Why does the same genetic mutation cause a severe brain malformation in some patients but not in others? Researchers from the MOSAIC team at the Paris Brain Institute have developed mosaic human cortical organoids carrying mutations in the DEPDC5 gene in order to model focal cortical dysplasia—a brain malformation responsible for drug-resistant epilepsy in children. In a new study published in Brain, they show that biallelic inactivation of this gene is required to recapitulate the features of focal cortical dysplasia, and identify the key mechanisms at play.

A microscopic green pigment can provide major insights into how severe tropical cyclones called typhoons impact water flow and ecosystems. Called chlorophyll a, the pigment is responsible for absorbing light and initiating the photosynthesis process for algae, other plants and some bacteria. The amount of chlorophyll a in a body of water acts as a proxy measurement for the organisms that feed on it, with sharp increases or decreases indicating a disrupted ecosystem.

Salk scientists find naked mole rat colonies are capable of peaceful queen succession, illuminating a new layer of social complexity for naked mole rats, which are important models in biomedical research on socialization, aging, adaptation, fertility, and more. The findings also help answer broader questions about biological resilience, potentially revealing principles that can explain human health and disease.

New research shows that dialing down an overactive immune sensor can restore tissue health in severe genetic disorders, reshaping how scientists think about aging and DNA damage.