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News zu #Biology

Small fish, big discovery: the zebrafish helps Dresden researchers to understand how electrical signals control the healing of organs. © pixabay/Petr Kuznetsov

When the zebrafish heals itself with electricity

A flash of electricity in milliseconds, followed by a chemical wave and the tissue begins to grow. Researchers at TU Dresden and the Max Planck Institute have discovered how electrical signals control the healing of organs. A small fish provided the decisive insights.

Star-shaped structures of microtubules divide the cell material in early embryos. Researchers at TU Dresden have investigated how this process works. Melissa Rinaldin

Chaos as a blueprint: How a cell becomes an organism

Every human being begins as a single cell. Researchers at TU Dresden have now deciphered how this becomes a complete organism. Their discovery: the first cell divisions function through controlled chaos. Thread-like structures called microtubules divide the cell material - although they are actually unstable. The study published in Nature also shows why different animal species use different developmental strategies.

Prof. Dr. Michael © Schaefer and his team developed light-controlled switches for bodily functions. University of Leipzig/Swen Reichhold

Saxon researchers switch bodily functions on and off with light

Violet light on, blue light off: Researchers at Leipzig University and TU Dresden have developed molecular switches that control bodily functions using light pulses. The scientists can use them to activate nerve cells, regulate adrenaline release and control intestinal movements. The new method could help to better understand diseases and develop new therapies.

Researchers have now discovered that cell division in shark embryos occurs in a different way. © pixabay/David Clode

The shark's ratchet trick: New mechanism of cell division discovered

How do cells divide when they are too big for the classic mechanism? Researchers at TU Dresden have discovered a surprising trick of nature in zebrafish embryos. A rhythmic alternation between solid and liquid states inside the cell enables division over several cycles. The discovery changes our understanding of one of the most fundamental processes of life.