Scientists at EMBL and Heidelberg University Clinic have discovered a new way to starve pathogens of iron, using the immune system's TLR2 and TLR6 molecules. This finding offers an alternative approach to treatments for anaemia of chronic disease, which affects chronically ill patients.
A study comparing genome sequences of 29 mammals reveals how evolution repurposes shared genes for unique traits. The research provides insights into the 'mammalian radiation,' a period of rapid morphological evolution that occurred after the asteroid impact that caused the dinosaurs' extinction.
A new statistical method for RNA-seq analysis has identified and corrected for hidden structure between cells, revealing new subtypes that may have distinct functions. This breakthrough allows researchers to create more accurate gene-expression profiles and explore cell types in cancers and diseases.
A team of scientists identified a key mechanism by which proteins change shape in response to different conditions. This discovery has significant implications for understanding how to manipulate proteins, which could lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases.
Scientists at EMBL have developed a new technique called SNAP-tagging that allows researchers to study nerves in mice with unprecedented detail. This approach uses artificial tags to visualize complex structures and enable the tracking of activity in individual neurons.
Scientists have determined the complete structure of the influenza virus polymerase, a key machine that makes copies of the virus' genetic material and reads out instructions. The high-resolution structure reveals how the polymerase works as a whole, providing new insights into its function and potential targets for drug design.
Scientists have obtained the first high-resolution structure of HIV's immature form, revealing a surprising arrangement of its building blocks. This breakthrough enables researchers to probe further into potential drug targets and understand how mutations influence virus assembly.
A new study by CAGEKID consortium reveals a strong connection between kidney cancer and aristolochic acid, an ingredient in herbal remedies. The research found that genetic changes associated with this type of cancer were observed in patients from Romania with high frequency, suggesting exposure to aristolochic acid as a potential cause.
Scientists discovered that cells organize themselves to influence communication within a group. By forming huddles, cells trap and concentrate signals like FGF, enabling them to make decisions that affect organ formation and behavior. This strategy may play a role in wound repair and cancer.
Researchers at EMBL found that IGF-1 enhances T-reg cell production, suppressing auto-immune diseases like type-1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. The molecule is already approved for use in patients, paving the way for clinical trials.
Researchers found that the hormone melatonin governs the nightly migration of a plankton species and may have evolved early in animal history. The study suggests that melatonin's role in controlling daily rhythms could be linked to the evolution of human sleep patterns.
Researchers found that a muscle, called axochord, runs along the midline of marine worm Platynereis, similar to where the notochord would be in chordates. This discovery suggests that the notochord may have evolved from a muscle-based structure in an ancient ancestor.
Researchers have discovered how viruses called bacteriophages can be engineered to target and destroy a range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant C. diff, which causes fatal infections in hospitals. The study provides hope for developing an alternative to antibiotics.
Researchers found that DNA sequences called enhancers find their targets hours before activation during embryonic development, with surprising complexity in fruit fly embryos comparable to vertebrates. The study reveals a primed system ready to spring into action when needed.
Scientists at EMBL and DKFZ identified two sister genes, GFI1B and GFI1, as major drivers of Group 3 medulloblastoma. Large-scale DNA rearrangements relocate these genes, activating them and driving tumour formation.
Researchers have identified a specific DNA stretch controlling genes that determine face structure and those producing building materials. The region's regulatory elements affect gene Myc activity, leading to facial changes and increased susceptibility to environmental factors like smoking during pregnancy.
Researchers discovered that Th2 immune cells produce a steroid called pregnenolone, which regulates their own proliferation and contributes to immune homeostasis. This finding confirms that immune cells are capable of producing steroids, a previously unknown mechanism.
Researchers at European Molecular Biology Laboratory identify microglia cells as major players in brain wiring and behavior. Mice with fewer microglia display weaker connections between neurons and repetitive behaviors associated with autism spectrum disorders.
Scientists at EMBL discovered that different brain regions handle various fears, with mice displaying distinct brain activity responses to threats from same-species and predator species. This finding could lead to targeted treatments for specific phobias and panic attacks in humans.
Researchers at EMBL have determined the 3D structure of RNA polymerase I, revealing a unique 'Swiss-army knife' strategy that allows it to produce RNA molecules faster than its counterpart, RNA polymerase II. The protein's larger size and efficiency are due to its built-in modules, which prevent the need for external recruitment.
Scientists at EMBL have discovered that pairs of tags are added to RNA molecules in a specific order, helping control folding and ribosome formation. This complex choreography allows cells to precisely regulate protein factories.
Scientists at EMBL found that cells in a zebrafish embryo determine their direction by erasing the path behind them and creating a self-generated chemokine gradient. This finding could have implications for development, cancer, and metastasis.
Scientists at EMBL and Regensburg University identify DGKi as a potential drug target for cystic fibrosis, which regulates ENaC activity and reduces mucus thickness in patients' airways. The discovery uses large-scale screening to uncover genes not previously linked to the disease.
Scientists at EMBL discovered that endocytosis drives changes in cell shape by remodelling the cell membrane. Cells adapt their feeding strategy to suck in long tubes of membrane, processing them into smaller vesicles.
A study of gene expression in five closely related mouse species reveals the first steps of evolution in gene regulation. The research found that transcription-factor binding variation is an important indicator of gene-regulation activity.
