A ‘timeless’ tradition: How fly genes get their names
When scientists discover a new phenomenon, they often get to name it. For researchers who study the model system Drosophila melanogaster, or fruit flies, that means participating in a long tradition that is a hallmark of the field’s culture.
Scientists discover a role for ‘junk’ DNA
Researchers have determined that so-called 'junk DNA' plays a crucial role in holding the genome together.
Clues to aging found in stem cells' genomes
In fruit flies, repeating genetic elements shrink with age but then expand in future generations, a resurgence that may help explain how some cells stay immortal.