A study by EMBL researchers sheds light on how gene placement impacts its expression and neighboring genes, revealing general principles for designing genomes. The team found that transcriptional context alters RNA output, even when the sequence itself remains unchanged.
Researchers found that many medications, including antibiotics and cardiometabolic drugs, can significantly alter the human gut microbiome. The study revealed a complex relationship between drug dosage and microbiome impact, highlighting the need for personalized treatment strategies.
Researchers have successfully determined the structure of the Lassa viral polymerase, a key component in viral replication, using cryo-electron microscopy. This breakthrough provides crucial insights into how to design drugs that can stop the infection, offering hope for developing an effective antiviral.
Researchers have discovered that genes regulating synaptic connections between cells are active in specific parts of the digestive chambers of freshwater sponges. This finding suggests that these cells may be evolutionary precursors for the first animal brains, providing insight into the evolution of brain function.
Researchers from EMBL Heidelberg and University of Tübingen discovered that certain antibiotics, like tetracyclines and macrolides, can kill specific gut microbes. Combining antibiotics with non-antibiotic drugs may reduce collateral damage by preserving antibiotic activity against pathogens.
Researchers identified 421 previously unknown interactions between Salmonella proteins and host cell proteins, including those involved in cholesterol trafficking. This approach sheds light on how Salmonella survives inside host cells by manipulating protein machineries and pathways.
The study of Mycobacterium tuberculosis's ESX-5 secretion system reveals a complex molecular machinery that enables the bacterium to infect human cells. The structure of this system provides potential drug targets and new insights into vaccine development.
Scientists at EMBL combined AI algorithms with advanced microscopy techniques to reduce image processing time from days to mere seconds while maintaining accuracy. This breakthrough enables researchers to track and measure fast biological processes in 3D.
Researchers created human intestinal cells to study SARS-CoV-2 infection process. The findings indicate the virus silences immune response in infected cells, suggesting new ways to treat it.
Scientists at EMBL Hamburg use X-ray beams to study artificial protein nanostructures, confirming their ability to fold into desired shapes. The findings advance understanding of synthetic origami-like protein folding for therapeutic applications.
Researchers determined the structure of Glycine Transporter 1, a protein responsible for glycine uptake in neurons. The discovery could lead to developing inhibitors targeting this protein to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
Scientists have successfully imaged HIV during transport into the nucleus of an infected cell using 3D imaging techniques. The images show that the viral capsid passes through the nuclear pore intact before breaking apart inside the nucleus.
The study used thermal proteome profiling to analyze SARS-CoV-2 infection's impact on human proteins. Hundreds of cellular proteins showed changes in abundance and thermal stability, suggesting the virus hijacks them for replication.
Researchers analyzed protein sequences to understand how SARS-CoV-2 infects cells, identifying short linear motifs involved in endocytosis and autophagy. The findings suggest potential new therapeutic approaches for COVID-19, including the use of existing drugs that interfere with these cellular processes.
The Galej group has discovered the structure and arrangement of the proteins comprising Integrator's catalytic core, revealing a network of multiple subunits interacting with each other. This complex is involved in the transcription attenuation process and plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression.
A team of microbes in kefir works together to survive and thrive, each providing something another needs. The dominant Lactobacillus bacteria feed on each other's metabolites to create a complex and cooperative community.
Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg used 3D imaging techniques to visualize the replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 in infected cells. The study reveals massive changes in cellular architecture, including the creation of mini replication compartments where viral genomes are amplified.
Researchers developed a synthetic mini-antibody called sybody 23 that can block SARS-CoV-2's ability to infect human cells. This breakthrough could lead to a potential way to treat COVID-19, with further analyses planned to confirm its effectiveness.
Researchers found that DNA enhancers contain more information than previously thought, leading to changes in gene expression patterns. This discovery provides insights into how evolution takes place and challenges previous assumptions about enhancer function.
Scientists discovered how deadly parasites from the phylum Apicomplexa, such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, glide into human cells using actin and myosin proteins. The study reveals the molecular structure of essential light chains that facilitate gliding movements.
Researchers have identified a potential new treatment for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) using an acne drug. A single mutation in the RBM20 gene was found to cause the disease, and increasing expression of this protein may overcome the insufficient expression seen in patients with DCM.
Researchers have found that the number of tentacle arms in sea anemones is determined by their food intake, with muscle cells playing a crucial role in this process. This discovery sheds light on how environmental factors can influence morphological changes in organisms.
The study sheds light on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's flexibility and its impact on viral infection. The research reveals that the stalk is extremely flexible, allowing it to move and search for receptors on host cells.
The EMBL survey found that 77% of institutes were fully shut down, causing researchers to lose part of their ongoing experiments. Despite challenges, many scientists adapted to remote work and even increased manuscript submissions.
Researchers at EMBL Rome reveal that protein glycosylation plays a central role in DNA methylation, inducing gene silencing by modifying regulatory factors. This breakthrough sheds light on the mechanism behind the most studied epigenetic modification.
Scientists investigated how immune cells respond to Salmonella infection and found that cathepsins move to the nucleus of infected cells, leading to inflammatory programmed cell death. This discovery shows the benefit of monitoring protein dynamics during infection and unraveling new pathways to defend against pathogens.
