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Sponges and Synapses?

Jun 06, 2007

Scientists at UC Santa Barbara's Neuroscience Research Institute have found clues to the origins of the human nervous system in the genome of the sea sponge, one of the oldest animals. Thanks to the sponge's sequenced genome, Todd Oakley and his team found that although the creatures don't actually have nervous systems, there is much evidence for the genetic components of synapses.

Breaking News
The Scan

Pig Organ Transplants Considered

The Wall Street Journal reports that the US Food and Drug Administration may soon allow clinical trials that involve transplanting pig organs into humans.

'Poo-Bank' Proposal

Harvard Medical School researchers suggest people should bank stool samples when they are young to transplant when they later develop age-related diseases.

Spurred to Develop Again

New Scientist reports that researchers may have uncovered why about 60 percent of in vitro fertilization embryos stop developing.

Science Papers Examine Breast Milk Cell Populations, Cerebral Cortex Cellular Diversity, Micronesia Population History

In Science this week: unique cell populations found within breast milk, 100 transcriptionally distinct cell populations uncovered in the cerebral cortex, and more.