A defective protein called gigaxonin has been discovered as the cause of a rare and lethal childhood disease, giant axonal neuropathy (GAN). The protein plays a critical role in degrading intermediate filaments in nerve cells, leading to massive aggregations that disrupt normal functioning.
Researchers discovered that Alzheimer's disease is caused by faulty cell cycle control in neurons, triggered by the combination of amyloid-beta and tau proteins. In normal cells, these proteins do not induce cell cycle re-entry, but in AD neurons, they do, leading to cell death.
Researchers have discovered that farnesyl transferase inhibitors significantly slow the progress of progeria, a rare and lethal genetic disorder. The use of these inhibitors has been shown to slow bone loss and blood vessel blockage in children with progeria.
Rutgers researchers identified a Type III PI4-kinase as an excellent target for panviral therapeutics. Blocking the enzyme was effective in stopping virus replication and saving host cells. The study found that viruses hijack this enzyme to manufacture a lipid necessary for replication.
A new cellular automaton model has successfully predicted how hair follicle stem cells regenerate, shedding light on the mechanisms behind alopecia. The study suggests that improving the environment around hair follicles may be a more effective approach to regrowing hair than implanting stem cells.
Researchers developed a new fluorescent labeling technology to sort the human oral microbiome. The system revealed unexpected interactions between Prevotella and Actinomyces species, suggesting central roles in biofilm production.
A devastating 'founder effect' genetic disorder has been identified as causing defects in mitochondrial energy production in cerebellar neurons. This leads to the development of a debilitating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive damage and coordination problems, ultimately resulting in significant disability.
Researchers at the University of Alabama, Birmingham have found that mutations in primary cilia can disrupt the functioning of the melanin concentrating hormone receptor, leading to increased appetite and weight gain. This discovery sheds light on the potential link between ciliopathies, such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome, and obesity.
Steve Caplan, a scientist-novelist, presented new data on cellular endocytic trafficking at the American Society for Cell Biology's 51st Annual Meeting. His second novel, 'Welcome Home, Sir,' explores divisions between science and national identity, as well as personal struggles of an Israeli-American researcher in the US.
Researchers found that aging human oocytes have a distinctive DNA signature that is reversed in insulin and TGF-beta mutants. In contrast, somatic cells require maintaining protein and cell quality to combat aging. The study's findings could lead to ways to delay oocyte aging and reduce birth defects.
The vasodilator hormone relaxin improved kidney function and blood flow in lab rats with polycystic kidney disease (PKD), a life-threatening genetic disorder. Relaxin also reduced the size of fluid-filled cysts and lowered collagen scores, indicating slowed scar formation.
Researchers at Genentech have identified a binding pocket on the Ras oncogene that provides an opening for therapeutic agents to attach. The discovery makes Ras, a gene mutated in 25% of human tumors, 'druggable' for cancer treatment.
Scientists at the Pasteur Institute discovered a novel defensive weapon against Shigella bacteria: septin protein cages. These cages not only target pathogens for degradation by autophagy but also prevent bacterial spread by impeding access to actin, a cell skeleton component.
The seven winning Celldance 2011 videos demonstrate the structure and function of living organisms at a microscopic scale. The award-winning entries feature various cell types, including fibroblasts and tumor cells, showcasing their behavior and interactions.
The ASCB's online image library has won The Scientist's 2011 Readers' Choice Award for favorite website, showcasing over 3,250 searchable images. The library, funded by the NIH, has attracted 65,000 visits from 157 countries and welcomes contributions from researchers worldwide.
The American Society for Cell Biology (ASCB) has received a $60,000 grant from Nature Publishing Group to support childcare expenses at its Annual Meetings. The ASCB Childcare Awards can be used by scientist-parents to cover costs such as airfare, hotels, and fees related to participating in the five-day event.
Overexpression of PGC-1α significantly improves neurological function in HD-model transgenic mice by reducing htt protein aggregation and oxidative stress. This discovery may lead to therapies targeting PGC-1α function for treating Huntington's disease and related disorders.
Researchers discovered that Trypanosoma brucei parasites can sense their environment, exchange messages, and coordinate movements when seeded onto a surface. This social behavior opens up new avenues for understanding other supposedly solitary parasites like those responsible for malaria and epidemic diarrhea.
Stem cells can sense their environment through touch, with deeper penetration into compliant matrices. The study found that softer surfaces allow cells to feel further, while stiffer surfaces limit their reach.
Research shows that deleting the ghrelin receptor but not the protein itself boosts the body's fat-burning thermostat in aging mice. This results in thinner mice with lower circulating lipids and increased heat production.
Research reveals distinct exocytosis regulation mechanisms between living organisms and laboratory tissue cultures. The study used intravital microscopy to examine exocytosis in live mice, finding that secretory vesicles fuse with the plasma membrane one by one under beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation.
Researchers at Georgetown University successfully generated human-derived islet cells from spermatogonial stem cells, demonstrating their potential to counter diabetic hyperglycemia. The bioengineered cells secreted insulin and exhibited markers characteristic of normal islet cells.
Convergent evolution is observed in Toxoplasma gondii and Chlamydia trachomatis, both hijacking the host cell's Golgi apparatus to secure a nutrient supply. This shared strategy may provide insights into improving therapies for these two common infections.
Researchers identified pomegranate juice components that inhibit the movement of cancer cells and weaken their attraction to a chemical signal. The effects of these components on prostate cancer progression are still controversial and require further testing.
A Canadian researcher has identified a small peptide, 15-1, which blocks fragments of the ubiquitous sugar molecule hyaluronan and promotes robust healing and less scarring in deep wounds. The study found that this peptide effectively reduced wound contraction, collagen deposits, inflammation, and growth of unwanted new blood vessels.
