A $11-million grant will support a research team in understanding how genetic variation affects the response to anti-cancer drugs. The team aims to develop personalized dosing strategies to increase treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.
Two CIIT researchers were honored for their scholarship by the Society of Toxicology. Dr. Li You was recognized for his work on the effect of DDE, while Dr. Thomas Gelzleichter received an award for his study on inhaled ceramic fibers. Additionally, CIIT Predoctoral Fellow Amy Collins Licata won a student award for her presentation on ...
Researchers found greater numbers of estrogen receptors on lung cancer cells, suggesting a role for this hormone in enhancing tumor growth. Estrogen was shown to increase cell division and tumor growth in both cultured lung cancer cells and animal models.
Researchers have created a fly model of Parkinson's disease, replicating the dense protein inclusions and symptoms of the disease. The flies exhibit loss of dopamine-producing neurons and motor deficits, similar to those found in humans, making them an ideal model for testing new drugs and therapeutic approaches.
Researchers found that Pin1 depletion allows cell division despite DNA damage, suggesting drugs inhibiting Pin1 could trigger cancer cells to divide and die even with lethal damage. This approach may spare normal cells from uncontrolled division.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have created a vaccine using a weakened rabies virus to carry an HIV envelope protein into cells, prompting the immune system to produce anti-HIV antibodies. The successful test in mice lends promise to eventually developing a human vaccine against HIV.
Researchers found that brain steroid allopregnanolone mediates many of alcohol's effects, including anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant actions. The study suggests that blocking this compound may inhibit alcohol's sedative-hypnotic effects.
Researchers found that apoE4, a high-risk version of the lipoprotein, directly promotes the development of neuritic plaques in the brain by enabling amyloid-beta to form into hair-shaped fibrils. ApoE3 had less damaging effects. The study used a mouse model and showed that apoE interaction with amyloid-beta leads to neurodegeneration.
Researchers found changes in brain cells in rats treated with anti-depressant and obesity drugs, including shriveling and abnormal corkscrew shapes. The study raises concerns about the prolonged use of such commonly prescribed drugs as fluoxetine and sertraline.
Scientists discover a new way cells can relay messages to affect gene activity through a protein-processing program that dismantles proteins into fragments acting as messengers. The study reveals a fragment of the developmental protein Notch serves as a messenger determining a cell's fate, influencing gene activity and cell behavior.
Scientists propose a revised four-point location model to explain how proteins discriminate between mirror-image molecules. This new understanding could significantly impact drug design, as it challenges the long-held three-point attachment model and may lead to more effective treatment strategies.
A recent study found that nicotine increases alcohol consumption and may require simultaneous treatment for addiction. Nicotine activates the brain's nicotinic receptors, leading to dopamine release, similar to alcohol consumption.
Researchers develop a mouse model for intrauterine growth retardation and find that administering indomethacin during pregnancy can rescue underweight fetuses. The study provides promising insights into the underlying biochemistry of IUGR and identifies a potential therapeutic approach.
Researchers have produced the first 3-D structures of poliovirus in the moments after it attaches to and enters a host cell. The structures reveal tiny adjustments in the virus's protein shell that allow it to grab onto its host receptor more tightly.
A University of North Carolina Health Care study led by Lee Graves clarifies how cells grow and suggests new drug targets for cancer cells. The research focuses on the MAP kinase enzyme and its role in regulating cell growth.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have found a cellular communication method in the brain that could lead to improved treatments for schizophrenia and addiction. The study demonstrated how proteins can modify each other's function, including the ability of neurons to accept or reject dopamine and other neurochemicals.
A University of Pittsburgh-led research team discovered that the gene for gastrin-releasing peptide receptor is more active in women than men, leading to increased cell proliferation and lung cancer growth. Nicotine from cigarettes also stimulates this gene expression, explaining why women are at a higher risk of developing lung cancer...
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have used a gene repair technique to genetically change white albino mice hairs to black, showing stable and long-lasting changes in skin cells. The technique has potential as a treatment for some hereditary diseases by correcting genetic mutations.
A new nicotine vaccine has been developed to prevent and treat tobacco addiction by blocking nicotine from reaching the brain. The vaccine, which uses antibodies to bind to nicotine, has shown promising results in laboratory studies, reducing nicotine levels in the brain by up to 64%.