Scientists have developed a 'virtual embryo' model of the sea squirt Phallusia mammillata, providing unprecedented insights into early embryonic development. The study describes the gene expression and morphology of every single cell in the embryo, revealing coordinated regulation and reproducible patterns.
EMBL scientists examined the molecular causes of a rare hereditary disease of the spine and ribs, revealing that errors in the segmentation clock can cause disorders. The researchers created a lab system to study this process, demonstrating that specific gene mutations, such as DLL3, are responsible for the condition.
Researchers have identified a hereditary genetic defect that disrupts protein production in children with medulloblastoma, a common malignant brain tumor. The study found that 40% of children and young people with this subtype of medulloblastoma have a congenital genetic predisposition for the disease.
Researchers aim to investigate leukaemia stem cells to gain a better understanding of acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) causes and therapies. The study will use isolated single cells from patient samples to analyze characteristic markers, mutations, functional data, and metabolic pathways.
The study analyzed data from over 1000 donors of more than 25 cancer types, studying whole genomes and tumour transcriptome data. Researchers identified diverse mechanisms of cancer genome alterations, including gene fusions, which can be used for disease diagnosis.
Butler simplifies genomic data analysis by constantly collecting health metrics and automating self-healing modules. This reduces large project execution times from years to months, improving researcher productivity and efficiency.
Researchers identified germline mutations in the MBD4 gene as a driver of somatic mutations in cancer genomes, accelerating the clock-like mutational process. This discovery has significant implications for understanding cancer development and may lead to personalized screening and early intervention strategies.
Researchers mapped genomic changes throughout the human lifespan to create a timeline for cancer development. The study suggests that tumour progression may start years or even decades before diagnosis, providing a new window of opportunity for early detection and treatment.
This study reveals that chromothripsis is common across multiple types of cancer, with frequencies greater than 50% in some tumours. The research demonstrates how chromothripsis shapes the tumour genome, leading to oncogene amplification and loss of tumour suppressor genes.
Researchers used the Pan-Cancer dataset to classify structural variations in cancer genomes and link them to mechanisms of formation. They identified complex processes that can lead to cancer genes becoming active, and developed methods to identify these variations.
Researchers have identified new genetic drivers of cancer in non-coding regions of the genome, finding that many cancers are driven by mutations in these areas. The study confirmed previously reported drivers and invalidated others, while also identifying novel putative driver rearrangements near genes called AKR1C.
Researchers mapped protein-drug interactions in rat organs and blood, revealing potential drug targets. The study represents a significant advancement for translational research, allowing direct monitoring of biological changes in an organ.
Researchers have developed a new method to characterise the complex organ of bone marrow, revealing previously unknown cell types and their spatial organisation. The study identifies niche cells that regulate blood stem cells and provides insights into leukaemia treatments.
The scTRIP method allows for the study of genetic variations within a single cell and measures genetic changes directly as they form in new cells. Researchers found four times more variants in patient-derived leukaemia cells using scTRIP compared to standard clinical diagnostics.
Researchers at EMBL developed a new variant of the Sleeping Beauty transposase with improved biochemical properties, allowing for direct protein delivery and autonomous cell penetration. This breakthrough enables efficient and stable genome modifications in target cells on demand.
A team of scientists has discovered that the three-dimensional shape of an RNA molecule, called MEG3, is essential for its role in tumor suppression. The researchers found two critical elements within the molecule that form 'kissing loops', which interact with each other to maintain its function.
Researchers have discovered a key toxin in the Legionella bacteria that enables its growth and infection in human cells. The toxin, SidJ, targets innate immune pathways and has a kinase fold, making it an attractive target for therapeutic intervention.
Research reveals that chromatin domains are not the sole determinant of gene expression, with many genes resistant to rearrangements. The study challenges a current dogma in the field and raises questions about other mechanisms controlling enhancer-target interactions.
The new light-field microscopy system captures biological processes in 3D at high speeds, resolving dynamics within hearts and neuronal cells. This technique overcomes previous limitations, enabling researchers to study dynamic processes on millisecond timescales.
Scientists discovered that sex and diet substantially affect the proteome, a collection of proteins in an animal cell. Understanding these interactions may lead to personalized treatments for humans. The study analyzed large public datasets on human and mouse proteotypes, diet, and genetic status.
Researchers have established disease-specific microbiome changes that are globally robust, despite differences in environment, diet, and lifestyle. These findings provide a basis for future non-invasive cancer screening and may enable new research into the causal role of gut microbes in colorectal cancer development.
Researchers at EMBL have engineered a membraneless organelle that can build proteins from natural and synthetic amino acids, allowing for detailed study and control of cellular function. The innovation uses phase separation to create a wobbly wall-less organelle with precise tasks.
A new study reveals a promising therapeutic target for tuberculosis (TB) using the toxin-antitoxin system in M. tuberculosis bacteria. Activating this system can trigger cell death and slow down bacterial growth, offering hope for developing new treatments.
Researchers apply biological principles of self-organisation to swarm robotics, enabling robots to grow shapes without predefined plans. The robot swarms adapt to damage and self-repair, making them reliable for real-world applications such as disaster response or temporary structures.