Science is humanity's grand endeavor to understand the universe & our place in it Every scientific breakthrough a testament to our curiosity & perseverance Science remains our compass, guiding us through the labyrinth of ideas, helping us distinguish truth from illusion, voices from echoes

We are excited to introduce the 2026 Summer Scholars! Over the next few months, these talented undergraduate researchers will be working side-by-side with our investigators and technology center experts, diving deep into foundational biological #research. 🔬

Good food. Great people. Perfect summer weather. ☀️ Institute members, families, and guests came together last week for our annual Food Fest celebration, enjoying everything from summer classics to new culinary favorites.

This #MicroscopyMonday is an adult fly #brain, labeled in orange is the mushroom body, the #memory center in flies, and the neurons on the sides are part of the medulla of the eye, essential for color vision. (Si Lab) 🧠

A wonderful cultural interlude at #IPM26! 🎹 Harini Aswin captivated the audience with a piano performance featuring Western classical pieces, Indian music, and her own original compositions, bringing art and science together in perfect harmony.

🎉Day 1 of #IPM26 is underway! The meeting opened with a welcome address by @DPalakodeti from inStem, Bengaluru, setting the stage for exciting discussions and discoveries in stem cell and regenerative biology. Looking forward to a stimulating scientific program ahead!

From aspiring Pokémon trainer to studying one of nature's most fascinating organisms. Postdoc in the @Planaria1 Lab, @JorgeMorenoPhD, investigates aging and #regeneration in the so-called "immortal jellyfish," searching for clues about longevity, rejuvenation, and the diversity of life. Learn more about his #research journey, favorite #KansasCity spots, and advice for future scientists. 🔗 Read more: stowers.org/news/aging-and-r…

Are "little lab zombies" the key to understanding tissue longevity? 🧟‍♂️ Scientists have discovered sea cucumber tissues that survive, swim, and change shape in lab dishes for years. Commenting for @SmithsonianMag, President & CSO @Planaria1 highlighted that the most remarkable takeaway is the sustained coordination of complex biological processes still happening in these tissues. Read the full article: smithsonianmag.com/smart-new…

Could the secret to understanding #immortality be a sea cucumber? 🌊🥒 In a new feature via @sciam, President and CSO @Planaria1, provides expert insight on a new marine #regeneration study and what it takes to truly define "biological immortality." Read more: bit.ly/4f8M8kj

📸Image credit: @GelatinousSting

Today we wish Bob Dylan a happy 85th birthday. Listen to this excerpt from Dylan's Nobel Prize lecture where he reflects on the literary influences that shaped his songwriting. Classic works like 'Moby-Dick', 'All Quiet on the Western Front', and 'The Odyssey' informed his understanding of storytelling and human nature. Hear the full lecture: bit.ly/4kI1Qm5

Regeneration and Development in Axolotls: from Xochimilco to the Lab SALAMANDER MEETING UNAM, Mexico City, October 6-8, 2026. salamander2026.iibiomedicas.…

Iguanas appear to embody deep time itself and carry themselves as if they still remember they were once dragons.

An incredible evening of music in the Library 🎶 Last night, members and guests of the Stowers community gathered for Experiments in Sound featuring vocalist Ron Gutierrez, whose soulful performance brought together influences from jazz, R&B, country, and pop for a memorable night at the Institute.

Every organism has something to teach us. 🧬 Studying diverse forms of life, from plants and insects to #zebrafish and beyond, helps scientists uncover the biological principles that connect all living things. On #BiodiversityDay, we celebrate the organisms that inspire #discovery and expand our understanding of life. 🐟 Learn more about our #UnordinaryOrganisms: bit.ly/3ZnG9ht

Huge congratulations to former @StowersGrad Summer Scholar Isaac Witte on graduating with his #PhD from @Harvard this month! 🎓🧬 Before he was leading breakthroughs in genome editing published in @ScienceMagazine Isaac started his journey right here in #KansasCity. In 2017, he spent his summer in the lab of President & CSO @Planaria1. His time at the bench exploring #planarian regeneration gave him the foundation to tackle some of #science’s biggest questions. We are incredibly proud to be a part of his story! 🪱 🔗 Read his graduation feature in the @HarvardGazette: bit.ly/4ute9YF

Developmental biology conference in Colombia! Pre-meeting courses available. bit.ly/42pk2ts

What if we could detect and remove the broken machinery inside our cells? In every cell, millions of #ribosomes work to build the proteins that keep us alive. But when those ribosomes break down, the consequences can ripple across human #health. In our latest #WhatIf story, Investigator Kamena Kostova asks: what if we could find defective ribosomes and clear them before they contribute to diseases like #cancer and #neurodegeneration? And what if discoveries like these didn’t take decades—but could begin to make an impact much sooner? Watch the full story ↓ 🔗 Read more: bit.ly/3P21Y5o

New model organism t-shirts available through @SocDevBio merch store. sdb-official-merch.printify.… @Planaria1

Since the first cell emerged, life on Earth has evolved in astounding ways. 🌎 This #EarthDay, we’re celebrating the incredible diversity of life that helps scientists understand how biology works. Learn more: bit.ly/3ZnG9ht

A lab with an #ocean view. 🌊 Through a partnership with the @MBLScience, scientists from the Stowers Institute have access to one of the world’s most historic hubs for biological discovery. Surrounded by #marinelife and a global community of researchers, the collaboration helps spark new ideas, and new questions about how life works. #EarthMonth 🔗 bit.ly/4nytF2o