The ASCB's annual film and image contest, Celldance, recognizes 10 members for their visually engaging and scientifically important videos and images. The winning videos and images will be shown on Saturday, Dec. 11, at the ASCB's 50th annual meeting in Philadelphia.
A special issue of CBE—Life Sciences Education journal introduces new ways to integrate mathematical thinking into biology education and vice versa. The articles explore teaching modeling, DNA microarray analysis, fractal geometry, and more to bridge the gap between math and biology skills.
Researchers have created human stem cell-derived neurons to model Alzheimer's disease and Niemann-Pick Type C, revealing early transport defects as a key factor in severe neuronal dysfunction. The study aims to understand how genetic differences affect cellular transport and behavior in these diseases.
Merkel cells are essential for distinguishing shapes and textures, enabling hand dexterity through the sensory coding of light touch. The discovery confirms these cells are required for this function.
The ASCB annual meeting featured the winners of 'Celldance 2009,' a film and still image contest recognizing scientifically important and visually engaging cell content. This year's top prize winners included Angela Stathopoulos for her video '2PEF Imaging Captures Gastrulation in Fly Embryos' and Aswati Subramanian for her scanning el...
Research shows human umbilical stem cells can improve corneal transparency and thickness in laboratory mice. The treatment has the potential to replace corneal transplants as an alternative therapy for severe genetic and corneal eye diseases.
A novel framework encourages adult stem cells to differentiate into heart cells by mimicking the elasticity alterations that occur in protein scaffolds. More cardiomyocytes were formed on this framework than with conventional techniques, suggesting improved cardiac differentiation.
The 'Immune Attack' video game increased teenagers' understanding of cell biology and molecular science, according to a study. Players navigated the microscopic world of immune system proteins and cells to save a patient with bacterial infection, measurably improving their knowledge.
Research finds that fruit flies' nutrient storage and consumption are controlled by opposing clocks in neurons and the fat body. The study reveals a complex interplay between metabolic signals and circadian rhythms, with implications for understanding human metabolism and disease.
Researchers have discovered that fruit fly neurons can rebuild themselves after injury, with a structurally and functionally different component replacing the damaged part. The study reveals a dynamic microtubule response, where dendrites convert to axons, offering potential avenues for understanding axon regeneration.
Researchers used computer search algorithms to identify fragments of FDA-approved drugs that could inhibit neuraminidase proteins, a key target for treating swine and avian influenza. The study suggests six compounds with potential as new medicines if emerging viruses develop resistance to current therapies.
Researchers use live imaging to study breast cancer cell spread, finding TGFb as the control switch. Single cells break away when TGFb is active, while clumps do so when inactive, limiting spread to local lymphatic system.
The American Society for Cell Biology will create an online image library of cell images, videos, and animations. This resource aims to advance science, health, and education by visualizing cellular structure and behavior.
The primary cilium is a vital cellular sensor that detects signals to guide cells toward wounds, promoting efficient healing. Defective cilia impede wound closure and lead to uncontrolled cell migration, potentially contributing to invasive cancers and fibrosis.
Scientists at Northwestern University found that HIV can penetrate female genital tissue by moving quickly between skin cells, allowing the virus to reach immune cells. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that the female genital tract is an efficient barrier to viral penetration.
Researchers discovered that phenazine molecules activate the transcription factor SoxR in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, influencing biofilm formation and gene expression. This finding suggests that tampering with phenazine trafficking could make antibiotics more effective against CF patients' infections.
Scientists have successfully resolved features of cells as small as 20-30 nanometers using Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM), a new 'super-resolution' fluorescence microscopy technique. This breakthrough allows for the visualization of cellular structures at the level where they work.
Research presented at the American Society for Cell Biology conference reveals a modular longevity network linking diet and metabolic genes to human cellular aging. Novel anti-aging small molecules have been identified, which can be used as research tools or potential pharmaceutical agents for age-related disorders.
Scientists use a special glass 'window' to visualize individually-labeled tumor cells as they move through the body's microenvironments. The technique allows researchers to identify critical interactions driving intravasation and develop microenvironment-specific drugs.
Researchers identified gene subnetworks that distinguished patient groups and uncovered new genes associated with breast cancer. These findings may lead to more accurate diagnostics and prognosis for various types of cancer, including leukemia, prostate cancer, and lung cancer.
Researchers at University of California, Berkeley discovered that blocking proteins coded by notorious gene MYC can stop ovarian cancer cell proliferation. By using RNA interference and small interfering RNA to silence L-Myc and N-Myc proteins, the scientists were able to shut down growth in non-amplified MYC tumors.
Researchers discovered that blocking proteins produced by the MYC oncogene can halt ovarian cancer cell proliferation. Using RNA interference, they silenced c-Myc and L-Myc proteins in lab cultures with amplified MYC, preventing cancer cell growth.
Research reveals that the immune system's phagocytic response is stronger at night and weaker during the day, with flies infected at night showing improved survival rates. The study suggests that circadian proteins play a crucial role in regulating immunity, particularly during restorative functions like sleep.
Scientists have successfully transplanted a single adult stem cell into a live mammal and shown that it can self-renew and repair damaged tissue. The study used genetically engineered cells to track their dynamics, demonstrating the ability of these cells to proliferate and engraft into injured muscle tissue.
Researchers have identified a possible new therapeutic target for pancreatic cancer, the SINA gene, which regulates cell growth and oncogenesis. Inhibiting this gene's function may lead to novel anti-cancer therapies.