Steven Reppert, MD, the Higgins Family Professor of Neuroscience and chair and professor of neurobiology, was interviewed by national media last week about his work sequencing the half-billion letters that make up the monarch butterfly’s genome. Dr. Reppert’s research is a powerful new tool in science’s quest to understand the genetic basis for how these fist-sized insects migrate from as far away as 2,000 miles to a small region in Mexico roughly 300 square miles in size. 

The Monarch Butterfly Genome Yields Insights into Long-Distance Migration
Cell - November 23, 2011

Butterfly’s epic journey comes to light
Boston Globe – November 23, 2011

Monarch butterfly genome sequenced
Boston.com – November 23, 2011

Monarch Butterfly Genome Gives Clues about Slew of Migration Mysteries
Scientific America – November 23, 2011

Monarch butterfly genome gives clues about slew of migration mysteries
Nature – November 24, 2011

Monarch Butterfly Genome Sequenced
Science Daily – November 23, 2011

Scientists Reveal Monarch Butterfly Genome
US News – November 23, 2011

Researchers Sequence Monarch Butterfly’s Genome
redOrbit – November 24, 2011

Monarch butterfly's genome revealed
Daily News & Analysis – November 24, 2011

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Butterfly genome yields new insights into genetic basis of seasonal migration