Unlocking nature’s GPSĪ bird’s ability to navigate during migration has long fascinated scientists. With this latest funding, researchers at the University of Birmingham will investigate these intriguing phenomena to answer key questions about evolutionary biology.Ī more thorough understanding of the mechanisms that govern fungal HGT could pave the way for new innovations that prevent the spread of fungal diseases and antibiotic resistance. These starships are thought to contain both the genetic material to be shared and the machinery needed to excise and re-insert themselves into a host genome. Recent research has hypothesised that HGT in fungi may be driven by a class of giant transposons called ‘starships’. Secret fungal travellersįungi can exchange genetic traits through a process called horizontal gene transfer (HGT), allowing the spread of potentially dangerous traits like virulence and antibiotic resistance. This ground-breaking research could transform our understanding of ageing, regenerative medicine and developmental biology. In a research first, scientists at Cardiff University will delve into the genetic secrets behind this remarkable phenomenon to unpack the molecular mechanisms that underpin this astonishing physiological process. It can transform its adult cells back into a youthful state, essentially becoming young again and granting itself a form of immortality. However, the Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish defies this rule. That’s because their cells transform into specific types and cannot change back. In the world of biology, there’s very little dispute that once animals reach adulthood, they cannot turn back the clock. The investment by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council’s (BBSRC) Pioneer Awards enables the pursuit of unique ideas that challenge current thinking or open up novel areas of exploration. These new investigations aim to radically change the way we think about important biological phenomena covering plant, microbial and animal sciences. Radical researchīy drawing upon unconventional thinking and approaches, the investigators hope to make exciting discoveries with the potential to transform our understanding of the fundamental rules of life. Sixty-two researchers across the UK will receive a share of £12 million to pursue novel bioscience research.įrom lessons in regeneration that we can learn from rejuvenating jellyfish to the effect sleep has on our genetic ageing, each of the projects will explore early-stage ideas at the frontiers of bioscience.
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