Researchers at EMBL used super-resolution microscopy to determine the arrangement of Y-shaped molecules in the nuclear pore complex, resolving a decade-old controversy. The study found that the Ys lie in an orderly circle around the opening, with all arms pointing towards the centre.
A comprehensive online database of human phosphatases and their substrates has been created to aid researchers in understanding cellular reactions. The database, DEPOD, groups phosphatases into families based on three-dimensional structure, enabling the identification of known substrates and suggestion of new ones.
Researchers at EMBL discovered that each gene can be transcribed into dozens or hundreds of unique mRNA molecules with different boundaries, affecting gene function and protein production. This variation could equip cells to adapt to external challenges.
Scientists identify genes involved in cholesterol metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk by selectively decreasing gene expression using RNA interference. The study provides a new approach for understanding the mechanisms of cardiovascular disease and improving its prediction and diagnosis.
A team of scientists at EMBL has discovered how the genome is controlled by a series of multiple, interdependent regulatory elements. These elements are clustered together and control specific genes like Fgf8, which is crucial for limb growth and brain development.
Early-onset prostate cancers have distinct genetic alterations that link genes normally independent to cancer-causing fusion genes. Androgen hormone receptors are also higher in younger patients, suggesting a potential trigger for the disease.
Scientists describe key details about the structure of transcription factor Oct4, crucial for cellular reprogramming. The study's findings may pave the way for medical applications in regenerative medicine and drug discovery.
EMBL-EBI researchers develop a DNA storage method that stores at least 100 million hours of high-definition video in about a cup of DNA, overcoming challenges of writing and reading DNA. The new method uses short strings of DNA and error-tolerant coding to ensure data retrieval without errors.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study cell division without a cell membrane, allowing them to uncover physical forces and constraints involved in the process. By using this method, they discovered that squeezing the 'cell' into tighter quarters does not lead to smaller spindles, contradicting previous assumptions.
A research team has described the architecture of human transcription factor TFIID, revealing its inner workings for the first time. The study used a novel approach inspired by viral replication to produce highly abundant and correctly assembled complexes of the core scaffold.
Researchers discovered that embryo growth is controlled by oscillating gene expression in neighboring cells, resulting in well-proportioned animals. The speed of this wave determines the size of future vertebrae, with faster waves indicating larger vertebrae.
A new study by European Molecular Biology Laboratory researchers found that each person's gut metagenome is unique and remains stable over time. The analysis of 207 individuals revealed a high resolution of individual mutations in gut microbes, with potential applications for identifying gut diseases and developing personalized therapies.
The 1000 Genomes Project has mapped normal human genetic variation at different scales, revealing differences between individuals and populations. The results open new approaches for research on the genetic causes of diseases, including links to specific DNA sequences and their inherited variants.
Researchers at EMBL and Oxford University found that gene loops can turn bi-directional promoters into one-way systems, controlling transcription direction. This discovery enables bidirectional regulation of genes, allowing cells to adjust the spread of regulation throughout the genome.
A new approach devised by EMBL scientists enables the distinction of proteins secreted by cells from those in their food, allowing measurement of secretion changes over time. This method has opened new avenues for drug and biomarker screening, as well as studying cell responses to drugs and 3D growth conditions.
Researchers at EMBL develop method to follow molecules under light and electron microscope, revealing crucial protein interactions in endocytosis process. They discover actin scaffolding protein forms network pulling membrane inwards.
Researchers at EMBL have determined the 3D structure of part of the flu virus' RNA polymerase, crucial for replication. This finding enables the design of innovative anti-flu drugs targeting all influenza strains.
A new protein called Lem4 has been discovered to direct a crucial step in cell division by preventing the addition of phosphate tags to BAF while promoting their removal. This process is essential for cellular growth and division, and its regulation may be key to understanding various cellular processes.
Researchers at EMBL found that 15% of human genes influence the secretory pathway, a complex network for transporting molecules to the cell membrane. This discovery suggests cells have evolved a strategy to adapt to environmental changes.
The new Multi-View SPIM microscope allows scientists to image rapid biological processes in thick samples at high resolution. It can record the movements of every nucleus in the embryo throughout its life, providing valuable insights into embryonic development.
Scientists have discovered the detailed structure of the shell surrounding genetic material in retroviruses like HIV at a crucial stage. This finding may lead to the development of new anti-retroviral therapies by targeting the immature virus shell.
Scientists at EMBL have created a first complete atlas of RNA-binding proteins, revealing over 300 previously unknown proteins. This discovery opens new avenues for studying diseases such as diabetes and glaucoma, suggesting that gene mutations may affect RNA control rather than protein function.
Researchers at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory have discovered a 'transformer' protein that allows cells to create vesicles of different shapes and sizes by changing the shape of individual building blocks. This breakthrough provides new insights into the structure and function of COPI protein-coated vesicles.
Microglia, the brain's emergency workers, use a long-lasting glutamate-driven calcium wave to detect injuries, allowing them to trace the signal backwards until they reach the site of damage. This discovery could lead to new treatments for conditions such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Researchers found that bacteria have a 'risk management' strategy to control mutation rate in key genes, decreasing the risk of detrimental mutations. The study provides insights into how disease-causing mutations arise and may be involved in cancer development.