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.

Study uncovers unusual sex chromosomes of Australian iconic animals

The sex chromosomes genetically define the developmental fate of an embryo to become a male or a female individual, and usually, appear as one pair of morphologically different chromosomes between sexes.

8 Jan 2021

Evolutionary biologists discover genomic signatures of recombination in freshwater invertebrates

Skoltech's evolutionary biologists discovered recombination in bdelloid rotifers, microscopic freshwater invertebrates, which have long been regarded as 'an evolutionary scandal' due to their presumed ancient asexuality.

18 Dec 2020

Imperfect egg cells more common than originally thought

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Dr. Terry Hasssold about his latest research into oocytes and how imperfect egg cells are more common than scientists initially thought.

16 Dec 2020

'Survival of the fittest': How meiotic drivers shape the evolution of gamete formation

It can be hard to dispute the common adage 'survival of the fittest'. After all, "most of the genes in the genome are there because they're doing something good," says Sarah Zanders, PhD, assistant investigator at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research

18 Aug 2020

New theory shows why Y chromosome may be more resilient than previously believed

The Y chromosome, which is relatively smaller than its counterpart, the X chromosome, has significantly reduced in size across 200 million years of evolution.

7 Aug 2020

Scientists develop new genome editing methods for better crop yield

Although crop hybrid technologies have played a key role in considerably improving crop yield across the world in the past decades, developing and maintaining a hybrid production line has invariably been laborious and complex.

13 Jul 2020

C19ORF57 gene could advance reproductive medicine

The gene C19ORF57 has been identified to play a major role in meiosis by the Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics at Kumamoto University.

5 Jun 2020

New insights into recombination of sex chromosomes during meiosis

As chromosomes go, X and Y make an unlikely pair. The X is large and contains thousands of genes critical for life.

29 May 2020

How Small Chromosomes Compete With Big Ones For A Cell's Attention

From avocado plants to yeast, sexually reproducing organisms must create germ cells that contain half the number of chromosomes found in a typical body cell.

7 May 2020

Reference genes could lead to genetic improvement in wheat

Wheat sustains the world. The FAO has stated that wheat is one of the main crops in the world, both in terms of scope and production, and it is also one of the rich sources of vegetable protein and carbohydrates in the human diet.

23 Apr 2020