Meiosis News and Research

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Multicellular eukaryotes and single-celled sex cells reproduce by a process called meiosis. In this process, the number of chromosomes in a mother cell is halved to produce gametes, cells that fuse with other cells. This happens in plants, animals, and fungi. German biologist, Oscar Hertwig first discovered meiosis in sea urchin eggs in 1876.

Studies shed new light on leading cause of birth defects and miscarriage

Two recent Northwestern University studies shed new light on the mystery of the leading cause of birth defects and miscarriage, laying the foundation for further research in an understudied but crucially important field of genetic study.

3 Oct 2017

Fathers can influence offspring sex ratios, mice study shows

It has traditionally been thought that in mammals only mothers are able to influence the sex of their offspring.

11 Sep 2017

Researchers investigate genetic mutations in sperm cells to help prevent birth defects

It's about preventing birth defects. Associate pharmaceutical sciences professor Wenfeng An and his team at South Dakota State University are investigating mobile DNA segments, known as L1s, in sperm cells with the goal to treat families at risk for genetic mutations before they conceive.

10 Aug 2017

Stowers researchers solve 3D structure of critical protein complex using microscopy techniques

Researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have solved the three-dimensional structure of a complex that is essential for the correct sorting of chromosomes into eggs and sperm during reproductive cell division or meiosis.

2 Aug 2017

Research findings may provide answers for infertility in older women

Findings from new research led by the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and University College London may finally resolve, and potentially provide answers, as to why older women have higher incidences of miscarriage and have babies with chromosomal abnormalities.

18 May 2017

Researchers provide new insights into age-related female infertility

Researchers at the University of Montreal Hospital Research Center have discovered a possible new explanation for female infertility.

4 Apr 2017

Experts report serious limitations to technology for screening embryos

The healthy development of an embryo created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) depends on whether most, if not all, of the cells have the proper number of chromosomes.

31 Mar 2017

UI biologists discover protein that appears to regulate chromosome movement

Before an egg becomes fertilized, sets of chromosomes must pair up to pass along genetic information. This happens within each reproductive cell, where separate chromosomes of male and female origin move toward each other and eventually join.

25 Jan 2017

Researchers reveal central role of new key players in meiosis

Where would we be without meiosis and recombination? For a start, none of us sexually reproducing organisms would be here, because that's how sperm and eggs are made. And when meiosis doesn't work properly, it can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects and developmental disorders.

24 Jan 2017

Editing preferences of enzymes may play role in infertility and cancer

To "turn off" particular regions of genes or protect them from damage, DNA strands can wrap around small proteins, called histones, keeping out all but the most specialized molecular machinery.

28 Nov 2016

Study shows how oxidative damage may contribute to ‘maternal age effect’

For women in their 30s and beyond, the probability of a pregnancy that results in a miscarriage or a Down syndrome pregnancy is staggering with the risk increasing to 1 in 3 by the time a woman reaches her early 40s due to the "maternal age effect," the high incidence of mistakes in chromosome segregation that occur during the cell division process of meiosis, which gives rise to the egg.

19 Oct 2016

Network of proteins linked to cancer may play vital role in male fertility

Researchers studying reproductive science identified a network of proteins often linked to cancer as also important to male fertility and the birth of healthy offspring, according to a study in the Oct. 18 online issue of Cell Reports.

19 Oct 2016

Molecular alarm clock awakens ovules from resting period

At the start of reproductive life an ovary contains, on average, several thousands of immature ovules in a resting state that can last for several decades.

17 Aug 2016

Geneticists identify enzyme that regulates chromosome segregation during meiosis

GENETICISTS have identified an enzyme which regulates the production of sperm and egg cells in human reproduction.

10 Aug 2016

Scientists identify RingoA protein as key regulator of meiosis

Published today in Nature Communications, a study by scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine headed by ICREA researcher Angel R. Nebreda has reported that the protein RingoA is a key regulator of meiosis--the cell division process that gives rise to ovules and sperm for sexual reproduction in mammals.

31 Mar 2016

Bitplane announces launch of Imaris 8.2 with ImarisLineage at ASCB 2015

Bitplane, an Oxford Instruments Company and world leader in 2 to 4D image visualization, analysis and interpretation, has announced the launch of Imaris 8.2 at the American Society for Cell Biology Annual Meeting in San Diego on December 13, 2015.

21 Dec 2015

Bitplane announces launch of Imaris 8.2 with ImarisLineage at ASCB 2015

21 Dec 2015

Recipients of GSA poster awards announced at 20th International C. elegans Meeting

The Genetics Society of America and the C. elegans research community are pleased to announce the recipients of the GSA poster awards at the 20th International C. elegans Meeting, which took place at the University of California, Los Angeles, June 24-28, 2015.

28 Jul 2015

IRB Barcelona scientists provide molecular details about Seckel Syndrome

Today in Nature Communications, scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) provide molecular details about Seckel Syndrome, a rare disease that causes microcephaly, or small brain, and growth delays.

8 Jul 2015

New imaging technique helps pinpoint significant event that leads to age-related chromosomal errors

When egg cells form with an incorrect number of chromosomes--a problem that increases with age--the result is usually a miscarriage or a genetic disease such as Down syndrome.

2 Jul 2015