Researchers at EPFL have identified a key player in the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver. The study found that impaired SUMOylation of nuclear receptor LRH-1 promotes NAFLD, highlighting potential new treatments and biomarkers for the disease.
Scientists developed a microfluidics-based technique called SMiLE-seq to characterize DNA-binding proteins, increasing speed, accuracy and efficiency. The technique can analyze over 60 transcription factors, including nine new ones, and has the potential to be extended to other molecules.
A protein called Peroxiredoxin 1 (PRDX1) has been identified as a key player in protecting telomeres from oxidative damage. By analyzing the protein composition of telomeres across the cell cycle, researchers found that PRDX1 functions as an antioxidant enzyme, preserving telomeric DNA for extension by telomerase.
Researchers have developed a simple and inexpensive method for stabilizing vaccines at room temperature using nanoparticles, polymers, or sugar. This approach could improve vaccine storage and distribution, especially in remote areas with limited refrigeration, reducing the cost of vaccination programs by nearly 80%.
EPFL scientists developed a new perovskite material with rapid and reversible magnetic properties, enabling high-density data storage systems. The material's unique photovoltaic properties allow for easy manipulation of its magnetic order via light illumination.
Researchers found that pancreatic beta cells release proteins and their packaging, exosomes, which target the immune system. The study suggests a new direction for treatments focused on inhibiting immune cell activation.
EPFL scientists have developed a patent-pending hydrogel that can grow organoids in a standardized and controlled way, overcoming current limitations. The breakthrough provides a fully controllable and tunable environment for growing miniature organs, shedding light on the influence of physical factors on stem cell behavior.
Researchers have identified a new receptor in Drosophila flies that detects bacterial infections and triggers an immune response. The discovery adds to our understanding of the insect's innate immunity and provides insights into the human immune system.
Red squirrels in Britain and Ireland are found to be infected with leprosy bacteria, M. leprae and M. lepromatosis. This discovery raises concerns for conservation efforts as the disease can be transmitted among red squirrels, highlighting the need for better management.
A primate regained control of its paralyzed leg using a neuroprosthetic system that decodes brain activity associated with walking movements and relays this information to the spinal cord. The system was tested in collaboration with an international network of collaborators, including Medtronic and the University of Bordeaux.
Scientists at EPFL and Nestéle Institute of Health Sciences identified 5000 proteins affected by the diurnal cycle in mouse liver cells. The study used cutting-edge proteomics to monitor protein accumulation over a 24-hour cycle, revealing key cellular functions such as DNA repair and ribosome biogenesis were also affected.
Scientists at EPFL and PSI have discovered a new class of multiferroic Rashba semiconductors, which can be used to develop spintronics. These materials exhibit exotic properties, including the interaction between electric and magnetic fields, and could pave the way for future quantum computers.
EPFL scientists have discovered a way to convert lignin from plant biomass into valuable molecules for biofuels and plastics using formaldehyde. The method resulted in yields 3-7 times higher than those without formaldehyde, offering a potential solution for sustainable energy production.
Large doses of nicotinamide riboside have been found to effectively counteract the progress of Duchenne muscular dystrophy in animals, reducing muscle inflammation and increasing comfort. The treatment aims to provide worn-out mitochondria with fuel, reversing the disease's damaging effects.
Researchers have developed soft robots that mimic human muscles, using muscle-like actuators to provide safe and efficient movement. These robots have the potential to be used in patient rehabilitation, handling fragile objects, biomimetic systems, and home care, among other applications.
Researchers have developed an ultrafast technique to film the propagation of guided light and read its spatial profile across a multilayered structure. This breakthrough enables the design and control of confined plasmonic fields, crucial for future optoelectronic devices.
Scientists at EPFL have developed a method to position hundreds of thousands of nanoparticles with precision, orienting them within one degree and one nanometer apart. This technique sets the stage for the development of nanometric devices such as optical detection equipment and biological sensors.
Scientists have developed an ultra-fast spectroscopic technique to track the fate of charged pairs in polymer:fullerene blends used in plastic solar cells. This allows for a better understanding of mechanisms and design more efficient solar energy converters.
Researchers at EPFL and CSEM have developed a robust and effective system to store solar energy by converting it into hydrogen through water electrolysis. The new system, which combines existing components, achieves a high level of stability and cost efficiency, enabling the generation and storage of enough hydrogen to power a fuel cel...
Researchers found that mycobacteria use a 'volume control' mechanism to switch between two types of metabolism, adapting to survive in different environments. This discovery provides potential new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis and leprosy.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a new method for synthesizing aryl-containing amines, a crucial class of compounds in pharmaceuticals. The new method uses nitroarenes as a starting material and eliminates the need for expensive intermediate steps, reducing costs and increasing efficiency.
Researchers created complex reconfigurable microrobots that can be manufactured with high throughput, mimicking the behavior of bacteria to deliver drugs or perform precise operations. The robots are soft, flexible, and motor-less, using electromagnetic fields and heat to control their movement.
Scientists have created a four-step process to determine accurate signatures of human embryonic stem cells, relating them to precise developmental stages. The key steps involve analyzing transposable elements and DNA methylation state to assess pluripotency.
Scientists have created a detailed structural model of aerolysin, a bacterial toxin that causes gastroenteritis and sepsis. The high-resolution imaging reveals the toxin's mechanism of action, including its formation of a pore in target cells.
