Roberto H. Herai

Mar 9, 2023 | science.org | Michael Winding |Roberto H. Herai |Anneline Pinson |Corinne N. Simonti

Convergent Evolution Same spots, different lotsCorinne SimontiOpen in viewerConvergent evolution is exemplified by two species presenting the same phenotype despite having different evolutionary trajectories. Van Belleghem et al. examined two pairs of butterfly species that overlap geographically and present nearly identical wing patterning to assess the conservation of gene expression and regulation.

Mar 9, 2023 | science.org | Michael Winding |Roberto H. Herai |Anneline Pinson |Kevin Hicks

LATEST NEWS Probing physiological controlUnderstanding how metabolic state influences cellular processes requires systematic analysis of low-affinity interactions of metabolites with proteins. Hicks et al. describe a method called MIDAS (mass spectrometry integrated with equilibrium dialysis for the discovery of allostery systematically), which allowed them to probe such interactions for 33 enzymes of human carbohydrate metabolism and more than 400 metabolites.

Mar 9, 2023 | science.org | Michael Winding |Roberto H. Herai |Anneline Pinson |Song Jiang

LATEST NEWS Optical properties revealedGraphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are typically grown on metallic surfaces such as silver or gold. The presence of a metallic substrate makes the optical properties of GNRs difficult to study. To avoid this issue, Jiang et al. grew armchair-edge GNRs on a gold surface and used the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope to transfer them to an adjacent insulating surface.

Mar 2, 2023 | science.org | Michael Winding |Roberto H. Herai |Anneline Pinson |Maddy Seale |Brad Wible

Plant Biogeography The terrible history of breadfruitMaddy SealeIn 1789, Captain William Bligh’s attempt to export breadfruit plants from Tahiti to the Caribbean was foiled by mutiny. By 1793, breadfruit was successfully introduced to St. Vincent, from where it was distributed across the Caribbean as cheap food for enslaved people. Many island communities exposed to climate change now rely on breadfruit as a staple, so it is important to understand its genetics to enable appropriate management.