In The News
29 September 2026
Rapidly Evolving Aphid Proteins Share a Common Structural Blueprint
From Technology Networks: The Stern Lab reveals a shared structural blueprint among thousands of rapidly evolving aphid proteins.
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What makes life work?
By uncovering the secrets underlying fundamental biological processes, we can find innovative approaches to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease.
Foundational science. Profound implications.
Discovery
Foundational research is where cures begin. Discoveries resulting from studying the fundamental processes of life frequently prove to be major milestones toward novel therapies and treatments.
Innovation
World-class equipment and collaborative partnerships. Our researchers work side-by-side with experts in our Technology Centers. The unique model has catapulted the Institute to the forefront of innovative science.
Hope
We are dedicated to encouraging motivated individuals to pursue science or science-related professions — from our accredited Graduate School to our training programs for post-docs, post-bacs and undergrads.
25 Years of Discovery
The Stowers Institute is dedicated to the next 25 years of biological discovery. In the words of our founders, “The best is yet to be.” Learn how we are honoring the milestone and celebrating the future of biological discovery. Explore a timeline of the Institute's history, hear from founding members, and reflect on the vision of Jim and Virginia Stowers.
25 Years of DiscoveryStowers Institute at a Glance
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500
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Acre campus
150
Ongoing research projects
Stowers Research Conferences: Ribosome Heterogeneity and Translational Control from Cells to Organisms
Join us for the fall 2026 Stowers Research Conference. Registration is now open!
Oct 21-23, 2026
Register nowOur unique funding model allows the freedom to explore the unexpected.
Transformational science requires the transformation of science. Through the unparalleled generosity and vision of our founders, Jim and Virginia Stowers, we have a scientific ecosystem that encourages discovery and innovation. Jim, founder of American Century Investments, and Virginia followed their initial generous investment by establishing a funding model that provides ongoing support of our research through the annual dividends from American Century Investments. Because of this structure, Stowers scientists are uniquely positioned to explore with freedom, and allowed the ability to follow biological avenues that lead to novel discoveries and to share their findings for the betterment of humanity.
Applications for the Stowers Graduate School Ph.D. Program are open
Join the Fall 2027 class and take the next step in your scientific journey.
Apply HereThe Latest News & Events
In The News
24 September 2026
Shared blueprint in aphid proteins helps AI predict their structures
From Phys.org: The Stern Lab reveals how evolution helped AI predict the structures of thousands of rapidly evolving aphid proteins.
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Press Release
22 September 2026
Stowers scientists uncover a hidden blueprint in aphids, providing a way to predict what AI couldn’t solve alone
In an evolutionary arms race with plants, aphids deploy thousands of rapidly evolving proteins. A team led by Stowers Institute and HHMI Investigator David Stern, Ph.D., discovered a shared architecture beneath them and revealed how evolution can help AI predict similar protein structures across biology.
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News
15 September 2026
Stowers Institute and Stanford University study reveals a marine worm rebuilds its cellular identity during metamorphosis
New single-cell atlas of the acorn worm shows that most tissues undergo a genome-wide transcriptional overhaul as larva becomes adult, providing new insights into how some organisms remake their bodies in ways humans can’t.
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News
15 September 2026
Pairing biology with physics, from the Stowers Institute and beyond
Augusto Ortega Granillo, Ph.D., reflects on his journey from the Stowers Graduate School to his postdoctoral research at the Max Planck Institute
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In The News
11 September 2026
New brain atlas shows neurons don't inherit their identity—they build it in their first hours of life
From Medical Xpress: Stowers scientists reveal how neurons build their identities during a critical window in their first hours of life.
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Press Release
10 September 2026
New Stowers Institute brain atlas shows neurons don’t inherit their identity — they build it in their first hours of life
The atlas of nearly a quarter million fly brain cells is the first to read both the genes and the DNA switches that control them across an entire developing brain region, providing new insights for "designing" neurons to treat neurological disease.
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In The News
09 September 2026
DeepMind’s new genome ‘atlas’ charts effects of all nine billion human gene mutations
From Nature: Stowers scientists’ work with Google DeepMind is highlighted in a look at AlphaGenome Atlas and its potential to reveal the regulatory language of DNA.
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In The News
09 September 2026
DeepMind launches AlphaGenome, aiming to predict gene regulation from DNA sequence
From STAT: Stowers Investigator Julia Zeitlinger discusses AlphaGenome, Google DeepMind’s AI model designed to predict gene regulation from DNA sequence.
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Our Organisms
Answers to fundamental questions of biology can be found by turning to nature. From mice, fruit flies, yeast, and bacteria, to plants, planarians, sea anemones, coral, killifish, apple snails, and more, a broad range of research organisms reside at the Institute.
Cared for by dedicated teams of technicians, each was carefully chosen based on their ability to solve specific biological questions — aiding in advancing our understanding of how life works.
Learn more about our organisms and their extraordinary biological feats.
Defining New Frontiers
Kansas City: born from a spirit of discovery
Incredible science comes from curious and creative minds. Our bold and innovative approach to research is the perfect match for the dynamic culture and profound pride you’ll find in Kansas City. Similar to the Stowers Institute, Kansas City is pushing boundaries. An incredible food and music scene, world-class art institutions, and championship sports teams are just a few of the great attributes that set KC apart. See why we’ve chosen the heart of the country as our home.