Noise helps cells make decisions
A new study by the Reik lab finds that genetic noise is essential for cells to make decisions about their fate, enabling symmetry breaking and unique cell types.
Babraham Institute
Rahul Roychoudhuri awarded prestigious Lister Prize
Babraham Institute group leader Dr Rahul Roychoudhuri has been selected for the £200,000 Lister Institute Research Prize Fellowship to support his research on immune system regulation and suppression. His goal is to better understand how gene regulators affect T cells and potentially treat autoimmune diseases.
Cannibal cells may limit cancer growth
New research reveals a mechanism driving cell cannibalism in tumors, suggesting it may resist cancer growth. Weakened cell attachments trigger entosis, where one cell kills and digests another, potentially slowing or preventing tumor growth.
Genetic DJ: Growing cells remix their genes
A study by Babraham Institute and Weizmann Institute reveals genes are constantly rearranged in cells, changing their positions to fine-tune gene expression. Researchers collected data from over 4,000 individual cells using single-cell Hi-C technology, providing unique insights into genome organisation.
Mapping genes could improve cancer diagnosis
Researchers have developed a new method to detect genetic changes in cancer cells using Hi-C, which can identify major genome rearrangements and copy number variations with high accuracy. This approach has the potential to aid targeted treatments and enhance cancer diagnosis.
Expressing genetic interactions through music
The Chromos EP captures microscopic elegance of gene organisation using moving soundscapes, revealing how genes interact and influence each other. Researchers from the Babraham Institute's nuclear dynamics research are changing our understanding of biology with their findings.
Tick tock, stay ahead of the aging clock!
Researchers at Babraham Institute and European Bioinformatics Institute identified a mouse epigenetic ageing clock, which shows age-related changes in DNA methylation. The accuracy of the mouse clock is surprisingly similar to humans, with lifestyle interventions affecting ticking rate.
A tale of 2 states
Human embryonic stem cells exist in two states: naïve and primed. Researchers have identified molecular flags on these cells, allowing them to track and investigate their transition. This approach has revealed new insights into the timing and coordination of gene activity changes during reprogramming.
Aging can be good for you (if you're a yeast)
Research in yeast reveals increased adaptability with age, benefiting growth on alternative food sources like galactose. This study challenges the notion of aging as an inevitable process, suggesting potential benefits and ancient mechanisms that may be conserved in more complex organisms.
Understanding X-chromosome silencing in humans
Scientists have discovered a new long RNA molecule, XACT, which accumulates with XIST on active X-chromosomes in human embryos. This finding explains why XIST is unable to trigger X-chromosome silencing until later stages of development. The research also reveals that XACT restrains XIST activity before chromosome silencing occurs.
Controlling gene activity in human development
Researchers at the Babraham Institute used CRISPR to delete PRC2 from human embryonic stem cells, revealing its role in keeping genes switched off until needed. Loss of PRC2 caused compromised cell quality and specialisation into mature cell types.
A change of heart
Cardiac diseases cause pathological growth leading to heart failure. Researchers found epigenetic marks responsible for this growth are lost in disease, allowing cells to switch back to fetal form and leading to irregular rhythms. This finding points to a new strategy for epigenetic therapy.
Researchers identify missing links that connect human DNA variation with disease
A team of researchers has discovered thousands of disease-related genes by analyzing the connections between genes and remote regulatory regions in blood cells. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and Crohn's disease.
Vitamins A and C help erase cell memory
Researchers discovered vitamins A and C enhance epigenetic memory erasure by increasing TET enzyme activity, a crucial step for regenerative medicine. The study provides insights into the mechanisms of vitamin A and C action, with potential implications for treating vitamin A-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia.
Real-time imaging uncovers mTORC1 dynamics
Researchers at the Babraham Institute successfully tagged a protein in the mTORC1 complex to observe its movement in real time. The discovery sheds light on how mTORC1 regulates cell growth and ageing, revealing new insights into its dynamics and signalling pathways.
