A team from IRB Barcelona identifies Candida orthopsilosis, a hybrid fungus, as a potential pathogen that could infect humans and cause disease. The study suggests that climate change may have facilitated the emergence of this new microorganism, which has already been linked to several outbreaks and fatalities.
Scientists from IRB Barcelona have revealed how chromosomal instability activates a signalling pathway known as JAK/STAT, promoting caspase activity and DNA injury. This damage allows cells to escape from the primary tumour, thereby leading to metastasis.
Researchers found that ranolazine, a heart medication, slows down tumor progression and increases visibility of melanoma cells to the immune system. This combination could improve response rates for immunotherapies in patients with melanoma.
Researchers reveal a crucial link between DNA copy number and autophagy in embryonic development. High levels of autophagy are observed in cells with multiple copies of DNA, which can lead to programmed cell death.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed new p38 inhibitors that selectively impair one of the activation pathways of the protein, allowing it to perform many of its normal functions. The inhibitors show therapeutic potential for heart diseases such as cardiac cell death and cardiotoxicity.
The study of ToxR's protein structure bound to DNA has revealed how it triggers cholera toxin production. The research provides insights into the molecular mechanism behind Vibrio cholerae's virulence, shedding light on potential treatments for this disease.
Researchers discovered distinct variants of the mitochondrial protein Mitofusin 2, ERMIT2 and ERMIN2, located on the endoplasmic reticulum, forming a bridge between mitochondria and this organelle. These variants play a crucial role in maintaining optimal cellular functionality and regulating lipid metabolism.
A team of scientists has discovered that IL-17 protein plays a central role in skin ageing, leading to inflammation and deterioration. Temporary inhibition of IL-17 slows down the appearance of aging symptoms, offering new possibilities for treating skin conditions and facilitating recovery after surgery.
The Chinmo gene plays a crucial role in establishing the juvenile stage in insects, promoting tissue growth during this stage. The study also reveals that the Chinmo, Br-C, and E93 genes coordinate the formation of adult organs through sequential action, which may hold key to understanding cancer processes.
Researchers developed predictive models to design RNA-binding inhibitors for disease treatment by regulating protein production. The study identified three key features for effective oligonucleotides: thermostability, serum resistance, and RNase H sensitivity.
A new model of DNA flexibility has been developed, providing results of unprecedented quality and characterizing precision and efficiency at the computational level. The study presents a systematic and comprehensive analysis of DNA movement correlations and introduces a new method to capture them.
Research at IRB Barcelona reveals CPEB4's essential role in T lymphocytes' adaptation to chronic cellular stress. By overcoming this stress, these cells can exert their antitumour function and halt tumour growth.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that platinum accumulates in healthy cells surrounding cancer cells, particularly fibroblasts, and induces gene activation associated with poor response to chemotherapy. Periostin levels serve as a marker of TGF-β activity in fibroblasts and predict treatment benefit.
Scientists discovered a new hexameric structure of RepB protein, which initiates DNA replication for antibiotic resistance plasmids. The study highlights the importance of developing new antibiotics and understanding how resistance spreads.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered the ch-TOG protein's key role in microtubule initiation, crucial for cell functions and division. The protein facilitates the binding of tubulin molecules, enabling microtubule formation and growth.
Researchers found that blocking mitochondria fusion or fission triggers an inflammatory process, leading to muscular atrophy. This 'sterile inflammation' is not linked to infectious processes and has physiological relevance in mice with mitochondrial fragmentation.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have detailed the atomic scale mechanism of action for FoxH1, a key transcription factor in embryonic development and cancer. The study reveals an unusual binding mechanism to compacted DNA, shedding light on its role in disease progression.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new tool to block protein-protein interactions, a potential therapeutic approach for diseases such as prostate cancer. The synthetic molecules mimic the binding surface of proteins, offering high versatility and stability.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified the tiny fraction of tumour cells that remain hidden after surgery, leading to metastatic recurrence. These 'High Relapse Cells' can be eliminated through genetic techniques, preventing metastases and opening the possibility for new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona found that senescent cells stimulate the immune system to attack tumors more effectively than dead cells. Vaccinating healthy mice with senescent cells reduced tumor growth and improved immune response in animal models of melanoma and pancreatic cancer.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona and the PCCB have created a genetically tractable model of Ewing sarcoma using Drosophila flies expressing a mutant version of the human oncogene EWS-FLI. This model allows for the identification of critical proteins required for EWS-FLI's oncogenic function and potential therapeutic targets.
The Bioteque computational tool integrates vast amounts of biological data, providing insights into gene functions, protein interactions, and disease connections. By analyzing over 30 million functional interactions, the tool can predict drug sensitivity and accelerate biomedical research.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered a key mechanism behind the formation of brown adipose tissue, which is essential for preventing obesity. The study found that the NCOR1 protein is degraded through autophagy to ensure correct development of brown adipose tissue cells.
Researchers discovered an evolutionarily-conserved genomic region that regulates Wingless protein expression during wing formation and regeneration. This region also ensures proper wing development, but chronic activation leads to tumour growth.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have found that CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing can trigger cell toxicity and genomic instability, particularly in regions near the tumour suppressor protein p53. The study identified 3,300 targeted spots with strong toxic effects, highlighting the need for safer CRISPR reagents.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona develop a new approach to pinpointing the genes driving clonal hematopoiesis, a biological process linked to ageing and increased risk of blood malignancies. By adapting cancer genomics tools, researchers aim to improve early detection and monitoring of this condition.
