Researchers discovered that SARS-CoV-2 can infect intestinal cells in vitro, explaining gastrointestinal symptoms and fecal-oral transmission. The study provides a new cell culture model for studying COVID-19 and may lead to new treatments by blocking the virus's entry into cells.
Researchers developed a new single-cell sequencing technique to study the regulation of gene transcripts. They found that cells use distinct strategies to control transcript copies, involving both transcription and degradation processes.
Researchers have discovered two mechanisms that repair DNA damage caused by acetaldehyde, a degradation product of alcohol. The novel route cuts the crosslink itself, providing a new line of defense against alcohol-induced ICLs.
Researchers developed CRISPR-HOT to label specific genes in human organoids, enabling the study of abnormal cell division and cancer development. By disabling the cancer gene TP53, they found that unstructured divisions of abnormal hepatocytes were more frequent, contributing to cancer development.
Researchers at Hubrecht Institute and Princess Máxima Center found that Escherichia coli bacteria induce unique DNA mutations in human cells, similar to those found in colon cancer patients. The study establishes a direct link between the microbes inhabiting our bodies and genetic alterations that drive cancer development.
Scientists have successfully used CRISPR/Cas9 base-editing to cure cystic fibrosis in human stem cells, providing a promising new approach for treating genetic diseases. The technique, which repairs mutations without cutting DNA, shows great promise for the future treatment of various genetic disorders.
Researchers have created a new stem-cell model that can grow somites, the blocks of tissue that form vertebrae and muscles in embryos. This model, called gastruloids, has been developed to study complex processes in embryonic development and may enable testing of new drugs for developmental defects.
Computer simulations visualize the molecular processes involved in converting adult cells into stem cells. The study reveals that a pioneer transcription factor called Oct4 plays a crucial role in opening chromatin to allow gene expression.
Researchers discovered that zebrafish heart muscle cells switch from fatty acids to sugars for energy, enabling regeneration. This metabolic shift is crucial for heart regeneration and may hold potential for human heart regeneration after a heart attack.
Researchers have developed a method to grow snake venom gland cells as organoids, producing active toxins. The lab-grown mini glands can be grown from multiple species and maintained indefinitely, holding promise for reducing the devastating impact of snakebites.
Researchers from the Hubrecht Institute and Utrecht University have set up a library of products derived from over ten thousand fungi to find new therapeutic compounds. They found 34 known compounds, including the cholesterol-lowering drug lovastatin, using zebrafish embryos as a test subject.
A transient wave of hematopoietic stem cell production occurs in the bone marrow of late fetuses and young adults, produced from resident hemogenic endothelial cells. This discovery fills a gap in our understanding of hematopoiesis and has implications for regenerative medicine and the development of innovative stem cell therapies.
Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have created a new method called GateID that allows for the purification of cell types to high purity without using antibodies or genetic reporters. This enables the detailed study of individual cell types, such as stem cells and tumor cells, which are crucial for understanding their properties and...
Researchers discovered that border zone cells in humans and mice develop a gene program that helps them survive a heart attack. This response is crucial for long-term recovery of the heart, but further research is needed to induce this response in humans.
Mini-tumors of head and neck cancer can be grown in the lab for long-term study, allowing researchers to test novel and existing therapies. The tumors' response to radiotherapy and targeted therapies will help predict patient outcomes.
Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute developed a new microscopy method to visualize gene translation in living cells, revealing out-of-frame translation occurs surprisingly frequently. This discovery suggests thousands of previously unknown proteins may be encoded in our DNA with unknown functions.
The use of mini-organs from tumors and healthy tissue in cancer research has been explored, revealing their potential in studying tumor development and testing existing and new therapies. This innovative approach holds promise for improving cancer treatment outcomes and advancing personalized medicine.
Scientists created a human model using organoids to study the function of specific genes mutated in liver cancer. They found that BAP1 mutations change cell behavior, making them more likely to be invasive and forming malignant tumors. The newly developed model provides valuable insights into liver tumor development.
Researchers discovered that DNA in early zygote is organized into Lamina Associated Domains (LADs) before gene activation, revealing a fundamental mechanism behind cell type identity. This discovery provides new insights into the development of an entire organism from a single fertilized oocyte.
Scientists discovered rare enteroendocrine cells in the intestine that produce hormones like ghrelin and GLP1, which can be tweaked to treat diseases like diabetes and obesity. By studying these cells using single-cell sequencing, researchers hope to develop new therapies.
Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute found that adult hearts do not have stem cells that can regenerate lost heart muscle after a heart attack. Instead, connective tissue cells produce scar tissue to replace the lost cardiac muscle, which helps maintain heart integrity.