Scientists at EMBL Rome have discovered a way to treat itchy skin conditions like eczema by using near-infrared light to bind to specialized nerve cells. This method has shown promising results in mice with eczema and amyloidosis, offering new hope for potential human treatments.
Scientists in EMBL's De Renzis group use optogenetics to steer the shape transitions of embryonic tissues, controlling a crucial step in development. This technique allows them to inhibit abnormalities and provide new insights into tissue invagination.
Researchers at EMBL have developed an interactive map of proteins involved in human cell division, allowing users to track protein dynamics and identify critical vulnerabilities. The tool has the potential to advance our understanding of cellular processes and disease mechanisms.
The first global survey of soil genomics found a constant competition between bacteria and fungi for nutrients, leading to the production of antibiotics. The study's results have implications for predicting the impact of climate change on soil and improving agricultural practices.
Scientists have discovered that mammalian embryos use two spindles to keep parental chromosomes separate during the first cell division. This finding may help explain high error rates in early developmental stages and has potential implications for human infertility treatment.
Scientists adapted thermal proteome profiling technique to study bacteria's protein behavior, revealing novel drug resistance mechanisms and insights into bacterial cell function. The technique allows researchers to investigate thousands of proteins simultaneously, offering potential breakthroughs in understanding antibiotic resistance.
A large-scale screening of antibiotic combinations has identified over 500 pairs that improve antibiotic effectiveness against multi-drug resistant bacteria. These pairings could help combat antibiotic resistance by selectively targeting harmful bacterial species, reducing the development of resistance and its transmission.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble investigate how Xofluza, a new anti-influenza drug, works and explore possible mechanisms for viral resistance. They found that a specific mutation in the virus's polymerase enzyme makes it less susceptible to the drug.
Researchers at EMBL screened over 1100 treatment conditions using a novel microfluidic device, discovering individualized cancer therapies for each patient. The device was tested on four patient biopsies, showing highly reproducible results and potential for personalized medicine.
Researchers at EMBL expand Alan Turing's theory to understand how biological patterns are created, introducing a topological approach that simplifies analysis and predicts properties of Turing systems. This new framework enables the design of networks that can produce desired patterns, with potential applications in tissue engineering.
EMBL researchers used optogenetics to reconstruct epithelial folding in cells that normally don't undergo the process. This allowed them to build tissues in customized shapes without affecting cell function. The technique has implications for regenerative medicine and ex vivo stem cell culture systems.
Scientists at EMBL Rome developed a light-sensitive chemical that selectively binds to nerve cells causing neuropathic pain, leading to pain relief. The method avoids targeting single molecules and shows promise for managing chronic pain in humans.
Researchers captured microglia nibbling on brain synapses for the first time, showing they help synapses grow and rearrange. The findings suggest that microglia may actually strengthen synapses rather than weaken them.
A study by EMBL researchers found that over a quarter of non-antibiotic drugs inhibit the growth of at least one species in the human gut microbiome. This can lead to unintended side effects and potentially contribute to antibiotic resistance. The research team screened 1000 marketed drugs against 40 representative bacteria, revealing ...
A team of EMBL scientists has developed a comprehensive 'cookbook' for growing and studying 96 diverse gut bacterial strains. The research reveals unexpected nutritional preferences and growth characteristics of these bacteria, providing valuable insights into the human gut microbiome.
Researchers at EMBL have unraveled the molecular basis of a major antibiotic resistance transfer mechanism and developed molecules to block its movement. This could help control the spread of antibiotic resistance genes in bacteria, including those that are part of our normal microbiome.
A new approach reveals how cells in developing embryos regulate their identity and determine their fate. The study identifies thousands of previously unknown regulatory elements used only in a subset of cells, providing insights into cellular development.
Research at EMBL shows that synchronization between Wnt and Notch pathways enables embryo segmentation. Changing their relative timing prevents segment formation.
Researchers at EMBL and ESPCI Paris have developed a new technique to rapidly sort HIV viruses, which could significantly speed up vaccine development. The system enables the analysis and sorting of hundreds of HIV viruses per second, allowing for rapid testing of millions of viral variants.
Researchers at EMBL found that residual breast cancer cells have specific traits that distinguish them from healthy cells and seem to cause relapse. The study suggests lipid metabolism as an exciting therapeutic target to reduce breast cancer recurrence.
Researchers at EMBL have traced the physical connection between the prefrontal cortex and brainstem that inhibits instinctive behavior. The study found that this connection, specifically to the PAG region of the brainstem, prevents social animals from acting out impulses.
The Toxoplasma parasite manipulates its host's immune response by producing a protein that activates and controls the p38α pathway. Researchers have now developed a method to produce an active form of p38α, allowing for the evaluation of anti-inflammatory drugs.
Researchers at EMBL discovered a molecular feedback loop that creates regular spacing between leaves, resulting in spiral patterns. This loop involves cells coordinating with neighbors to transport auxin hormone, which builds up and triggers the formation of new hotspots.
A team of scientists has determined the 3D structure of the human proteasome in unprecedented detail, revealing its exact mechanism and a crucial role for a previously unknown chemical reaction. This knowledge will pave the way to develop more effective cancer therapies by optimizing inhibitor design and efficacy.
Scientists at EMBL discovered that cell contraction strength determines whether cells move inwards to form the embryo or stay on the surface to become the placenta. The study found that unequal inheritance of apical proteins affects cell contraction, leading to the formation of either embryonic or placental tissues.
