The human body begins as a single cell that multiplies and differentiates into thousands of specialized cells. Researchers at the Göttingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks (CIDBN) and the Max Planck Institute have made a groundbreaking discovery: embryonic cells “listen” to each other through molecular mechanisms previously known only from hearing.

Using an interdisciplinary approach combining developmental genetics, brain research, hearing research, and theoretical physics, the researchers found that in thin layers of skin, cells register the movements of their neighboring cells and synchronize their own tiny movements with those of the others. This coordination allows groups of neighboring cells to pull together with greater force, making them highly sensitive and able to respond quickly and flexibly.

The researchers created computer models of tissue development, which showed that this “whispering” among neighboring cells leads to an intricate choreography of the entire tissue, protecting it from external forces. These findings were confirmed by video recordings of embryonic development and further experiments.

Dr. Matthias Häring, group leader at the CIDBN, explained that using AI methods and computer-assisted analysis allowed them to examine about a hundred times more cell pairs than was previously possible in this field, giving their results high accuracy.

The mechanisms revealed in embryonic development are also known to play a role in hearing, where hair cells convert sound waves into nerve signals. The ear is sensitive because of special proteins that convert mechanical forces into electrical currents. This discovery suggests that such sensors of force may have evolved from our single-celled ancestors, which emerged long before the origin of animal life.

Professor Fred Wolf, Director of the CIDBN, noted that future work should determine whether the original function of these cellular “nanomachines” was to perceive forces inside the body rather than perceiving the outside world. This phenomenon could provide insights into how force perception at a cellular level has evolved.

As humans age, our cells undergo a process called senescence, where they become dysfunctional and can no longer divide. This leads to a range of age-related diseases and physical decline. Scientists have been studying this phenomenon in the hopes of finding new ways to promote cellular renewal and prevent or reverse aging. Recently, researchers made a groundbreaking discovery that sheds light on the mechanisms behind cellular senescence.

Using Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), also known as nematode worms, scientists manipulated a specific gene called TFEB, which regulates cellular responses to nutrient availability. When these worms were subjected to long-term fasting followed by refeeding, they typically regenerated and appeared rejuvenated under normal conditions. However, when the researchers removed TFEB from the equation, the worm’s stem cells failed to recover from the fasting period and instead entered a senescent-like state.

This senescent-like state was characterized by various markers, including DNA damage, nucleolus expansion, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), and the expression of inflammatory markers – all similar to those observed in mammalian senescence. This finding provided scientists with a new model for studying senescence at the organismal level.

According to Adam Antebi, head of the study and director at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing, “We present a model for studying senescence at the level of the entire organism. It provides a tool to explore how senescence can be triggered and overcome.”

The researchers discovered that TFEB plays a crucial role in responding to fasting by regulating gene expression. Without it, worms attempt to initiate growth programs without sufficient nutrients, leading to senescence. They also identified growth factors like insulin and transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) as key signaling molecules dysregulated upon TFEB loss.

This new understanding of the TFEB-TGFbeta signaling axis has implications for finding treatments targeting senescent cells during aging as well as cancer dormancy. The researchers aim to test their worm model in the future to find new treatments targeting these areas.

In summary, this groundbreaking study sheds light on the mechanisms behind cellular senescence and provides a powerful tool for exploring how senescence can be triggered and overcome.

The world of cats is fascinating, especially when it comes to their sleeping habits. Researchers from Italy, Germany, Canada, Switzerland, and Turkey have made an intriguing discovery – cats prefer to sleep on their left side. This bias towards one side might seem trivial at first, but the team behind this study believes it holds a significant evolutionary advantage.

Cats are notorious for spending around 12 to 16 hours a day snoozing. They often find elevated places to rest, making it difficult for predators to access them from below. The research team, led by Dr. Sevim Isparta and Professor Onur Güntürkün, aimed to understand the behavior behind this preference. They analyzed over 400 YouTube videos featuring cats sleeping on one side or the other.

The results showed that two-thirds of these videos had cats sleeping on their left side. So, what’s the explanation? According to the researchers, when a cat sleeps on its left side and wakes up, it perceives its surroundings with its left visual field. This visual information is processed in the right hemisphere of the brain, which specializes in spatial awareness and threat processing.

This might seem like an insignificant detail, but for cats, it’s a crucial aspect of survival. By sleeping on their left side, they can quickly respond to potential threats or prey upon waking up. The researchers conclude that this preference could be a key survival strategy for cats.

The study published in the journal Current Biology provides valuable insights into the fascinating world of cat behavior and evolution. As we continue to learn more about our feline friends, we might just uncover even more surprising advantages behind their seemingly ordinary habits.