eLIFE

About eLIFE:

"eLife is a non-profit organisation created by funders and led by researchers. Our mission is to accelerate discovery by operating a platform for research communication that encourages and recognises the most responsible behaviours.

We work across three major areas:

1. Publishing – eLife reviews selected preprints in all areas of biology and medicine, while exploring new ways to improve how research is assessed and published.

2. Technology – eLife invests in open-source technology innovation to modernise the infrastructure for science publishing and improve online tools for sharing, using and interacting with new results.

3. Research culture – eLife is committed to working with the worldwide research community to promote responsible behaviours in research."

Researchers assemble in front of microscope

Unveiling the Role of SNUL RNAs in Ribosomal RNA Expression Regulation

A new study by University of Illinois scientist Dr. Kannanganattu V. Prasanth and his team of researchers at Illinois and across multiple institutions has shed light on a novel family of noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), and their significant...
Alokananda Ray, a postdoctoral researcher in the Li lab (left) with Xin Li, an assistant professor of cell and developmental biology.

Researchers investigate neuron differentiation in fruit fly brains

The brains of all higher order animals are filled with a diverse array of neuron types, with specific shapes and functions. Yet, when these brains form during embryonic development, there is initially only a small pool of cell types to work with. So how do neurons diversify over the embryo’s...
Multiphoton Fluorescence Confocal Microscope

Neuroscientists uncover new neuronal circuitry that controls auditory sensory perception

A team of University of Illinois neuroscientists led by Baher Ibrahim and Daniel Llano recently published a study in eLife that furthers our understanding of how the brain perceives everyday sensory inputs.
Headshot of Beth Stadtmueller

Stadtmueller Lab determines the structure of our predominant mucosal antibody

It has been over 60 years since scientists first identified the molecule that we know today as immunoglobulin (Ig) A. IgA is the predominant class of antibody found in human mucus where it is known as secretory (S) IgA. SIgA functions to bind microbes in extracellular regions such as the gut and...
Headshot of KV Prasanth

Researchers uncover the role of a noncoding RNA in cell proliferation

Kannanganattu V. Prasanth, professor of cell and developmental biology, and members of his lab investigate the regulation of gene expression and RNA biology with a focus on cancer. In a new article published in eLife, “The S-phase-induced lncRNA promotes cell proliferation by controlling YAP1/Hippo...
Huaxun Fan, co-author of study, sits in lab.

New optogenetics study shows promising results for neuronal regeneration

New research by biochemistry professor Kai Zhang and his team at the University of Illinois uses the groundbreaking field of optogenetics to show a potential new route for controlling specific neuron growth with incredible accuracy. Their recent paper “Optical control of ERK and AKT signaling...
Researchers used a variety of techniques, including genome mining, to identify bacteria that produce defensive compounds in response to hormone exposure. Their approach will help in the discovery of new antibiotics and other medically useful molecules.

New approach drives bacteria to produce potential antibiotic, antiparasitic compounds

Researchers have developed a method to spur the production of new antibiotic or antiparasitic compounds hiding in the genomes of actinobacteria, which are the source of drugs such as actinomycin and streptomycin and are known to harbor other untapped chemical riches. The scientists report their...
Headshot of Collin Kieffer in his lab.

Multiscale imaging shines light on the unique importance of bone marrow during HIV infection

HIV-1 affects and kills millions of people globally, but not enough information exists regarding the types of cells that HIV-1 targets in different tissues or the virus’s mechanism of spreading throughout the body. Viruses often ride the body’s circulatory systems to scatter throughout an organism...