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Helmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))


New source of stem cells in injury-affected brains of patients

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have identified a new source of stem cells in the brains of patients with brain injuries, which could lead to improved treatments for neurological disorders. The discovery involves specific astrocyte cells that exhibit properties of neural stem cells and can be regulated by a protein called Galectin 3.

Accelerating drug development for lung diseases: New insights from single-cell genomics

A new experimental model, human precision-cut lung slices (hPCLS), was used to study lung disease mechanisms and understand treatment response. The team leveraged single-cell genomics to analyze cell activity in hPCLS after specific treatments.

Understanding the role of GIP in managing diabetes and obesity

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich discovered that GIP decreases body weight by interacting with specific inhibitory neurons in the brain, offering a revolutionary approach to patients worldwide. The study reveals the underlying molecular mechanisms of GIPR:GLP-1R co-agonists and their potential as next-generation anti-obesity drugs.

Interpreting large-scale medical datasets

A new generative model named scPoli enables multi-scale representations of cells and samples, facilitating the integration of high-quality large-scale datasets for novel biological insights and disease understanding. This model accelerates atlas building and usage, ultimately accelerating disease understanding and therapy development.

DeepMB: a deep learning framework for high-quality optoacoustic imaging in real-time

Researchers have developed DeepMB, a neural network that reconstructs high-quality optoacoustic images about 1,000 times faster than state-of-the-art algorithms. This enables clinicians to access optimal MSOT image quality in real-time, positively impacting clinical studies and patient care.

Take a deep breath: early detection of vascular disease in chronic lung disease of premature infants

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich developed a non-invasive method using MR imaging to detect early signs of vascular disease associated with chronic pulmonary impairment in premature infants. The study presents a new tool for risk stratification and potential prevention of complications later in life.

AI predictions for colorectal cancer: One step closer to efficient precision oncology

Researchers from Helmholtz Munich and TU Dresden develop AI-powered biomarker detection that outperforms previous approaches. The algorithm achieves high sensitivity on resection tissue samples and shows promise as a pre-screening tool for biopsy tissue.

A new ally in fighting brain diseases: our very own skull

Scientists discover unique immune cells in skull's bone marrow, facilitating movement of immune cells between brain and skull, offering new possibilities for diagnosing and treating neurological diseases. Non-invasive skull imaging may enable early detection and monitoring of conditions like Alzheimer's and stroke.

Potentiating cancer vulnerability to ferroptosis: Off-targeting effects of DHODH inhibitors

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discovered that DHODH inhibitors sensitize cancer cells to ferroptosis by inhibiting ferroptosis suppressor protein-1 (FSP1), not DHODH itself. This finding confirms the crucial role of FSP1 in ferroptosis surveillance and opens up new avenues for developing effective cancer therapies.

New approach in cancer therapy with innovative mechanism-of-action for ferroptosis induction

Researchers discovered icFSP1, a novel anti-cancer drug that sensitizes cancer cells to ferroptosis by triggering phase separation of FSP1. This mechanism-of-action has great promise for combating tumors and offers a new concept in cancer therapy.

Diagnosis of type 1 diabetes after SARS-CoV-2 infection: Researchers find possible correlation

A study found that children with COVID-19 were 57% more likely to develop type 1 diabetes, with the increase occurring shortly after the virus diagnosis. The researchers hope to explore this correlation further using prospective cohorts of children.

Ambient ultrafine particles – very small and very dangerous?

Researchers found an increased risk of death due to respiratory disease five to seven days after exposure to ultrafine particles. The risk was highest for smaller particle sizes, with a 4.46% increase in mortality for each 3,223 particles per cubic centimeter concentration.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2023

Wilson’s disease: Bacterial agent opens new therapeutic options

A bacterial molecule, ARBM101, has been found to efficiently lower liver copper levels in a rat model, offering a promising new therapeutic option for Wilson's disease. The treatment approach involves weekly applications followed by month-long breaks, significantly shortening the therapy period.

New targets for CAR-T cell therapy against acute myeloid leukemia through AI-assisted analysis

Researchers have identified two potential molecular targets, CSF1R and CD86, that can be used to develop CAR-T cells effective against acute myeloid leukemia. The study's findings demonstrate the potential of AI-assisted analysis in discovering new treatment options.

Cited1 links sex and metabolic hormones to protect against obesity

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich discovered a new protein called Cited1 that plays a crucial role in regulating energy homeostasis and sensitivity to satiety hormones. The study found that females are better protected against obesity due to their higher levels of estrogens, which regulate energy metabolism through the hypothalamus.

Unraveling key determinant of successful therapeutic vaccination against chronic hepatitis B

A study published in Journal of Hepatology found that efficient priming of HBV-specific CD4 T cells is crucial for the success of therapeutic hepatitis B vaccination. The researchers developed a novel heterologous prime-boost vaccine, TherVacB, which induced antiviral efficacy in preclinical mouse models.

Trigger in MODY3 diabetes: Insulin hypersecretion precedes pancreatic β cell failure

Researchers discovered that MODY3 patients experience hypersecretion of insulin from β cells due to more efficient membrane depolarization. This phenomenon precedes pancreatic β cell failure and can be targeted for prevention or delay with treatments, such as diets or drugs.

Novel spatial-omics technology enables investigation of diseases at their early stages

Researchers developed a new spatial-omics technology called DISCO-MS to detect early molecular changes in diseases. This approach allows for the characterization of diseased cells in intact tissues, revealing new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for conditions like Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis.

Molecular monitoring of RNA regulation

A new reporter system called INSPECT allows for highly sensitive monitoring of both coding and non-coding RNA production, shedding light on cellular processes. This breakthrough tool modifies introns without altering completed RNA or proteins, offering a minimally invasive solution to study RNA regulation.

