Genes & Cells

Caterpillars brainwashed by virus, bacteria break DNA and more in this week's news

Virus gene makes caterpillars climb
Scientists have discovered a gene that baculoviruses use to hijack gypsy moth caterpillars’ brains. When infected with the virus, caterpillars climb to the tops of trees they live on, die, liquefy and rain down viruses on other gypsy moths.