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Polarity axes in Drosophila

Correct body plan formation in Drosophila depends on the establishment of two axes of polarity in the developing oocyte. A new study by Doerflinger et al . of the St Johnston lab shows that the antero-posterior axis requires the activation of Myosin II at the posterior of the oocyte, suggesting that cortical tension may...

Diagram of fruit fly and genetic material in study of human adiposity

Fat flies - a slimmed down model of human obesity

Fruit flies can be used as a novel predictive screening tool for human genetics, says a new study led by the Brand lab’s Neha Agrawal and Catherine Davidson, in collaboration with Sadaf Farooqi. By combining human genetics with genetic screening techniques in fruit flies, the team identified a novel role for the Hippo...

Nashchekin et al 2021 Figure 3B Imaging patronin in the germ cell cyst

Breaking symmetry to establish oocyte identity

Oocyte identity is established inside a cyst of interconnected germ cells but how this occurs is not well understood. Using Drosophila as a model, the St Johnston lab reveal a molecular mechanism underlying the oocyte specification process. Initial asymmetry in the cyst results from unequal divisions during cyst formation...

Genetics of female reproductive longevity

Associate Group Leader John RB Perry and a team of colleagues performed a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) of menopause timing. The findings provide insight into the mechanisms that govern ovarian ageing, when they act, and how they might be targeted by therapeutic approaches to extend fertility and prevent...

Graphical abstract from Gal et al shows DREAM mechanism

DREAM functions are mediated by THAP proteins

Exploring the mechanism of action of DREAM in C. elegans , the Ahringer lab uncovered two THAP domain proteins that co-localise with DREAM and function by different mechanisms to repress distinct gene targets. LIN-36 represses classical cell-cycle targets while LIN-15B represses germline-specific tragets in the soma, and...

Microscopic image of developing rabbit embryo showing PGCs

Tracing the origin of PGCs in rabbit

A study by alumnus Toshi Kobayashi with the Surani group on rabbit embryos shows they provide an essential surrogate model for the inaccessible human embryo, as exemplified by observations on the emergence of primordial germ cells (PGCs) in gastrulating rabbit embryos. The study establishes rabbits as a highly accessible...

Diagram of tissues and techniques in methylome study

Epigenetic divergence in cichlids

The Miska lab and collaborators present a comparative genome-wide methylome and transcriptome study, focussing on liver and muscle tissues in phenotypically divergent cichlid species. In both tissues they find substantial methylome divergence among species. The study lays the groundwork for future epigenomic research in...

Man on a Mission

What does it take to turn an idea into reality? Senior Group Leader Steve Jackson tells of his experience founding three biotech companies in Cambridge, all of which have spun out of his Gurdon Institute research. The story is part of a series from the Cambridge Judge Business School's Entrepreneurship Centre.

Schematic of early embryo features in different animals

Modelling early human development

In this review, Azim Surani and collaborators discuss the advantages of investigations in the pig embryo as an exemplar of development of a bilaminar disc embryo with relevance to early human development. Part of a 'Stem Cell Reports' special issue on embryo models.

Congratulations to two new FRSs

The Gurdon Institute is very proud to announce that two of our scientists have been elected as Fellows of the Royal Society. Our Director Julie Ahringer and Senior Group Leader Ben Simons are newly honoured.

Public engagement award for Institute

The Gurdon Institute is the first part of the University of Cambridge to receive a Silver Engage Watermark from the National Co-ordinating Centre for Public Engagement. The award acknowledges the strategic support for public engagement across the Institute, as well as the plans to develop this work in the future.

The Gurdon Institute

Polarity axes in Drosophila

Fat flies - a slimmed down model of human obesity

Breaking symmetry to establish oocyte identity

Genetics of female reproductive longevity

DREAM functions are mediated by THAP proteins

Tracing the origin of PGCs in rabbit

Epigenetic divergence in cichlids

Man on a Mission

Modelling early human development

Congratulations to two new FRSs

Public engagement award for Institute

we-are-recruiting-1xgl.jpg

Institute reopening

The Gurdon Institute reopened on Monday 15th June. Many staff will continue to work from home, and all staff may be contacted by email.

Studying development to understand disease

The Gurdon Institute is funded by Wellcome and Cancer Research UK to study the biology of development, and how normal growth and maintenance go wrong in cancer and other diseases.

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