Press Releases

Morrill Professor Don Sakaguchi of genetics, development and cell biology, discusses the importance of undergraduate research in the Iowa State University Foundation's Forward magazine article, "Connective tissue: Educating the next gener

Geetu Tuteja, professor in genetics, development and cell biology, has always enjoyed puzzles. Through her research at Iowa State University, she is studying "one of the most unique puzzles in human biology: the placenta." 

August 26 
Alejandro Sanchez Alvarado — Stowers Institute, HHMI 
Topic: Understanding the sources of regenerative capacity in animals 

AMES, Iowa - Laboratory work in many undergraduate classes is focused on achieving a certain outcome. For Wren Murzyn, a senior in genetics at Iowa State University, uncertainty in the lab has been more valuable. 

AMES, Iowa – Biologists know that animals that mature slowly tend to live longer, but they aren’t sure why.

An innovative new degree will prepare students for health care professions through a unique blend of coursework.

Iowa State University (ISU) alumnus Josh Strable returned to campus in January 2025 when he joined the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology (GDCB) as an assistant professor.

What role does gene expression play in predicting whether someone prefers salty over sweet snacks or tends to be more of a night owl than an early riser?

What happens when you challenge people to find the intersection of art and science? Something beautiful!

Madison Vetter, graduating senior in biology, was chosen as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Fall 2024 Student Marshal. Many have recognized her determination and hard work, which has led her to this prestigious honor. 

Faculty and academic leaders have been working for the last 18 months to create new academic programs -- Degrees of the Future -- that address student and workforce demands.

Hongqing (Michelle) Guo, genetics, development and cell biology assistant professor, received a $1.8 million federal grant to study a gene that affects both how plants grow and how they respond to environmental threats.

AMES, Iowa – The tropical freshwater zebrafish (Danio rerio) is widely used as a model biological system for researchers studying human health.

Kyaw (Joe) Aung, assistant professor of genetics, development, and cell biology, is one of 13 Iowa State University researchers selected to receive Faculty Early Career Development Program awards from the National Science Foundati

Several graduate students affiliated with the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology received Research Excellence (REX) and Teaching Excellence (TEX) awards in the 2023-24 academic year.

Vaishali Todi, genetics, development and cell biology graduate student, GDCB Associate Professor Mohan Gupta's lab, discusses the internship she participated in during summer 2023 at Elanco in the Indianapolis area. 

One of Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology Teaching Professor Karri Haen Whitmer's bionics students was featured in the fall 2023 issue of Forward Magazine in "The Future by Degrees" article.

AMES, Iowa — Scientists have been making nanoparticles out of DNA strands for two decades, manipulating the bonds that maintain DNA’s double-helical shape to sculpt self-assembling structures that could someday have jaw-dropping medical applicatio

A microbial sensor that helps identify and fight bacterial infections also plays a key role in the development of blood stem cells, valuable new insight in the effort to create patient-derived blood stem cells that could eliminate the need for bon