Mosaic Analysis News Today

Growing neurons gain an edge by making connections A little competition is never a bad thing, especially when it comes to fledging neurons growing in the brain, finds a new Stanford University study. In a first of its kind study, researchers led by Stanford biologist Liqun Luo used genetic experiments and computer models to shed light on two important steps of brain development in young mice: the growth of branching extensions on the bodies of neurons, called dendrites, and the connections th...

First of its kind study reveals dynamic interactions between dendritic growth and synaptic connectivity in the brain cells of developing mice. ...

Date Time CRISPR improves method for studying gene functions Since the genetics revolution, biologists have been working to understand the roles that individual genes play, often with the help of advanced techniques. One such method, mosaic analysis, has led to many discoveries of the functions of genes. Although mosaic analysis has been widely used in Drosophila, a popular model organism, it is much harder to implement in other organisms. A new paper describes a technique called Mosaic Analysi...