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Gladstone Institutes


Preventing brain damage in preterm babies

A recent study has identified a blood protein called fibrin as the root cause of developmental delays and brain damage in preterm infants. The researchers found that fibrin interferes with a cell-signaling pathway essential for neuron creation, particularly in the cerebellum.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 24, 2024

A new therapeutic target for traumatic brain injury

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have identified a blood coagulation protein, fibrin, as the culprit behind toxic inflammation and neuron loss after a major head injury. This finding can inform new treatment strategies for traumatic brain injuries, which often lead to dementia, depression, and difficulty concentrating.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalJournal of Neuroinflammation·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 19, 2024

Cellular clean energy: Can mitochondria make more energy without collateral damage?

A team of scientists used CRISPR to identify genes responsible for energy production and ROS production in mitochondria. Their findings offer a starting point for developing therapies that independently control mitochondrial energy and ROS levels, potentially treating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 11, 2024

The best thing since sliced tissue

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create Gaussian Process Spatial Alignment (GPSA) to analyze 2D data from tissue slices and generate a 3D 'atlas' of the tissue. This allows for deeper understanding of biological tissue samples, enabling more precise predictions of gene expression and treatment outcomes.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Methods·DateAug 17, 2023

A key function for tight junctions in embryo models

A study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that tight junctions between cells may play a critical role in gastrulation in human embryos. By suppressing tight junction formation, the team was able to create primordial germ cell-like cells, which are stem cells resembling human precursors of sperm and egg cells.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 17, 2023

Revealing how blood triggers brain disease

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that blood leaking into the brain triggers toxic genes in microglia, turning them into harmful cells that destroy neurons. Fibrin, a blood protein, is responsible for this process, which can lead to cognitive dysfunction and motor impairment.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Immunology·DateJun 8, 2023

How high altitude changes your body’s metabolism

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes discovered that chronically low oxygen levels, similar to those experienced at high elevation, rewire how mice burn sugars and fats. The study found lasting changes in metabolism, including lower blood glucose levels and body weight, which mirror what has been seen in humans who live at high altitude.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMar 7, 2023

Scientists map networks of disease-associated immune genes

Researchers created a detailed map of how immune genes function together, shedding light on the basic drivers of immune cell function and immune diseases. The study found interconnected regulatory networks that can help explain why mutations in different genes lead to the same disease or how drugs impact multiple immune proteins.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature Genetics·DateJul 11, 2022

Finding HIV’s sweet spot

Researchers found that HIV prefers to infect memory CD4 T cells with large amounts of specific sugars, including fucose and sialic acid. The study also reveals that HIV boosts the production of these sugars in infected cells, highlighting a new target for potential treatments.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournaleLife·DateJul 5, 2022

Throwing drug resistance for a loop

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a novel class of therapeutics called feedback disruptors that target viral proteins' negative feedback loops. These drugs break the genetic feedback circuits, causing infected cells to self-destruct and stopping infection in its tracks.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateMay 12, 2022

Zeroing in on a new treatment for autism and epilepsy

Scientists at Gladstone Institutes have discovered that reducing protein tau levels soon after birth can prevent autism and epilepsy in an experimental model. The study pinpointed the crucial brain cells where tau levels must be reduced to avoid these problems, and showed that lowering tau is still effective when initiated after birth.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 27, 2022

Mini-livers on a chip

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes create mini-livers on a chip to study the immune system's response to hepatitis C infection. The platform enables precise control over cellular interactions, allowing for detailed insights into how the liver interacts with the virus and T cells.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalOpen Biology·DateApr 6, 2022

Getting to the heart of complex disease

Researchers at Gladstone Institutes have developed a novel method for identifying genetic variants that are likely to play important roles in congenital heart disease. The study leverages interactions between proteins to pinpoint candidate genes, including GLYR1, which is involved in turning other genes on and off.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalCell·DateFeb 18, 2022

Mutant stem cells defy rules of development

A recent study by Gladstone Institutes researchers found that mouse stem cells can spontaneously transition from heart cell precursors to brain cell precursors when a specific gene is removed. This discovery upends current understanding of how stem cells differentiate into adult cells and maintain their identity. The study's findings h...

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2022