Researchers have discovered how new HIV drugs work by locking the immature form of the virus in place, preventing it from maturing and infecting other cells. The study provides insights into the workings of these drugs and their resistance to mutations.
A new study tracks bacteria strains in stool transplants, suggesting donor-patient compatibility is crucial for success. The research could improve treatment options for conditions like ulcerative colitis and metabolic syndrome.
Researchers at EMBL have determined the structure of the nuclear pore complex's inner ring, a crucial component in controlling molecular traffic to the cell's nucleus. The discovery brings the nuclear pore into focus and holds potential implications for understanding its role in cancer and aging.
Scientists at EMBL have increased the efficiency of gene therapy tool Sleeping Beauty, which is being trialed for therapies targeting B-cell leukaemias and lymphomas. The enhancement results in a 30% increase in efficiency and aims to improve patient outcomes.
Researchers at EMBL have observed the elimination of centrioles from starfish egg cells, a process essential for viable embryo development. The study reveals the role of appendages in directing centriole expulsion and provides insights into the molecular logic underlying this mechanism.
Researchers found a pathway in the brain linked to forgetting, which erases memories. The study suggests a balance between learning and forgetting is necessary for memory formation.
Scientists have developed a new light sheet microscope that can record the first two to three days of a mouse embryo's life. By tracking each cell's daughters, grand-daughters, great-granddaughters, and so on, they identified a crucial turning point in the embryo's development.
Researchers at EMBL used a new technique to prevent cell contraction, identifying crucial cells for ventral furrow formation. The shape of the tissue dictates the direction of contraction, not internal programming.
Flexible, spaghetti-like proteins can bind to their receptor within billionths of a second, retaining high specificity. This discovery explains the transport paradox in cellular communication, enabling efficient proof-reading while maintaining speed.
A team of scientists has created the most extensive catalogue of structural variations in human genomes, revealing over 200 missing genes and demonstrating that these changes are common risk factors for disease. The study's findings will help guide future research on genetics, evolution, and disease diagnosis.
Researchers at EMBL, Salk Institute, and UC Berkeley measured how ageing affects brain and liver cells in rats. They found that age-related changes in brain cells often involve the loss of molecules helping neurons communicate, while liver cells show changes in metabolic processes.
Researchers at EMBL-EBI have developed a new computational method to study biological signalling pathways and networks, allowing for more precise questions about how drugs affect proteins and pathways. The method uses noisy data from MS experiment, filters the noise, and integrates the data to reconstruct pathways robustly.
Researchers at EMBL and Stanford University mapped three-dimensional interactions between enhancers and promoters, revealing new insights into gene regulation. The study sheds light on how genetic variants control gene expression and disease predispositions.
A crowdsourcing challenge in systems biomedicine has combined predictions from hundreds of scientists to estimate population-level response to toxic compounds. The study provides new methodologies for hazard evaluation and assessment, offering a way to accelerate toxicity testing.
Researchers have discovered that iron regulatory proteins play a crucial role in fighting off infection by controlling iron levels. The study found that mice lacking these proteins died when infected with the Salmonella bacteria, highlighting their importance in immune defense.
The structure of Oskar's two domains has been solved, enabling researchers to understand how the protein functions in developing reproductive cells. The OSK domain binds to RNA, while the LOTUS domain interacts with an enzyme called Vasa helicase, which is crucial for germ plasm formation.
Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg have produced detailed images of the COPI coat surrounding vesicles that transport molecules within cells. The intricate protein structure is composed of repeating building blocks called triads, which organize functional elements in a precise 3D structure.
Researchers at EMBL Grenoble have found a way to identify and silence 'jumping genes' that can alter the genetic code, using tiny RNA molecules called piRNA. These piRNAs guide proteins to destroy the genes, preventing uncontrolled changes in DNA.
Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg solved a decades-old cell biology puzzle by clarifying the behavior of clathrin proteins, crucial for endocytosis. The team used new imaging techniques to demonstrate that the surface area of the clathrin coat remains constant during endocytosis, only changing its curvature as it draws the cell membrane i...
Researchers at EMBL-EBI developed a new method and algorithm that enables fast and efficient genetic analysis of large cohorts. The mSet algorithm allows for the simultaneous analysis of many genetic variants and traits, improving statistical power and enabling the study of up to half a million individuals.
Researchers discovered that cells in early embryos 'dance' as they compact, a process controlled by cell contraction. The study used new methods to measure forces and tensions within the embryo, revealing that adhesion acts as an anchor rather than an engine of compaction.
Decaying RNA molecules provide a snapshot of how proteins are produced, with one end decaying while the other serves as a template for translation. Researchers have discovered that an enzyme degrading mRNA follows closely behind ribosomes, pausing at set points to allow translation to complete before degradation begins.
HMMER enables researchers to infer protein function and evolutionary history by identifying hundreds of thousands of related sequences. The new web interface offers fast and interactive visualization tools, making it easier to interpret results.
The Tara Oceans expedition has produced a comprehensive catalogue of over 40 million genes from 35,000 unknown species, showcasing the vast diversity of planktonic organisms. Climate change impacts on ocean ecosystems are being studied using this global dataset.
A new approach for studying protein behavior in living cells allows scientists to follow protein networks in real-time, revealing the state and activity of molecular machinery. This technique will be useful for investigating disease mechanisms and exploring new drug targets.