Researchers have identified 42 genes related to 15 different cellular mechanisms that affect the risk of different types of somatic mutations. This comprehensive study may help explain cancer predisposition and potentially personalize prevention programs and cancer treatments.
Researchers found that tumour stem cells with Mex3a protein activity remain in a latent state, conferring resistance to chemotherapy. After treatment, these cells are reactivated, leading to cancer relapse. Removing the Mex3a gene makes colorectal cancer cells highly sensitive to chemotherapy.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona describe a cellular mechanism that coordinates inflammation resolution, with CPEB4 protein playing a crucial role. This regulation involves the balance between pro-inflammatory TTP and anti-inflammatory CPEB4 proteins.
Researchers have found that mutational signatures, which reflect a collection of mutations across the genome, can accurately predict drug response in cancer cells. The study suggests that these signatures may hold the key to better cancer therapies and could be used to predict treatment response.
Researchers from IRB Barcelona and Merus have discovered MCLA-158, a bi-specific antibody targeting cancer stem cells. The treatment prevents metastasis and slows primary tumor growth in experimental models of cancer.
Researchers have successfully rejuvenated mouse organs through cellular reprogramming, improving their health and potential applications for cell therapy. The study identified key changes in metabolism, gene expression, and DNA status during aging, which are partially reversed by reprogramming.
Researchers from IRB Barcelona have discovered that damaged mitochondria accumulation triggers inflammatory processes leading to muscle atrophy. Correcting mitochondrial function through increased BNIP3 levels can mitigate inflammation and muscle loss, offering potential tools for promoting healthy ageing.
Researchers have identified fragments of genetic material in Candida fungus that do not encode proteins but are specifically expressed during distinct stages of the infection process. These long non-coding RNA molecules show high specificity and differ between species, making them a potential target for new treatments.
A study by Spanish researchers has deciphered the landscape of third-order interactions in cancer, revealing that many genes involved in cancer may require one or two hits depending on other mutations. This discovery opens the way to more precise genetic diagnosis and new therapeutic targets.
Researchers have discovered that specific regions of HAT family proteins determine which amino acids they bind to, leading to unique functions in cell growth and diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. This knowledge will enable efforts to develop compounds targeting these proteins for therapy.
A diet rich in palmitic acid makes tumor cells more aggressive and increases their metastatic capacity, a process that is responsible for 90% of cancer deaths. Exposure to palmitic acid leads to permanent epigenetic modifications in tumor cells, allowing them to conserve metastatic capacity even after the fatty acid is removed.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified γTuRC as a centriole stabilizer, revealing its role in maintaining centriole stability and preventing microcephaly. The study's findings suggest that defects in γTuRC may contribute to various human diseases, including adolescent scoliosis and male infertility.
Researchers have found four commonly used medications that can reverse Alzheimer's disease in mice by addressing the underlying causes of the condition. The study identifies non-steroidal anti-inflammatories and anti-hypertensives as effective treatments, paving the way for early diagnosis and potential therapy.
Researchers describe disassembly of Drosophila fly trachea during metamorphosis, revealing two-stage process involving cell shrinkage and death. The study highlights intricate involvement of physical mechanisms and biological signalling in regulating cellular decisions.
Researchers have identified eight genes in the Candida glabrata fungus that confer resistance to various drugs. The study allows for genetic testing to diagnose potential drug resistance, guiding treatment choices. The findings also highlight cross-resistance phenomena, where exposure to one drug can lead to resistance to another.
Skeletal muscle secretes a molecule that regulates around 35% of liver functions, with the remaining basal functions independent of muscle activity. Ageing alters this communication, leading to non-optimal functions and accelerated ageing.
Researchers identified DNA mutations from platinum-based chemotherapies in AML patients, suggesting treatment-associated cancer development. The study's findings imply that clonal hematopoiesis precedes chemotherapy exposure.
Researchers developed a new computational procedure to discover functional protein shapes, revealing molecular details of cellular processes. The approach focused on allosteric regulation and applied to adenylate cyclase, a key enzyme in energy metabolism and hormone signaling.
Researchers developed a machine learning tool, BoostDM, that evaluates the potential contribution of mutations in genes to cancer development. The tool helps understand how tumors are caused at the molecular level and can facilitate medical decisions regarding therapy.
The study reveals that MK2 protein levels act as a molecular indicator for cell survival or death, with higher levels associated with cell death and lower levels linked to survival. Moderate stress triggers temporary activation of the p38-MK2 pathway, allowing cells to recover.
Chromosomal instability linked to cellular senescence in Drosophila study reveals mechanisms that could lead to reduced tumour growth and malignancy. Senescent cells cause inflammation and promote abnormal tissue growth.
Researchers have developed a tool to predict the biological activity of any molecule using deep machine learning methods. The system integrates experimental data with AI models to complete incomplete information about bioactivity profiles, enabling the selection of suitable candidates for drug discovery.
Researchers found that DNA methylation increases stiffness of DNA, affecting its 3D structure and gene activation. This discovery reveals a cryptic mechanism connecting epigenetic footprinting and gene programming.
Scientists have discovered that poor DNA compaction in mammary glands can lead to increased accessibility of retrotransposons, triggering an immune response and disrupting milk secretion. The findings highlight the importance of proper chromatin condensation for tissue development and function.