Researchers have figured out how kinesin motors separate chromosomes, distribute embryonic material, and transport precious cargo in organisms. The discovery reveals a crucial leapfrog motion that allows the motors to move along microtubules, generating force to haul objects up to a thousand times their own size.
Researchers at UNC-CH have successfully repaired a genetic problem causing cystic fibrosis, offering new hope for patients. The technique involves correcting a mutation involving unnecessary information inside a gene, resulting in the production of normal messenger RNA.
Recent findings suggest that neurosteroids play a major role in alcohol's effects on the brain by increasing GABA function. Neurosteroids interact with neurotransmitter receptors to alter neurotransmission, producing their effects in a millisecond time frame.
Researchers have mapped the functional organization of the hippocampus, a critical area for short-term memory, using microelectrodes to record electrical impulses from individual neurons. The study shows that different portions of the hippocampus are active at different times depending on the type of memory function required.
A genetic defect in a protein receptor has been identified as the cause of Leydig cell adenoma, a rare testicular tumor that triggers early puberty in boys. The mutation leads to rapid growth and overproduction of testosterone without normal hormonal signals.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University have developed a blood test to detect the spread of colorectal cancer to lymph nodes by identifying the presence of a protein called GCC. This test may help doctors diagnose the disease more accurately and provide better treatment options for patients.
Researchers found calcium citrate absorbed 22-27% better than calcium carbonate, effective in preventing bone loss and stabilizing bone density. The studies confirmed the benefits of calcium citrate in maintaining bone health in early menopause.
Neurobiologists identified an alcohol-sensitive potassium channel that enhances neurotransmitter action, producing profound physiological effects in the central nervous system. The discovery has significant implications for understanding alcohol addiction and may influence neuron communication.
Yale researchers have created a new method to record electrical activities within living cells, providing insights into degenerative neurological diseases like Parkinson's. The technique, which allows scientists to study inaccessible parts of cells, has already led to findings on how neurons learn and remember.
Researchers are refining technologies to identify active genes in the central nervous system, accelerating understanding of diseases like Alzheimer's, depression, and schizophrenia. Two teams use distinct approaches: one detects proteins or RNA in intact neurons, while the other identifies genes involved in daily rhythms.
A five-year clinical trial found that premenopausal women taking fenretinide had a lower risk of developing another breast cancer, while postmenopausal women showed no significant benefit. The study also detected a reduced risk of ovarian cancer in younger women treated with fenretinide.
The five-year grant will fund five major research projects, including studies on animal models, brain imaging techniques, and clinical trials. The goal is to improve tobacco addiction treatment by understanding why current treatments fail and developing new behavioral and drug treatments.
Harvard researchers have created the first atomic-resolution image of a donut-shaped enzyme that unwinds the DNA double helix for replication. The structure reveals how six individual polypeptide lobes arrange themselves to look like a ring of bread buns, providing new insights into the molecular motor's mechanism.
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has been awarded a $42.1 million federal contract to study the effectiveness and safety of new anti-psychotic drugs for treating schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. The five-year study will enroll 1,000 patients with schizophrenia and 400-500 Alzheimer's patients.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University and Oxford University have found a promising drug against the hepatitis C virus (HCV), called N-nonyl-DNJ, which inhibits the activity of an important cellular enzyme, glucosidase. This drug may sidestep resistant viruses, a major problem with current treatments.
Researchers have developed a statistical technique to determine how different positions in a protein interact with each other. This breakthrough will help scientists understand protein function more efficiently, leading to the development of more effective drugs for various diseases.
Researchers found that extracts from Scutellaria baicalensis significantly reduce cellular damage due to free radicals. The extract helped cells regain their ability to contract rhythmically after simulating cardiac arrest, reducing cell death by 47% compared to untreated cells.
Augusto Sola, a renowned pediatrician, will be honored with the E.H. Christopherson Award for his pioneering efforts in improving neonatal and perinatal care in Central and South America. He has developed training programs for healthcare providers and trained over 100 nurses and 200 physicians.
Scientists have identified TNF-alpha as a major contributor to early liver injury from long-term alcohol consumption, paving the way for new treatments. The study used gene knockout technology and found that mice lacking TNF receptors fared better on measures of liver injury after alcohol exposure.
A study found that tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) plays a crucial role in early liver damage caused by alcohol consumption. The researchers used gene knockout technology to show that TNF-alpha mediates the development of liver injury, leading to potential new drug therapies for conditions affecting millions of Americans.