Researchers at EPFL have developed an osmotic power generation system that delivers unparalleled efficiency, using a new type of membrane just 3 atoms thick. The system harnesses the movement of salt ions between fresh water and seawater to generate electricity.
Researchers identified urolithin A, a molecule that can re-establish the cell's ability to recycle defective mitochondria. Initial results from animal studies showed significant increases in lifespan and endurance. Human clinical trials are underway to test the molecule's effectiveness.
Researchers developed a method that uses lasers to carve out paths inside biocompatible gels, locally influencing cell function and promoting tissue formation. This enables growing cells in custom-built yet biologically active 3D spaces, addressing limitations of previous approaches.
Researchers at EPFL have found a way to reclaim corrupted immune cells and turn them into signals for the immune system to attack tumors. They identified a molecular switch that can convert hijacked macrophages into cells stimulating the immune system to fight cancer growth and spread.
Researchers block glutamine breakdown in liver cancer cells, preserving normal cells, and reduce tumor development in mice. The study identifies LRH-1 as the key protein involved and suggests it as a new target for treating liver cancer.
Scientists at EPFL have discovered a material that can absorb nuclear waste gases more efficiently, cheaply and safely than current methods. The material, SBMOF-1, is a nanoporous crystal that can separate xenon and krypton at room temperature.
Researchers create new tool to define metabolic differences between individuals, paving the way for precision medicine. By combining genetic and protein data, scientists can better understand how patients respond to medication and tailor treatments accordingly.
EPFL researchers have achieved the highest performance ever measured for larger-size perovskite solar cells, reaching over 20% efficiency. This breakthrough could lead to increased efficiency in hybrid solar panels that combine perovskites with silicon, potentially exceeding 30% efficiency.
Researchers at EPFL used mobile phone records to reconstruct the spread of a cholera epidemic in Senegal in 2005, revealing critical roles of human mobility patterns and sanitation infrastructure. The study's findings highlight measures to improve sanitation at transmission hotspots as key to reducing future outbreak progression.
EPFL scientists have described the atomic-level mechanism of bacteriophage infection using state-of-the-art tools. The breakthrough reveals how the baseplate coordinates attachment and contraction of the viral tail, shedding light on a complex process that has major implications for medicine and research.
Researchers discovered that intestinal worm infections trigger a significant increase in lymph node size and B-cell production, leading to enhanced antibody response. The study provides new insights into the complex interactions between the host and parasites.
Researchers found that nicotinamide riboside improves mitochondrial function in stem cells, leading to better regeneration processes in aged mice. The compound also showed promising effects on the brain and skin, with potential implications for regenerative medicine.
Researchers elucidated the first ever computer simulation of a notoriously elusive serotonin receptor involved in fast signal transmission and various disorders. The discovery reveals how serotonin binds to the receptor, opening its ion channel's gate and transmitting electrical signals.
EPFL scientists have built a single-atom magnet with stable remanence at 40 Kelvin, paving the way for miniature magnetic storage devices. This achievement could lead to significant advancements in data storage technology.
Scientists propose a two-stage model of consciousness processing, where the brain analyzes features continuously and unconsciously before rendering them conscious. The process lasts up to 400 milliseconds, with no consciousness in between.
Researchers at EPFL found that a single ion can influence millions of water molecules, causing them to align in a specific direction. This effect, previously observed but unexplained, is now linked to the ion-induced stiffening of the bulk hydrogen bond network.
Researchers at EPFL developed a microchip using graphene that can filter out unwanted radiation, ensuring data integrity. The discovery could lead to faster data uploads and improved wireless communication in the Terahertz frequency band.
EPFL researchers demonstrate that ion channels can be explained by the Coulomb blockade law, a principle governing electron transport in quantum dots. The discovery sheds light on how ions travel through nanopores, a fundamental aspect of cellular function.
EPFL scientists have created an implantable capsule that can deliver antibodies to target and clear amyloid beta protein plaques in the brain, potentially treating Alzheimer's disease. The device has been tested on mice with great success, reducing Abeta plaque load and phosphorylation of tau protein.
EPFL scientists have developed an animal model for estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer that faithfully captures the disease. The new model has been tested on human breast tissue in a pre-clinical context, providing crucial factors such as hormone action and molecular responses to therapies.
EPFL researchers have developed a new method to monitor bridge stability using optical fibers, leveraging Photoshop filters to boost signal-to-noise ratios. This approach enables more precise measurements while reducing equipment costs, paving the way for real-time monitoring of infrastructure.
EPFL researchers have developed conductive tracks that can be stretched up to four times their original length and still maintain conductivity. The new metallic and partially liquid film has a wide range of possible applications, including artificial skin, connected clothing, and on-body sensors.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a technology that accelerates scarring and prevents bacterial growth, aiming to reduce the death rate among victims of serious burns. The new bandage combines biological bandages with dendrimers to destroy microbes and prevent infections.
EPFL researchers have developed a low-cost, portable microfluidic diagnostic device that can detect various diseases with high accuracy. The device operates on battery power, uses inexpensive microscopes, and requires no pre-treatment of blood samples.
Researchers discovered that lactate, a waste product of exercise, can protect neurons against excitotoxicity, a process that damages nerve cells after stroke or spinal cord injury. Lactate triggers the production of ATP, activating defense mechanisms that help neurons withstand overwhelming signals from NMDA receptors.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a highly innovative research tool: a 2cm by 2cm 'chip' with 32 independent compartments, each holding a nematode. This device enables the monitoring of individual worms and allows for precise control over nutrient concentrations and temperature.