Researchers at EMBL Barcelona have developed a method to grow self-organising bovine tissues containing muscle, nerve, and blood vessel cells from bovine embryonic stem cells. This breakthrough provides a powerful model for understanding muscle development and tissue engineering, and lays important groundwork for building more complex ...
Phages orchestrate an explosion of protein modifications inside host cells to evade bacterial immune systems. The T7 kinase enzyme triggers massive phosphorylation, disabling bacterial defenses. This discovery could lead to novel bioengineering approaches for phage therapies.
Researchers have developed a genetic tool, mCHIRA, to study the effects of small sequence variations on gene regulation and tease apart the impact of genomic microenvironment. This approach enables scientists to test hundreds of regulatory DNA sequences and understand how cells determine which genes are active.
Research reveals Golgi complex is involved in DNA repair control, regulating protein recruitment and localization to the nucleus. The study suggests a global process of DNA repair coordinated across the cell, with organelles like the Golgi controlling it.
Researchers have developed spatialproteomics, an open-source software package that makes it easier to analyze complex tissue images. This framework guides users from raw microscopy images through cell segmentation, annotation, and spatial analysis, standardizing workflows and enabling more efficient and reproducible results.
Researchers at EMBL Hamburg mapped direct virus-host protein contacts in intact infected cells, capturing short-lived and location-specific interactions. This study provides a new way to study flu-host interactions in their native context with structural insight.
Researchers have developed NovoTags, synthetic fluorescent protein tags that can bind to bright fluorescent dyes with high specificity and affinity. These tags enable multicolor imaging of proteins inside cells, expanding the toolkit for advanced light microscopy techniques.
A study has identified a set of plasma proteins that can be used to diagnose and monitor patients with Metabolic dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD). The researchers created a molecular disease trajectory, which identifies key sets of genes involved in the disease progression.
Researchers have identified a consistent microbial signature of colorectal cancer by reanalyzing nearly 6,800 gut microbiome profiles. The study found that microbes detected in stool samples reflect microbes found directly within colorectal tumours.
The EMBL Grenoble team created two systems, EasyGrid and EasyGrid Control, to automate sample preparation for various techniques. These platforms improve the quality of samples by reducing manual handling and ensuring reproducibility, enabling faster optimization and better results.
Researchers found that tissue rigidity is regulated by cell-cell adhesion and influences morphogen signalling, which determines cell polarity and fate. Increasing tissue stiffness leads to the formation of fluid-filled lumens and traps developmental signals, providing instructive cues for development.
A new report by Frontier Economics reveals that EMBL-EBI's open data resources support growing numbers of scientists and innovators worldwide, driving £11.8 billion in annual productivity gains. The report highlights the critical role of these resources in enabling breakthroughs across science, medicine, and biotechnology.
Scientists identified a previously uncharacterized protein, SNOR, playing a significant role in awakening dormant yeast cells. The discovery sheds light on how microbes adapt to inhospitable environments and provides new insights into cellular quiescence.
A new study from EMBL researchers has identified 'mechanotypes' as the physical links between genes and body shapes in animals like corals and sea anemones. The study shows how mechanical tissue properties determine shape diversity, providing a framework for understanding how diverse forms arise in animals.
Scientists have added millions of protein complex structures to the AlphaFold Database, shedding light on how proteins interact. The dataset prioritizes human health and disease research, enabling researchers to test, refine, and build upon it.
Scientists have discovered a network of interconnected microbiomes that span the globe, with certain 'generalist' microbes thriving in diverse habitats. These microbes facilitate the transfer of genes, creating connections between geographically distant habitats and exacerbating antimicrobial resistance.
LimbLab enables 3D visualization of gene expression patterns, making it easier to study embryonic development. The open-source pipeline also provides advanced features like developmental age assignment and alignment with reference models.
The new LimbNET platform enables direct simulation of complex biological growth processes, empowering researchers to test and compare hypotheses. The project aims to enhance collaboration, transparency, and knowledge building in the limb development community.
Researchers developed VIRE, a comprehensive viral genome database with over 1.7 million genomes from diverse ecosystems. The platform provides taxonomic information, predicted hosts, and gene functions for viruses, enabling data-driven research across various fields.
Scientists capture unprecedented detail of a large RNA molecule assembling itself into a functional machine, overcoming kinetic traps. The research reveals the dynamic process, including subtle movements that prompt each domain to enter at precisely the right moment.
Researchers found that inflammatory stromal cells replace stem-cell-supportive mesenchymal stromal cells in the bone marrow, creating a feed-forward loop of chronic inflammation and suppressing healthy blood formation. This discovery positions inflammation as a central force in early blood disease development.
The AMR portal connects bacterial genomes, resistance phenotypes, and functional annotations, providing a central hub for global AMR research. It brings together experimental and computational data types, allowing researchers to investigate how genetic variants translate into antimicrobial resistance.
EMBL scientists introduce HT-PELSA, a high-throughput adaptation of an earlier tool that detects protein-ligand interactions. This breakthrough enables researchers to analyze hundreds of samples in parallel while maintaining sensitivity and reproducibility.
Researchers at EMBL-EBI developed SPRTA, an interpretable and efficient way to score the reliability of each branch in a phylogenetic tree. This method enables fast and reliable understanding of virus strain evolution, informing better decisions during outbreaks.
