The zebrafish heart is similar to the human heart in many respects. But unlike the human heart, the fish heart closes wounds rapidly and then regenerates to nearly full function. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) is an important molecule in the regeneration process.
View the animation to see how one type of immune cell—the helper T cell—interprets a message presented at the surface of the cell membrane. The message is an antigen, a protein fragment taken from an invading microbe. A series of events unfolds that results in the production of many clones of...
Varying concentrations of a signaling molecule activate different transcription factors and determine cell fate.
Prialt, a drug derived from cone snail venom, paralyzes fish by blocking calcium channels at a motor synapse.
The PPAR-gamma receptor activates certain genes in a fat cell, resulting in the storage of fat and changes in hormone levels.
Multiple cone snail toxins attack different molecules of the nervous system and cause paralysis.
Electrical and chemical signals are used by neurons to communicate with one another at contact points called synapses.
A cancer tumor forms in a bed of healthy cells. The animation goes on to show how the tumor recruits blood vessels and how metastasis occurs.
Long-term memory requires the activation of CREB, turning on specific genes that support new synaptic growth.
Short-term memory relies on serotonin activating a protein kinase to modify existing synaptic strength.
Early LTP (short-term memory) depends on a calcium-dependent protein kinase to strengthen an existing synapse.
Late LTP (long-term memory) involves dopamine activation of CREB to support new synaptic growth.
Demonstrates how changes in the amount of fat tissue lead to changes in leptin levels and thus changes in appetite.
A single transcription factor controls this operon, which contains five genes necessary to produce bioluminescence.
A live recording of muscle activity from Dr. Jessell's biceps and triceps muscles.
A demonstration by Dr. Barbara Meyer of how a branched genetic pathway can be affected by mutations in different parts of the pathway.
An interview with Silvia Caballero, an undergraduate who discusses what it's like to be in a lab doing scientific research.
A growth cone contacts a repellant molecule on another axon, collapses, and withdraws.
Dr. Bassler demonstrates the bioluminescence of a culture of Vibrio harveyi.
Retinal axons travel across the brain, reading navigation cues, to find appropriate targets.
Quorum sensing signal molecules have parts that are common between species as well as species-specific parts.
A reduction in the level of sonic hedgehog (SHH) gene expression can lead to cyclopia.
Dr. Harshad Vishwasrao guides you through a collection of images showing neuronal growth and synaptic formation representative of anatomical changes that occur during learning.
Venomous carniverous cone snails are a rich source of molecules for scientific research and potential drug development.
Bacteria are capable of communicating and coordinating their activities with a molecular signaling system called quorum sensing.