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Scientists have identified a natural barrier to the regeneration of the inner ear’s sensory cells, which are lost in hearing and balance disorders. Overcoming this barrier may be a first step in returning inner ear cells to a newborn-like state that’s primed for regeneration.

Researchers have shown that in melanoma, damage from sunlight primes the DNA by creating "premutations" that become full mutations during DNA replication.

Researchers are creating new tools for optogenetics, a method that shines a light on specific neurons in the brain to excite or suppress activity. Optogenetics experiments are aimed at increasing understanding of how the brain works, allowing scientists to develop and test potential cures for illnesses such as neurodegenerative diseases.

Research has upended common assumptions about the chemical stability of double-stranded RNA that may prove useful to fields from agriculture to medicine. The lab’s findings even may have implications for our understanding of the origins of life.

The spike protein is found on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 and is responsible for its entry into host cells. Because of this function, it is the focus of most COVID-19 vaccines. A study has revealed foundational characteristics of the spike protein.

Cells remember tissue inflammation in order to respond more efficiently. Researchers have described the mechanism behind inflammatory memory and have suggested that the phenomenon may be universal across diverse cell types.

Isolating drug-like molecules hidden in the genomes of Streptomyces bacteria has proved challenging. Now, biologists are using comparative metabologenomics to try to uncover what may be preventing it from producing desirable compounds encoded by its genes.

Researcher have identified a gene in Mycobacterium tuberculosis that suppresses immune defenses in infected human cells.

Conventional optogenetics involves invasive implantation of optical fibers in target brain tissues. This is especially challenging for deep areas of the brain owing to extensive tissue damage. Now, researchers have finally overcome this challenge by using X-rays to penetrate deep regions of the brain.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive and fatal degenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Researchers have found a possible starting point for the dysfunction that causes the disease.