[ ] In 2009, Sandra Perry Sigman visited the University of Illinois campus with her husband David and son, Ryan. As an alumna of the School of Labor & Employment Relations…

Sequenced fox genome hints at genetic basis of behavior

[ ] For nearly 60 years, the red fox has been teaching scientists about animal behavior. In a long-term experiment, foxes at the Russian Institute of Cytology and Genetics have been…

Illinois iGEM team takes on CABBI-funded synthetic biology project

[ ] This summer, a group of undergraduate students has teamed up with CABBI researchers to pursue an ambitious research project. Their work is in preparation for the International…

Genomic study ties insect evolution to the ability to detect airborne odors

[ ] A new study reveals that all insects use specialized odorant receptors that enable them to detect and pursue mates, identify enemies, find food and – unfortunately for humans –…

Molecular probe illuminates elusive cancer stem cells in live mice

[ ] After a primary tumor is treated, cancer stem cells may still lurk in the body, ready to metastasize and cause a recurrence of the cancer in a form that’s more aggressive and…

In darters, male competition drives evolution of flashy fins, bodies

[ ] Scientists once thought that female mate choice alone accounted for the eye-catching color patterns seen in some male fish. But for orangethroat darters, male-to-male competition…

Researchers first to sequence rare bacteria cause of rampant tooth decay

[ ] The most prevalent chronic disease in both children and adults, tooth decay occurs when the good and bad bacteria in our mouth become imbalanced. The bad bacteria, Streptococcus…

Study explores risk factors linked to chikungunya and dengue outbreaks

[ ] In one of the largest studies of its kind, researchers analyzed chikungunya and dengue outbreak data from 76 countries over a period of 50 years, focusing on regions across the…

Chemicals that keep drinking water flowing may also cause fouling

[ ] Many city drinking water systems add softening agents to keep plumbing free of pipe-clogging mineral buildup. According to new research, these additives may amplify the risk of…

"Stable marriages" between microbes, nutrients they eat may explain diverse yet stable communities

[ ] A mathematical model created by IGB researchers could help scientists better understand an intriguing characteristic of microbial communities: their ability to achieve stability…

Products of omega-3 fatty acid metabolism may have anticancer effects

[ ] A class of molecules formed when the body metabolizes omega-3 fatty acids could inhibit cancer’s growth and spread, University of Illinois researchers report in a new study in…

Wearable device can predict older adults’ risk of falling

[ ] Every year, more than one in three individuals aged 65 and older will experience a fall. Falls are the most common cause of injury in older adults, and can create ongoing health…