Cells require sufficient amounts of the element phosphorus to build their membranes and to store and copy genetic information. Phosphorus is taken up by cells in the form of inorganic phosphate, an important signaling molecule and energy currency. While we … Continue reading →

Do populations from different geographic regions have the same potential for defending themselves against pathogens and against viruses in particular? An analysis of human genomes, especially the HLA genes responsible for the so-called “adaptive” immune system, provide some possible answers … Continue reading →

Despite the key proposed function of Hop/Stip1/Sti1 for protein folding and maturation, it is not essential in a number of eukaryotes and bacteria lack an ortholog. Didier Picard’s group has explored why Hop is present in eukaryotes, what its critical … Continue reading →

Dr. Ivana Gasic received a SNSF Eccellenza Professorial Fellowship and will join the Cell biology department. Her group will study tubulin quantity control and microtubule homeostasis.

The skin colour of vertebrates depends on chromatophores — cells found in the deep layers of the skin. The group of Athanasia Tzika in Michel Milinkovitch’s laboratory, specialists in genetic determinism and colour evolution in reptiles, is studying the wide … Continue reading →