This evolution was made possible by genetic and environmental changes over millions of years. The study on chickens has provided a better understanding of how genes influence feather development.

The study, published April 8 in Nature Genetics, brings together a massive amount of genetic and epigenetic data of more than 100 chicken breeds from around the world. The team, which included ...

ensuring their proper development even under substantial genetic or environmental perturbations. Inhibiting the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway strongly perturbs feather development in chickens by ...

Chickens treated to inhibit the sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway during development grow feathers that resemble ancient ...

The laboratory of Michel Milinkovitch, professor at the Department of Genetics ... vessels of chicken embryos and observed the complete and permanent transformation of scales into feathers on ...

As part of their study of feather evolution, scientists have tried to restore the original appearance of chickens. They succeeded ... «The big challenge now is to understand how these genetic ...

Scientists believe that feathers first evolved for thermal insulation, before playing a role in flight and courtship displays. This evolution was made possible by genetic and environmental changes ...

An international team of researchers led by Professor Huaijun Zhou from the UC Davis Department of Animal Science has created ...