News

Graphic abstract illustrates DREAM working with THAP proteins

19.10.21 Ahringer lab study shows THAP domain proteins mediate DREAM repression of cell cycle and germline genes

18 October 2021

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 several developing rabbit embryos

12.10.21 Surani lab study establishes rabbit embryo as surrogate model for early human development

12 October 2021

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 study of the methylome of Lake Malawi cichlids

07.10.21 Miska lab and collaborators reveal a comparative analysis of natural methylome variation in Lake Malawi cichlids

8 October 2021

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...

Photomicroscopy shows genetically manipulated organoids

06.10.21 Rawlins lab and collaborators present their complete genetic toolbox for human tissue-derived organoids

8 October 2021

The Rawlins lab and collaborators have used their human foetal lung organoid system to systematically develop and optimise a complete genetic toolbox for use in tissue-derived organoids. These tools will facilitate gene perturbation studies in tissue-derived organoids, facilitating human disease modelling and providing a...

30.07.21 Jackson lab pinpoint factors including Cyclin C and CDK8 at heart of ATR inhibitor resistance mechanisms

3 August 2021

Inhibitors of the protein kinase ATR (ATRi) are in clinical trials for the treatment of cancers. Studies from the Jackson lab now provide a comprehensive overview of genes that, when inactivated, enhance or diminish ATRi efficacy. They implicate Cyclin C and CDK8 in resistance mechanisms. This new knowledge could help in...

Drug repurposing for COVID-19 infographic for Han et al paper

30.06.21 Identification of new drugs that could be repurposed against COVID-19

30 June 2021

A team led by researchers at the Milner Therapeutics Institute and Gurdon Institute used a combination of computational biology and machine learning to create a comprehensive map of proteins that are involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection. This analysis identified 200 drugs predicted to target SARS-CoV-2–induced pathways, 40 of...

Images showing intestinal cells labelled with multiple colours

02.06.21. Mutant intestinal epithelial cells create an environment that allows tumour cells to flourish at the expense of neighbours

1 June 2021

Min Kyu Yum, Seungmin Han and colleagues from the Simons lab, together with collaborators in Vienna, have discovered that mutant intestinal epithelial cells remodel their environment to gain competitive advantage, providing a first step in cancer initiation. The discovery paves the way for new kinds of prevention and...

Schematic of human and mouse early embryo development

26.05.21 New guidelines open up possibilities for studying the earliest stages of human development

27 May 2021

Azim Surani is a member of an international team of experts who have prepared new guidelines for research on human development, issued by the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in response to rapid progress and technical developments in this field. Azim is also a co-author of two papers explaining the new...

Super-resolution microscopy images of microtubules in heart cells

26.05.21 STED imaging of microtubules by St Johnston lab helps identify target for new inotropic therapies

25 May 2021

The STED imaging system built by Allgeyer and Sirinakis at the Gurdon Institute has proved crucial in a research collaboration to understand why heart muscle weakens after a heart attack. By visualising microtubules in cardiac cells, the St Johnston lab researchers helped an international team to identify a new target for...

Graphic illustrates result on DNA replication of loss of HK37me1

05.05.21 Kouzarides lab show that histone modification by Set1 and Set2 regulates DNA replication origin licensing

19 May 2021

The Kouzarides lab find that two enzymes, Set1 and Set2, are responsible for methylation of H3K37, which protects the genome from inappropriate origin licensing and spurious DNA replication. Methylation of histone H3 at lysine 37 by Set1 and Set2 prevents spurious DNA replication Santos-Rosa H et al . (2021) Molecular Cell...