Researchers used expansion microscopy to study over 200 species of plankton, gaining in-depth insights into cellular architecture and diversity. The technique allowed for the visualization of internal structures, enabling scientists to make evolutionary predictions and decode how cellular architecture has diversified across evolution.
Researchers developed an AI-assisted laser tag system to study chromosomal abnormalities in cancer cells. By analyzing nearly 100,000 cells in under a day, scientists gained insights into the rate of spontaneous chromosomal abnormalities and their triggers.
Scientists developed a new single-cell study tool to uncover links between genetic variants and disease. The SDR-seq tool captures genomic variations and RNA together, increasing precision and scalability compared to previous technologies.
A recent study by EMBL Rome scientists reveals that paternal environmental factors can leave molecular footprints in embryos, affecting their development and long-term health. The study used controlled experimental conditions to examine the impact of specific environmental perturbations on early embryonic development.
Scientists discovered that metabolism plays a signalling role during embryonic development, controlling the tempo of growth. By modulating metabolism, they identified a key metabolite FBP regulating the segmentation clock, which impacts spatial patterns of body segments.
A new AI model can estimate the long-term risk of over 1,000 diseases and forecast human health changes over a decade. The model was trained on anonymised patient data from 400,000 participants and tested on data from 1.9 million patients in the Danish National Patient Registry.
The Barcelona CryoZoo has been awarded a competitive grant from Revive & Restore to derive and study stem cell lines from wild animal species. Researchers will use machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to identify critical gene networks needed for reprogramming cells from evolutionarily distant species.
EMBL's initiative integrates AI into molecular biology, medical research, and data analysis to advance genomics and drug discovery. The funding enables the creation of dedicated AI research groups and infrastructure.
The two new studies use long-read sequencing technologies to dive deeper into structural variations across the genome. The resulting datasets constitute what may be the most complete overview of the human genome to date.
CORNETO enables researchers to extract molecular networks by combining experimental data with prior biological knowledge, helping to better understand cell health and disease mechanisms. The tool identifies shared pathways and patient-specific differences, a step toward personalised treatment strategies.
Researchers discovered a new group of rhodopsins, called cryorhodopsins, that can control brain cell activity with blue light. These rare proteins were found in cold-adapted microbes and have the potential to be used as prototypes for designing molecular on-off switches.
A new machine learning algorithm, SAVANA, has been developed to accurately detect structural variations in cancer genomes using long-read sequencing data. The algorithm was tested on 99 human tumour samples and showed high consistency with current clinical standards.
Researchers directly observed DNA formation into rod-shaped chromosomes during cell division, revealing the role of condensin complexes and their looping process in compaction. This discovery provides insights into the molecular mechanism of chromosome segregation.
Researchers have made a significant leap forward in Brillouin microscopy, providing a 1,000-fold improvement in speed and throughput. The new technology enables full-field imaging with minimal light intensity, opening up new possibilities for life scientists.
Researchers in the Galej Group at EMBL Grenoble have provided new structural insights into the U11 snRNP subunit of the minor spliceosome, revealing its ability to specifically identify rare substrates. The study sheds light on the complex assembly pathway of the minor spliceosome, which is critical for processing minor introns in genes.
Researchers develop new method to study glycosylation in proteins, discovering that gut bacteria can alter molecular signatures in the brain. The study found over 150,000 glycosylated protein forms in brain tissue samples from mice.
Researchers mapped yerba mate's genome, discovering an ancestor that duplicated its genome 50 million years ago. This event led to the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis in yerba mate and coffee through convergent pathways. The study provides opportunities for creating plant varieties with new characteristics.
BioChatter bridges the gap between large language models and biomedical research by providing a transparent and adaptable framework for custom research tasks. The platform can integrate with knowledge graphs and bioinformatics tools, making it easier for researchers to analyze complex datasets.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble identified significant differences between the trypanosomal and human nuclear cap-binding complex, a key player in cellular RNA metabolism. The study reveals major differences that could serve as a potential drug target for treating neglected tropical diseases.
A new study identifies loss-translocation-amplification chromothripsis as a key mechanism driving osteosarcoma tumour development and evolution. This discovery has significant implications for treatment options and patient outcomes, highlighting the importance of investing in studies exploring cancer mechanisms.
Researchers have discovered that dextromethorphan, an FDA-approved ingredient found in many cough syrups, has potential to treat fibrotic lung disease. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, showed how dextromethorphan can impede collagen formation, reducing lung scarring and stiffness.
Researchers capture dynamic interplay between RNA polymerase and ribosome, revealing emergent behaviors and communication between the two molecular machines. The study offers new insights into how transcription and translation work together, potentially leading to new ways to fight bacterial pathogens.
Researchers discovered that sea anemones reshape their entire bodies to maintain the same overall form after injury, contrary to other regenerating animals. This process involves molecular changes across the body, including the activation of metalloproteases, to restore proportionate shape and function.
Researchers have discovered two human antibodies that can recognize and target proteins causing severe malaria. These broadly reactive antibodies may represent a common mechanism of acquired immunity to severe malaria, offering insights for the design of a PfEMP1-based vaccine or treatment targeting severe malaria. The breakthrough cou...
A new study developed a machine-learning model to predict microbial load, the density of microbes in our guts. The model revealed that many factors can influence microbial load, including lifestyle, diseases, and medications.
A new study discovered how TRIM25, a cellular superhero, finds and binds to viral RNA to activate an immune response. The researchers found that this binding is critical for TRIM25's antiviral activity and its ability to target regions of viral RNA.