Insights into the development of sperm and egg cell precursors in the embryo
Researchers developed a method to generate primordial germ cell 'lookalike' cells, enabling the study of early stages of specification and regulation of developmental timings. This breakthrough opens up new avenues for understanding transgenerational epigenetic inheritance in humans.
Autophagy under the microscope as never before
Scientists have dissected the autophagy process in unprecedented molecular detail using live imaging and super resolution microscopy. The study reveals how the first autophagy structure forms and clarifies protein and membrane associations leading to its development into a fully-fledged autophagosome.
Brain in a dish to learn more about Alzheimer's disease
Researchers at the Babraham Institute have developed a technique to replicate early changes in Alzheimer's disease in a lab-dish model. This breakthrough allows for the study of the disease's progression and potential treatments without animal testing.
Pick me! Pick me! How genes are selected to create diverse immune cell receptors
Researchers developed a new technique to study the gene shuffling process that creates diverse immune cell receptors. By analyzing the frequency of use of different V segment genes, they uncovered complex regulatory mechanisms involved in receptor diversity.
Stem cells know how to open up and unwind
Research found that heterochromatin organisation in embryonic stem cells is maintained in an open form through the action of key stem cell factors. This open architecture may contribute to keeping stem cells unspecialised and full of developmental potential.
The importance of resting phases in B cell development
Researchers discovered that B cells rely on RNA binding proteins ZFP36L1 and ZFP36L2 to induce quiescence, allowing them to 'rest up' between developmental events. This mechanism is crucial for proper B cell development, as seen in mice where a 98% reduction of mature B cells was observed when these proteins were absent.
Raising a child has a bigger effect on the immune system than gastroenteritis
A recent study by researchers at VIB and KU Leuven in Belgium and the Babraham Institute in the UK discovered that raising a child together has a significant impact on one's immune system. Individuals who co-parented a child showed a 50% reduction in variation between their two immune systems, compared to the wider population.
Mom's in control -- even before you're born
Researchers have discovered that epigenetic information in the egg plays a crucial role in shaping the development of the placenta during pregnancy. The study found that DNA methylation marks from the egg are essential for correct placental development, particularly in regulating cell adhesion and migration.
Novel insights into genetic cause of autoimmune diseases
Researchers have developed a new technique that maps genomic contact points to shed light on the parts of the genome involved in autoimmune diseases. This approach identified novel candidate genes relating to the risk of developing conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and type 1 diabetes.
More of a good thing is not always better -- and certainly not if you are a stem cell
Researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered a delicate balance between three key transcription factors that determine the fate of trophoblast stem cells. This balance, rather than the presence or absence of individual factors, dictates whether stem cells self-renew or differentiate into specialized cell types.
Packaging and unpacking of the genome
Studies reveal crucial role of histone chaperone protein in maintaining epigenetic landscape and genomic fidelity. Deletion of key protein leads to severe developmental defects, DNA damage, and compromised gene regulation.
Queen or worker? Flexibility between roles relies on just a few genes
A study on dinosaur ants and red paper wasps found subtle, non-random arrangements of gene networks distinguish queens from workers, suggesting no single master gene regulates caste differentiation. The research also suggests that epigenetic modifications play a limited role in regulating these differences.
Come here and be quiet!
A novel technique identified an unusually strong 3D network of developmental genes in ESCs, physically clustered and silenced by Polycomb repressive complex (PRC1) to maintain the undifferentiated state. This mechanism allows for selective release of genes, controlling early development decisions.
Fly model of motor neuron degeneration provides new avenues for exploration in humans
Researchers developed a fly model to study age-dependent neurodegeneration at single cell resolution, identifying three genes involved in the process. The findings have relevance for understanding ALS progression and could lead to therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Yeast cells optimize their genomes in response to the environment
Researchers found that yeast modify their genomes to produce more ribosomes in response to excess calories, enabling faster replication and optimal growth. This study reveals a new mechanism by which organisms can adapt to environmental changes.
Joining the genomic dots
A new technique called Promoter Capture Hi-C was used to connect regulatory elements in the mouse and human genomes, providing insight into how genes are regulated. The analysis identified long-range interactions between promoters and enhancers, shedding light on the genetic basis of disease.