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Throughout their lifespan, cells must continuously activate and deactivate genes. This process is regulated by transcription factors, a class of proteins that control gene expression by binding to DNA.

Chromatin is a structure in the cell nucleus that helps pack DNA tightly by wrapping it around proteins called histones.

Gene expression is controlled by numerous small RNA molecules called microRNAs, or miRNAs. However, specific functions of most miRNAs remain poorly understood. Working in worms, FMI researchers created an encyclopedia of miRNA dynamics during development, uncovering mechanisms of their regulation. The findings help to better understand typical development and may reveal how these tiny molecules contribute to disease when they become dysfunctional.

After a 1.5-year postdoc in the Liberali lab — where he co-developed and tested a new microscope to track the development of organoids in real time — Andrea Boni co-founded a company that provides live-imaging systems based on a revolutionary microscopy technology.

The tumor suppressor protein p53 has been dubbed the 'guardian of the genome' because it protects the DNA from stress or long-term damage by regulating the expression of numerous genes involved DNA repair, cell division and cell death. Now, FMI researchers have homed in on some of the mechanisms that regulate the activation of p53 target genes.

To keep their vital functions in balance, many organisms use small snippets of RNA to 'silence' messenger RNAs that code for certain proteins. New research from FMI scientists revealed a molecular hub that integrates the activities of different protein complexes involved in such RNA silencing. The findings provide insights into a key mechanism that helps to coordinate cellular functions.

On April 25, 1953 an iconic research paper was published in the journal Nature: the description of the double-helix structure of the DNA, by James Watson and Francis Crick. Their study revolutionized the field of molecular biology and laid the foundation for modern genetics and genomics. Seventy years later, there remains a lot to discover about the "molecule of life" and scientists at the FMI are at the forefront of such research.

FMI researchers are awarded competitive grants and fellowship throughout the year, which speaks for the quality and potential of their work.

In this new series, we feature FMI alumni and the diverse careers they have chosen after leaving our institute.

FMI researchers have honed in on a key process that happens when yeast cells divide to form gametes, which are the equivalents of human sperm and egg.

New work by FMI researchers shows that key proteins help to stabilize the interaction between otherwise highly dynamic DNA structures.

The three FMI internal science prizes are awarded yearly and recognize respectively the best thesis, the best postdoc study and an ingenious new method or tool.

FMI researchers developed an imaging approach that allowed them to visualize individual molecules involved in the cell's response to stress. When a cell is exposed to stressors such as toxins, it switches on pathways aimed at repairing damage. One of these pathways is called the 'unfolded protein response', which senses unfolded or misfolded proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum — a cell organelle designated for folding proteins destined to other organelles or to be secreted by the cell.

At first glance, Caenorhabditis elegans , or C. elegans for short, isn't exactly awe-inspiring.

To discover the molecular mechanisms of health and disease, some FMI researchers use animals such as mice and fish.

For amplifying sensory stimuli quickly and accurately, neuronal circuits require specific wiring. Some 70 years ago, the compelling idea that "neurons that fire together wire together" emerged. Yet, in computational models, neurons that wire together tend to succumb to an explosion of activity and instability not observed in neurobiology.