Stowers News

Stowers scientists establish Drosophila and mammalian models to study mutations found in pediatric brain tumors

KANSAS CITY, MO—In a cell’s nucleus, chromosomal DNA is tightly bound to structural proteins known as histones, an amalgam biologists call chromatin. Until about two decades ago, histones were regarded as a nuclear “sidekick,” the mere packing material around which the glamorous DNA strands were wrapped. Recently, however, biologists have developed a greater appreciation for how DNA/histone interactions govern gene expression.

Stowers researchers identify functions of two classes of mouse pheromone receptors

KANSAS CITY, MO—Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the functions of two classes of pheromone receptors, and found pheromones crucial to triggering the mating process in mice.

Stowers team develops novel assay to identify genes controlling pharynx regeneration in flatworms

KANSAS CITY, MO—As multicellular creatures go, planaria worms are hardly glamorous. To say they appear rudimentary is more like it. These tiny aquatic flatworms that troll ponds and standing water resemble brown tubes equipped with just the basics: a pair of beady light-sensing “eyespots” on their head and a feeding tube called the pharynx (which doubles as the excretory tract) that protrudes from a belly sac to suck up food. It’s hard to feel kinship with them.

Stowers Investigator will update cancer researchers on the consequences of DNA enhancer failure at the upcoming AACR meeting

KANSAS CITY, MO—Stowers Institute Investigator, Ali Shilatifard, Ph.D., will take center stage at a Meet-the-Expert Session at the 2014 Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) being held April 5th-9th in San Diego. The AACR meeting is the most important international forum for sharing breakthroughs in cancer research. This year’s event could attract over 17,000 participants from 60 different countries.