Node-centric expression models (NCEMs): Graph-neural networks reveal communication between cells

Researchers developed a new method to represent cell communication using graph neural networks, which uncovers the effects of tissue niche composition on gene expression. The node-centric expression models (NCEMs) identify cell-cell dependencies and molecular processes underlying cell communication.

Landscape of molecular contacts: How the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 communicates with human cells

A team of scientists has identified over 200 direct protein-protein contacts between the SARS-CoV-2 virus and human cells, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying severe COVID-19. The study reveals chains of connections between viral proteins and infection-relevant human genes, with implications for disease severity and treatment.

Switching tracks: Changing the trafficking of the glucagon receptor in the liver regulates its metabolic signaling

Helmholtz Munich researchers identified a novel strategy to alter glucagon receptor signaling by changing its intracellular localization. This approach offers therapeutic potential for treating type 2 diabetes by uncoupling glucose and lipid metabolism-related effects.

Type 1 diabetes: New findings on the development of the autoimmune disease in children

A long-term study on infants and young children with increased genetic risk of type 1 diabetes found that metabolic changes occur much earlier than previously assumed. Blood sugar levels were found to be higher in children who developed autoimmunity, suggesting a potential indicator for islet cell dysfunction.

Efficient AI technology for MRI data analysis

Researchers developed an AI algorithm that can learn independently from multiple medical institutions without compromising data privacy. The algorithm outperformed traditional methods and has the potential to revolutionize digital medicine by reducing radiologists' workloads and making AI-based solutions more affordable.

Type 1 diabetes in children: Only 22 euros for an early diagnosis before symptoms arise

A recent study found that early detection of type 1 diabetes in children can effectively monitor and treat the disease. The cost analysis shows that standard screening could reduce costs from 28 euros to 22 euros per child, while also preventing metabolic derailments and their consequences.

Important step towards fasting-based therapies

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have discovered a crucial link between the immune system and metabolic response to fasting. By examining liver cells and immune cells, they found that immune cells can directly influence the effect of fasting on metabolism through a key molecule called the glucocorticoid receptor.

Scientists dive deep into the different effects of morning and evening exercise

Researchers discovered how different tissues respond to exercise at various times of day, influencing sleep, memory, and metabolic homeostasis. The 'Atlas of Exercise Metabolism' provides a comprehensive map of exercise-induced signaling molecules present in different tissues following exercise.

A light in the dark tissue: Switchable proteins for biomedical imaging

Researchers developed photoswitchable label proteins to visualize small numbers of cells in live organisms, enabling improved understanding of diseases like the immune system or tumor development. They also created sensors for optoacoustic and super-resolution imaging to visualize small molecules or ions at nanometer resolution.

New link between diet, intestinal stem cells and disease discovered

A new study reveals that a high-sugar and high-fat diet can disrupt the natural adaptation of the digestive system by accelerating the division and differentiation of intestinal stem cells. This can lead to an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and gastrointestinal cancer.

Revealing the secrets of cell competition

Research found that cells with defective mitochondria and sequence changes in their genome are 'loser' cells in mouse embryos, suggesting that mitochondrial dysfunction is a common characteristic of competing cells. The study suggests that mitochondrial activity may be a key determinant of cellular fitness in various biological contexts.

Gastrulation research reveals novel details about embryonic development

Researchers from Helmholtz Zentrum München have discovered a novel mechanism driving the formation of the endoderm germ layer during gastrulation. This finding has significant implications for understanding congenital diseases and potential targets for therapeutic intervention in cancer.

Plant Protector: How plants strengthen their light-harvesting membranes against environmental stress

A study by an international consortium reveals the structure and mechanism of a protein that builds and maintains photosynthetic membranes in plants. The research provides new opportunities for engineering plants to be more resistant to extreme environmental conditions, helping to sustain human food supply and combat climate change.

Obesity and hypertension: Researchers discover novel mechanisms

New research reveals that obese mice do not increase the density of blood vessels in the hypothalamus when leptin is absent. However, increasing leptin levels promotes vessel growth via astrocyte activity. This study provides a paradigm shift in understanding how the hypothalamus controls blood pressure in obesity.

Self-excising designer proteins report isoform expression

Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München developed a new bioengineered reporter system called EXSISERS, enabling non-invasive observation of fundamental cellular processes. The system detects specific protein isoforms being translated, with potential applications in neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's.

Children and Corona: More infections than reported cases during second wave in Germany

A German study found that preschool and school children were more infected with SARS-CoV-2 than previously reported cases during the second wave. Antibody tests revealed a significant increase in infections among both age groups, with antibody frequencies up to eight times higher than those reported via PCR testing.

Scientists discover a new promising target for diabetes treatment

Researchers have discovered a novel and druggable insulin inhibitory receptor named inceptor. Blocking its function leads to increased sensitisation of the insulin signalling pathway in pancreatic beta cells, allowing for potential protection and regeneration of beta cells for diabetes remission.

Uncovering basic mechanisms of intestinal stem cell self-renewal and differentiation

Researchers improved understanding of intestinal stem cells' renewal and differentiation into specialized cell types. They identified a specific Wnt/planar cell polarity pathway regulating intestinal stem cell self-renewal and lineage decisions, crucial for treating diseases like diabetes and colorectal cancer.

Animal-free method predicts nanoparticle toxicity for safer industrial materials

Researchers developed an animal-free method to predict nanoparticle toxicity, enabling safer industrial materials production and reducing environmental risks. The new approach identifies key cellular events triggering inflammation, allowing for high-throughput testing and connectable with in silico modeling.