Behavioral Genetics and Genomics
Image Credit: Jeffrey Rhoades
Research in Behavioral Genetics and Genomics at MIT combines experimental and computational approaches to quantify animal behaviors and elucidate the underlying genes, gene networks and neural circuits.
Brandon (Brady ) Weissbourd
Sara Prescott
Li-Huei Tsai
Olivia Corradin
Gut-brain connection signals worms to alter behavior while eating
Study may lead to a better understanding of the digestive tract’s nervous system.
When a hungry worm encounters a rich food source, it immediately slows down so it can devour the feast. Once the worm is full, or the food runs out, it will begin roaming again.
School of Science appoints eight faculty members to named professorships
Biologists discover function of gene linked to familial ALS
Study in worms reveals gene loss can lead to accumulation of waste products in cells.
New technique scours the genome for genes that combat disease
Biological engineers identify genes that protect against protein linked to Parkinson's disease.
Using a modified version of the CRISPR genome-editing system, MIT researchers have developed a new way to screen for genes that protect against specific diseases.
CRISPR is normally used to edit or delete genes from living cells. However, the MIT team adapted it to randomly turn on or off distinct gene sets across large populations of cells, allowing the researchers to identify genes that protect cells from a protein associated with Parkinson’s disease.
Steven Flavell
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