The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded $50.3 million to 53 colleges and universities to expand and update laboratories, recruit new faculty members, and provide research opportunities for undergraduates. The grants support interdisciplinary programs linking biology and other fields, as well as programs attracting biology major...
Scientists have developed a chimeric receptor in rice cells that enables the switch on of disease-resistance machinery when exposed to brassinolide, a potent growth-promoting hormone. This breakthrough technique offers a promising approach to understanding plant signaling hormones and receptors.
The structure of E. coli intimin-receptor complex shows how the bacterium attaches to intestinal cells, using a protein-protein complex with rigid arms and attaching hands. This finding could lead to new drug designs to thwart infection.
Researchers identified a new axon guidance receptor, Dscam, found in the tips of growing neurons that can exist in over 38,000 different forms. This unprecedented diversity may provide a fundamental code for precise wiring of trillions of neurons in the brain.
Mouse cells lacking nonhomologous DNA end-joining (NHEJ) pathway show high levels of chromosome breakage and genetic material rearrangement, highlighting its critical role in maintaining genomic stability. The study also reveals that NHEJ is essential for repairing damaged chromosomes induced by ionizing radiation.
Researchers propose a 10-year effort to understand Arabidopsis genes and their interactions. The goal is to build a complete "wiring diagram" of the plant's biological pathways and create a 'clickable plant' for interactive exploration.
Scientists discovered that a specific protein controls the developmental destiny of white blood cells. Increasing or decreasing this protein's levels can direct the cells' fate, raising hopes for new therapies.
A team of scientists led by Li-Huei Tsai found that the enzyme calpain triggers neurodegeneration in brain cells, similar to Alzheimer's disease. The discovery proposes a common mechanistic link between toxic insults and brain cell injury, offering potential targets for drugs to slow or stop progression.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has selected 48 talented researchers to join its investigator program, including 12 in computational biology. The new recruits will contribute to biomedical advances in areas like genomics and cognitive neuroscience.
Scientists have pinpointed the first gene in fruit fly Drosophila that is a target of an alternate control molecule, TRF1. This discovery opens up new avenues for understanding how gene expression is regulated, with potential implications for complex organisms like humans.
Researchers discovered two molecular switches, Jnk1 and Jnk2, that stimulate programmed cell death in response to UV radiation. Disrupting these genes protects cells from lethal doses of UV light, providing a promising new therapy for diseases such as strokes and heart attacks.
Researchers at HHMI discovered that crossing two related mouse species results in abnormalities in gene imprinting and growth abnormalities in hybrid offspring. The study found that disruptions in growth contribute to speciation by reflecting a rapidly evolving divergence between species.
Researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute solved the structure of the reovirus core, a double-stranded RNA virus that bears similarity to pathogens such as rotavirus. The study reveals how the core synthesizes, modifies, and exports viral messenger RNA, ultimately leading to viral replication and takeover of host cells.
Researchers have created a mutant strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis that fails to establish a lethal chronic infection in mice. Targeting the pcaA gene, which codes for an enzyme essential for virulence, may lead to breakthroughs in TB treatment.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute will award $16.25 million in new grants to support research by outstanding scientists in six countries, including Canada and five Latin American nations. The grants will be awarded competitively and range from $50,000 to $90,000 annually.
A genetic mutation in the tau gene has been identified as the cause of a 20-hour day in hamsters. The discovery reveals that the enzyme CK1ε plays a crucial role in regulating the circadian rhythm, and offers new opportunities for developing drugs to control the biological clock in humans.
Researchers at HHMI discover XRCC4, a new type of genomic caretaker that helps repair double-stranded DNA breaks. In mice without p53, XRCC4-deficient mice survive embryonic development and show normal behavior.
Scientists have identified a number of genes specifically regulated by the hormone leptin, which is produced by fat tissue and secreted into the bloodstream. These findings offer new insights into how leptin causes fat loss and decreased appetite, and may also provide new targets for drugs designed to stimulate weight loss.
Scientists have identified a family of candidate genes in humans and mice that code for receptors detecting bitter and sweet tastes. The discovery provides new tools to trace the wiring of the taste perception pathways into the brain, shedding light on how we perceive different tastes.
Scientists have found a genetic switch that helps calm anxiety in mice, revealing the role of Crhr2 receptor in reducing stress response. The discovery provides an initial motivation for further dissecting potential drug discovery programs.
A strain of mutant flies with a crippled light-reactive pigment maintains a steady clock under constant light. The fly cryptochrome dCRY is the only photoreceptor molecule regulating the fly's circadian rhythm.
Scientists discovered how ecdysone initiates a biochemical cascade controlling genes that destroy salivary gland tissues during Drosophila metamorphosis. The study reveals key components of the 'death cascade' and suggests potential connections to mammalian cell death programs.
The Drosophila genome sequence has been completed, providing valuable insights into human diseases and animal development. The sequence data reveals homologues for 60% of known genetic flaws causing disease in humans and 70% of genes involved in human cancers.
Researchers studying clumsy fruit flies have identified a central component of the sensory machinery that underlies balance, touch and hearing. They discovered a molecule called an ion channel, which is pried open when a bristle is deflected, triggering a nerve impulse.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute has awarded nearly $1.6 million in grants to support research experiences for Maryland high school students and science teachers. The awards include funding for student internships at the National Institutes of Health and teacher training and curriculum development.
