http://www.physorg.com/ en-us Physorg.com internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. (PhysOrg.com) -- University of Washington (UW) researchers are helping to write the operating manual for the nano-scale machine that separates chromosomes before cell division. The apparatus is called a spindle because it looks like a tiny wool-spinner with thin strands of microtubules or spindle fibers sticking out. The lengthening and shortening of microtubules is thought to help push and pull apart chromosome pairs. http://www.physorg.com/news155569966.html Biology Fri, 06 Mar 2009 13:53:16 EST news155569966 The Stowers Institute's Rong Li Lab has characterized a mechanism that allows for asymmetrical cell division during meiosis in oocytes. By tracking chromosome movement in live mouse oocytes, the team discovered that chromosomes can recruit to their vicinity a protein called formin-2. This protein allows the oocyte to retain the majority of the cytoplasm - a requirement for embryonic development after fertilization - while the other daughter cell (called a polar body) resulting from the asymmetric division gets only a minimal amount and subsequently dies. http://www.physorg.com/news142605812.html Biology Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:43:32 EST news142605812