Research Progress

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  Locusts Locate Mates by Sex Pheromones at Low Density

  Locusts are important agricultural pests that cause severe agricultural disasters and economic losses. In the natural environment, the population density of locusts can vary greatly, ranging from sporadic individuals to high-density swarms.

  Jul 30, 2024
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  Novel Gene Writing Technology Enables All-RNA-mediated Targeted Gene Integration in Human Cells

  In a recent study published in Cell, a research team led by LI Wei and ZHOU Qi from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an innovative gene-writing technology based on retrotransposons. This achievement enables all-RNA-mediated targeted gene integration in human cells.

  Jul 12, 2024
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  Large-scale Study Reveals Functional Diversity of DNA Transposons and Expands Genome Engineering Toolbox

  In a study published in Cell, a research team led by ZHANG Yong’e and WANG Haoyi from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has characterized the diversity of DNA transposons and expanded the genome engineering toolbox.

  Jun 06, 2024
• The “Encounter” between plant viruses and insect wings

  Genomics of Vector Insect and Virus Lab led by Prof. Feng Cui and Ecological genomics Lab led by Prof. Le Kang from the Institute of Zoology (IOZ) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) successfully decipher the secret of plant viruses regulating insects' wing morphology. The study entitled “A plant virus manipulates the long-winged morph of insect vectors” was published online in PNAS on January 9, 2024.

  Jan 12, 2024
• Researchers decode the spatiotemporal transcriptome atlas of multiple regions of the developing human brain

  As the most complex organ in humans , the brain is anatomically divided into different regions .These different brain regions have special input-output connections and play various important functions .During the development of the human brain , complex cell types are generated through inherent genetic programs .Considering the rapid expansion of human brain volume during development , this poses a huge challenge for exploring the development of the human brain , especially the study of regional specialization in space .

  Dec 21, 2023
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  Invasive species may combine with extreme weathers to threaten global biodiversity

  Invasive species and extreme weather events (EWEs) are posing high impacts to global biodiversity, but their combined threat remains unclear, which is firstly dependent on the responses of invasive species to EWEs. Compared with native counterparts, invasive species usually have higher phenotypic plasticity, growth rate, and population recovery to quickly adapt stressful environments. It is theoretically predicted that non-native species and native species may exhibit different responses to EWEs, which, however, has never been tested in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, covering various EWE types and response mechanisms across taxonomic groups and biogeographic regions worldwide.

  Nov 07, 2023
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  Scientists discover hidden barriers and signs of damage in the aging spinal cord of primates

  The spinal cord, a vital bridge connecting the brain and peripheral nerves, plays a pivotal role in governing motor functions and coordinating basic life activities of the body, which mainly through a rare and critical group of cells within the spinal cord called motor neurons.

  Nov 03, 2023
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  3D printing! A field monitoring device for preserving high-quality DNA from insects was invented

  Sep 19, 2023
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  ‘Sociability’ of Locusts: Social Interactions Promote Aggregation

  In a study published in PNAS on Sept. 5, researchers led by Prof. KANG Le from the Beijing Institutes of Life Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have provided a deep understanding of the “sociability” of individual locusts and explained how a pheromone influences locust group formation.

  Sep 12, 2023
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  Gregarious Locusts Wear Contrasting Black-brown ‘Clothes’ to Warn Predators

  The locusts we see are usually green. This coloration provides protection by allowing locusts to blend into their green surroundings to avoid predators. However, when locusts gather in high population densities and undergo transformation from a solitary to a gregarious phase, they cause severe plagues. With this transformation, their body color also changes dramatically from green all over to black backs and brown abdomens.

  Aug 29, 2023