Researchers have identified a new family of genes that encode proteins functioning as bitter taste receptors, providing crucial insight into the organization of the taste system. The study reveals that these receptors are expressed in cells that also express gustducin, a coupling protein critical for sending bitter signals to the brain.
Researchers have identified a protein, Chk2, that activates the tumor suppressor gene p53 to prevent damaged DNA from causing cancer. In Chk2-deficient cells, the brakes on proliferation are released, allowing cancerous cell growth.
Researchers discovered that HIV attaches to immature immune cells called dendritic cells on mucosal surfaces, allowing it to infect the rest of the immune system. A specific dendritic cell receptor called DC-SIGN is identified as the key entry point for the virus.
A signaling protein acts as a 'messenger of death' to execute apoptosis, a process regulating cell numbers and connections. The discovery could offer targets for drugs preventing cell death related to heart attacks, strokes, or Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers developed a new laboratory method to improve genetic diagnostic tests for colon cancer and inherited diseases. The technique detects defective genes that are masked when one copy is normal, increasing the accuracy of testing. This could lead to increased detection rates for many genetic diseases.
The National Research Council will assemble a committee of experts to consider how undergraduates can gain knowledge and skills needed for research careers in the rapidly changing biomedical sciences. The committee will produce a report with recommendations, along with case studies and a review of best practices.
Researchers created a DNA microarray called Lymphochip to analyze gene expression in normal and malignant cells, revealing two distinct forms of DLBCL with different clinical outcomes. The study improved diagnosis and treatment of these lymphomas by providing a detailed molecular portrait of the disease.
Researchers have discovered the cause of enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS), a disorder that affects sensitivity to blue light and development of night blindness. Mutations in the photoreceptor gene NR2E3 were found in 94% of DNA samples from ESCS-affected individuals.
HHMI researchers found that yeast prions can transmit phenotypes through protein-protein interactions, hinting at the presence of undiscovered protein-based 'genetic elements'. This discovery offers a powerful new technique for exploring cells' machinery by selectively turning off specific proteins.
Scientists have pinpointed abnormalities in gene expression that occur before signs of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) appear. Researchers found six genes whose expression pattern is altered by the abnormal SCA1 gene, including a gene involved in regulating calcium levels in neurons.
A groundbreaking mouse study has identified the molecular mechanism behind morphine tolerance, offering new hope for more effective pain management. The research found that genetically engineered mice lacking a key protein exhibited prolonged analgesia and reduced tolerance to morphine.
A study has found that an enzyme involved in normal protein folding also regulates enzymes responsible for folding proteins in healthy cells. This discovery suggests a potential connection between protein misfolding and Alzheimer's disease, with implications for treatment. The researchers identified presenilin-1 as a key player in this...
The discovery reveals how the kinesin motor generates motion along microtubule tracks, with a key role played by the neck linker. This understanding could lead to medical therapies targeting kinesin activity in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.
The HHMI grants aim to strengthen biomedical research at medical schools, which are crucial for advancing medical knowledge. The funding will support junior faculty, pilot studies, and collaborations between basic scientists and clinical researchers.
The researchers created mouse models with benign and malignant NF1-related tumors to study the disease. The studies revealed that neurofibroma tumors invariably include cells lacking the NF1 gene, and that anti-Ras drugs might be useful in treating NF1.
Researchers identified a molecule that triggers the formation of deadly protein snarls in Alzheimer's disease. High levels of a shortened, malfunctioning version of the protein p35 in brains lead to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, causing neurofibrillary tangles.
The Howard Hughes Medical Institute awards a four-year grant to expand training programs for Central and Eastern European, former Soviet Union, and Baltic scientists in specialized symposia, laboratory courses, and visiting lectureships. Over 500 participants have benefited from similar grants in Latin America.
Researchers identified three key molecular actors involved in Fragile X syndrome, including the protein FMRP, which binds to messenger RNA molecules and regulates translation. The study sheds light on the cellular mechanisms underlying the disorder, potentially leading to new treatments for other types of mental retardation.
A team led by David Page has discovered the first mutation on the Y chromosome linked to male infertility. The finding may lead to the development of treatments and male contraceptives.
Researchers found that exercise increases the growth of new nerve cells and improves long-term memory in adult mice. Mice exercising for one month showed a significant improvement in memory skills, with better recall times and increased neural activity compared to sedentary mice.
Researchers discovered that humans carry a snippet of DNA resembling an HIV gene sequence, known as HERV-K, which has been present in the human genome for over 30 million years. The virus's Rev protein, similar to HIV's, helps with viral replication and may have implications for xenografts and viral infection strategies.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute have identified a protein that works closely with Brca1 to initiate DNA repair. Mutations in this trigger protein may be responsible for more instances of breast cancer than Brca1 mutations, accounting for nearly ten percent of all breast cancers.
Researchers from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute identified a crucial lipid molecule produced by M. tuberculosis to infect lung tissue. The discovery could lead to improved vaccines and treatments for tuberculosis, which kills more people than AIDS or malaria.
Researchers have found that the ancestor of human sex chromosomes arose from an identical pair of standard chromosomes approximately 240-320 million years ago. This new evidence suggests that the first events creating sex chromosomes occurred earlier than previously thought, around 100 million years sooner.
Using genetically manipulated T cells producing a fluorescent jellyfish protein, researchers observed the movement of MEKK2 towards T cell receptors within seconds of antigen binding. This study reveals MEKK2's crucial role in delivering molecular signals to the nucleus and active attachment between immune cells.