Larger cells have relatively smaller nuclei across the Tree of Life

A new study published in Evolution Letters finally puts paid to a long-held belief that the ratio between nucleus size and cell size is approximately constant. Although recently it has been recognised that nucleus size and cell size are not inexorably bound, the idea of a constant nucleus to cell size (NS:CS) ratio – the …

Can we pin the fluffy tails of our pet dogs on neural crest cells?

Domesticated animals share similar features, such as floppy ears, curly tails, and smaller brains. A new study published in Evolution Letters challenges the most popular explanation for how these features arose. Lead author Dr Laura Wilson tells us more. Charles Darwin was first to notice that different domestic animals share similar characteristics despite not being …