Researchers at Duke University discovered that cancer gene c-Abl triggers the internal framework of cells, building nerve cells and aiding movement. Altering levels of growth factors and Src protein revealed c-Abl's normal function.
A study published in the Journal of Comparative Neurology found that moderate fetal alcohol exposure can cause the corpus callosum to be larger than normal, contradicting previous research. This could have significant implications for our understanding of fetal alcohol syndrome and its effects on brain development.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have found that melatonin speeds up bone formation and increases production of bone matrix proteins, suggesting a potential link to osteoporosis prevention. The study used mouse and rat cells to demonstrate the role of melatonin in promoting bone growth.
A new study found that heavy alcohol consumption initiates free-radical mediated processes associated with heart disease, stroke, cirrhosis of the liver, and other chronic diseases. Vitamin C may help quell this activity, potentially limiting organ injury.
Scientists at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have identified a new target for drugs that inhibit tumor angiogenesis. Thromboxane A2 receptor antagonists show promise in blocking endothelial cell migration and preventing blood vessel formation associated with tumors.
The Wake Forest University School of Medicine has been awarded $400,000 for a new MicroPET scanner, which will enable researchers to conduct PET studies in nonhuman primates and rodents. The scanner's higher resolution allows for more detailed brain structure imaging.
Researchers at UNC-CH have developed a new gene mutation detection method that is simple and inexpensive. This technique allows scientists to screen for minute changes in the genetic makeup of humans, animals, plants or viruses.
Research published in Molecular Psychiatry found St. John's Wort to have a better antidepressant effect than placebo and comparable effects to standard antidepressants. The herb's favorable side effect profile may contribute to its advantages over other medications.
Researchers found a dual-purpose protein, FucR, that allows Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron to control its nutrient intake by silencing or activating genes involved in fucose metabolism. This communication mechanism may be crucial for maintaining intestinal ecosystem stability and preventing the overgrowth of harmful microbes.
Scientists at the University of Iowa have discovered a powerful tool to activate human dendritic cells, key players in the immune system, using CpG DNA. This breakthrough could lead to enhanced immunization and treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center discovered novel regulatory mechanisms that move serotonin transporters on and off the cell surface. This finding opens possibilities for developing new antidepressant drugs with novel actions.
A landmark study shows ReQuip reduces dyskinesia risk by 15-fold compared to L-dopa, with comparable symptom control and lower required doses. The treatment has improved patient outcomes and reduced CNS adverse experiences.
Researchers found that Slit repels young cells from their target destination, guiding them through the brain via concentration gradients. The discovery has implications for understanding neural migration and potentially treating neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's.
A team of researchers found that tumor necrosis factor (TNF) may have a double-edged effect on brain-injured tissue, with potential benefits in chronic stages but harm in early stages. Blocking TNF in acute phases may be beneficial, while long-term recovery requires natural TNF presence.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center are exploring the role of aspirin and similar drugs in preventing colon cancer. They will study the mechanism of COX2 inhibition and its potential as a therapeutic target for colon cancer prevention.
Researchers found that head trauma impairs brain cells' ability to detect and repair DNA damage, leading to weeks of prolonged cell death. The study suggests that the body's surveillance system breaks down after an injury, making it difficult for cells to recover.
The Rush University Medical Center has launched a new NIH-funded program to train individuals in the fundamentals of clinical research. The program, which includes courses on biostatistics, epidemiology, and research ethics, aims to prepare individuals for careers in clinical research.
Scientists have identified enzymes called kinases that add phosphates to inositol, triggering the export of messenger RNA from the cell nucleus. The discovery provides insight into a previously unknown signaling pathway and its role in regulating gene expression.
The American Heart Association awarded Gold Heart Awards to Edmond M. Hoffman and Harold C. Strauss for their significant contributions to the organization over several decades. Their work includes promoting increased federal funding of biomedical research and relocating the National Center from New York City to Dallas.
A genetic trait has been found to predispose people to Gulf War syndrome, a condition where veterans of the war may have gotten ill from chemical exposures. The study reveals that people with high levels of a specific enzyme did not get sick, while those with low levels did.
A UCSF team has identified a key gene, sgk, that regulates blood pressure by mediating the effects of aldosterone. The discovery could lead to more effective therapies for hypertension and low blood pressure, two conditions affecting millions of Americans.