The Gurdon Institute

Small RNAs in a novel model organism: the sparrow

The Miska lab under Katharina Gapp provide a descriptive study of small RNAs in sperm sourced from old and young sparrows. The ability to use this working model from the wild, from which samples can be taken repeatedly and non-invasively, will provide further insights into inter- and trans-generational inheritance. Previously, sparrow paternal age has been shown to affect offspring fitness but the mechanism is unknown.

Discovering gene circuits

Gene circuits are responsible for a wide variety of cell functions and tissue behaviours. Simons group member Tom Hiscock developed a computational algorithm to predict the types of circuits that would execute specific functions such as counting pulses or generating stripes. The circuits can also be used in synthetic biology, for example to direct growth and behaviour of organoids.

Bipotent stem cells in embryonic liver

The Huch and Simons labs examined the developing mouse liver using cell lineage tracing and single-cell RNA sequencing. They identified a sub-population of hepatoblasts that express the adult stem cell marker Lgr5+ and show these cells are bipotent, i.e. they can generate both of the two main cell types in the adult liver: hepatocytes that make up the bulk of liver tissue and cholangiocytes that form the bile ducts.

New cell type in tail regeneration

Researchers in the Gurdon and Simons labs working under Jerome Jullien have identified a new cell type involved in regeneration of tadpole tails. They've named the Regeneration-Organizing Cells for their role in promoting and coordinating new tissue growth after amputation, and hope to find clues in these cells to inform new approaches to regeneration in mammals.

Transmissible RNA pathway in honey bees

The Miska lab's Eyal Maori along with colleagues in UK, Israel and the USA have discovered a pathway by which honey bees share RNA through secretion and ingestion of worker and royal jellies, offering a promising route for administering bee 'vaccines'. In addition, the researchers identified a specific protein in royal jelly that binds and protects the RNA in granules while outside the body.

RNA modification pathway affects cancer cell migration

Pandolfini, Barbieri and colleagues have characterised an 'epitranscriptomic' pathway with effects on lung cancer cell behaviour in vitro. They developed a technique to precisely locate which guanosine on a micro RNA called let-7 was modified with a methyl group, regulating its processing and downstream action to suppress cell migration.

Considering postgraduate research?

If you're thinking about doing a PhD at Cambridge or even at the Gurdon Institute, there will be more information on offer at the next Postgraduate Open Day, Friday 1 November 2019. The Institute will have a stand at the central exhibition hub over lunchtime. You can also see our guidance under the 'Join us' tab above.

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The frog room: our source of eggs

Hear from our aquatics services manager about the joys of looking after African Clawed Frogs in order to supply eggs for research in several Gurdon Institute labs.

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Hansong Ma and her 3-parent flies

Hansong Ma joins our previous line-up of group leaders to explain her research in this short video. She uses 'three-parent' flies to research how DNA specific to mitochondria is transmitted from one generation to the next, with effects on ageing, longevity and fertility. This work can also improve our understanding of human mitochondrial diseases.

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Daniel St Johnston describes his research

In our new short video you can hear why the St Johnston lab studies cell polarity in epithelia, and what they have discovered about the process that makes one side of a cell different from the other. Over 80% of cancers arise from epithelial cells, and loss of polarity is one of the hallmarks of cancer.

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Who's that working in the basement?

A crack team of specialists is working on a high-tech project in the basement of the Gurdon Institute....building super-resolution microscopes! Find out more in our video.

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