2024 Nobel Prize: micro-RNAs
This year's Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Victor Ambros and Gary Ruvkun "for the discovery of microRNA and its role in post-transcriptional gene regulation".
The first identified microRNA, lin-4, was discovered as a heterochronic mutant in C. elegans - a gene whose disruption affects the timing of activation of key genetic programs in development. By demonstrating that the lin-4 microRNA binds to the 3'-UTR of the lin-14 mRNA (lin-14 also being a heterochronic mutant), Ambros and Ruvkun established a paradigm for post-transcriptional gene regulation that was subsequently shown to be highly conserved. Since this ground-breaking work, microRNAs have been found to be key players in many developmental processes across the kingdom of life.
This subject collection features microRNA-related papers published by Victor Ambros (a member of Development's advisory editorial board) and Gary Ruvkun in Development over the years, as well as a selection of Review Articles from other authors that highlight the diverse roles of microRNAs.
Development presents…
Development is delighted to host a webinar series showcasing the latest developmental biology and stem cell research. The webinars are held each month with talks from postdocs applying for independent positions as part of our Pathway to Independence programme. Visit Development presents... on the Node to see which stimulating topics are coming up in the next few months.
Meet our 2025 Pathway to Independence (PI) fellows
We are delighted to announce our third cohort of PI fellows - researchers whom we will be supporting as they transition from postdoc to Principal Investigator. Read about the eight talented fellows chosen, whom we're excited to be working with as they navigate the job market.
A case for broadening our view of mechanism in developmental biology
In this Perspective, B. Duygu Özpolat and colleagues survey researchers on their views on what it takes to infer mechanism in developmental biology. They examine what factors shape our idea of what we mean by ‘mechanism’ and suggest a path forward that embraces a broad outlook on the diversity of studies that advance knowledge in our field.
Browse by subject
![Development logo - Browse by subject: Explore Development's content, now easily accessible by subject area. The ad has a black background with three vibrant scientific images: a developing embryo on the left, a green plant-like structure in the center, and a gastruloid (a circular cell with a bright pink center and blue outer ring) on the right. [Blue button: browse content].](https://cob.silverchair-cdn.com/ImageLibrary/Development/Snippets/2025_05_Dev_Browse-by-subject_600x230_Snippet.png?versionId=8993)
From cardiovascular development and regeneration to tissue engineering and organoids, Development’s browse by subject archive allows you to access the latest papers (from late 2024 onwards) on a particular field of interest. In addition to our curated subject collections, these subject pages allow readers to browse a broader range of papers organised by topic.
