Scientists at IRB Barcelona have found that Lafora bodies accumulating in glial cells, not just neurons, are responsible for the disease's progressive degeneration. This discovery could lead to new treatments and insights into other neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered the HMCES enzyme to be a Achilles heel of some lung tumours with high mutations caused by the APOBEC system. Blocking HMCES is damaging to cancer cells but less so for healthy cells, making it a promising target for future treatments.
Scientists have identified unique infection patterns used by four Candida species, which cause 90% of candidiasis cases. The study reveals that human vaginal epithelial cells respond similarly to different species, with their response modulated according to the severity of the infection.
Scientists have found that malignant epithelial tumours produce a protein called Upd3, which blocks the production of steroid hormones and activates signalling pathways to delay development. This discovery has significant implications for understanding delays in puberty caused by various medical conditions.
The Drosophila headcase gene regulates adult progenitor cell development, including metamorphosis, by controlling growth, proliferation, survival and resistance to stress. It maintains an equilibrium between hormone-stimulated growth control and the stress response.
Researchers from IRB Barcelona and CNIO successfully reconstituted the human -tubulin ring complex (γTuRC) in vitro, a crucial component of microtubule formation. The 3D structure of γTuRC was revealed using cryo-electron microscopy.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells resistant to adult leukemia treatment are already present in tumors before diagnosis, according to a new study published by IRB Barcelona. The study analyzed genome sequencing data from 19 adult patients and found that these resistant cells were undetectable at the time of diagnosis.
Researchers reconstructed evolutionary events based on genetic changes, finding complex cellular machinery evolved before mitochondrial symbiosis. The study suggests cell complexity increased before acquiring mitochondria, challenging current understanding of eukaryogenesis.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new method to regulate cell plasticity by inhibiting the protein CDK8, strengthening gene expression for specific cell identities while reducing alternative identities. This approach holds promise for improving chemotherapy reactions and studying embryonic stem cells.
A computational pipeline predicts tumour response to different cancer treatments by identifying complex response markers from the patterns of co-occurrence between cancer driver genes. The system achieved 66% accuracy in predicting responses, offering a key factor in precision medicine for patients.
Researchers from IRB Barcelona have identified 568 cancer driver genes, play specific roles in cell growth regulation, DNA replication, and more. These genes confer malignant cells rapid reproduction, immune evasion, and invasive capabilities.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that mitochondrial calcium transporters duplicated around one billion years ago, giving rise to two subtypes. Only one subtype is present in animals, while most fungi conserve the other, making chytrids a suitable model organism for research.
Blocking TLKs triggers alternative telomere lengthening system, activating innate immune system and potentially attracting immune cells to combat cancer.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have discovered a new type of hypermutation called mutation fog, which generates hundreds of mutations in every cell and accumulates in critical genome regions. This process is linked to normal DNA repair and APOBEC enzyme activity, suggesting it may be a major source of cancer mutations.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have been awarded an ERC grant to develop new medications targeting senescent cells, which contribute to fibrotic diseases. The goal is to create senolytics that selectively eliminate damaged cells, potentially preventing age-related diseases.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism of toxicity in Alzheimer's disease, where Aβ protein assemblies disrupt the neuronal membrane, leading to cell death. The study provides insight into the atomic structure of these assemblies and proposes targeting membrane pores to prevent neurotoxicity.
The Chemical Checker tool uses a similarity principle to analyze over 1M compounds and identify potential treatments for diseases. It has been used to reposition approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease and identify substitutes for expensive biologics.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified CPEB2 as a crucial factor in the development of luminal breast cancer. The study found that CPEB2 is essential for protein synthesis after hormonal stimulation, leading to less cell proliferation and better prognosis in patients with low expression levels.
Researchers discovered that cancer stem cells' ability to synthesise proteins is the essence of their pluripotency and contributes to unlimited tumour growth. By blocking this capacity, tumours can be halted in an irreversible manner.
A study by IRB Barcelona's Cell Signaling laboratory found that histone modifications regulate response to cellular stress, including heat and salt stress. The researchers identified over 200 amino acid regions in histones that undergo modifications under stress, allowing for personalized adaptation.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discovered that Dpp and Wg morphogens stimulate growth through independent pathways, regulating organ proportions. The findings have significant implications for understanding malformations and congenital diseases in humans.
Researchers have discovered that inhibiting p38 reduces the growth of lung tumors in genetic mouse models. Lower levels of p38 in tumors are associated with a more favorable prognosis for patients.
A study at IRB Barcelona reveals how alterations in the protein degradation system play a key role in tumour development. The team identified hundreds of potential protein recognition sequences that are used by tumours to evade the degradation of onogenic proteins.
Scientists have characterised genetic alterations caused by six cancer therapies, revealing 'mutational footprints' that can help optimize treatment efficacy and minimize side effects. The study provides a new understanding of the relationship between therapy-induced mutations and long-term side effects.
Researchers have identified a key difference between SMAD2 and SMAD3, revealing that SMAD2 binds to DNA and activates gene expression. This finding refutes the theory that SMAD2 does not bind to DNA.
Researchers developed an algorithm that uses nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) to predict which cancer patients will respond to immunotherapy. NMDdetective identifies mutations in the genome susceptible to this quality control process, allowing for personalized treatment approaches.
Scientists have discovered a key protein structure that could lead to the development of treatments for Epstein-Barr virus infections. The portal protein plays a crucial role in the virus's DNA entry and exit mechanisms, and understanding its structure may enable the design of virus-specific inhibitors.
Researchers have identified key proteins that determine tumor aggression in male and female flies, which could lead to specific treatments for men and women. The study found that removing a protein called Phf7 reduced the aggressiveness of tumors in males.
A study found that chaperone protein Hsp70 inhibits toxic protein aggregates in the androgen receptor, which causes Kennedy's disease and prostate cancer. Hsp70 may be useful as a therapeutic target to treat these conditions.
A study by IRB Barcelona demonstrates that p38 inhibition boosts blood vessel formation in human and mice colon cancers, critical for cancer growth. The research reveals the role of p38 in mesenchymal stem cells and its involvement in angiogenesis.
A study from IRB Barcelona describes the reaction mechanism of DNAzymes, which catalyse RNA ligation through a similar mechanism to natural enzymes. The discovery may lead to improvements in current catalysers and the design of novel biocatalysers formed by DNA.
New research reveals that tissues can respond to light changes independently of the central clock in the brain, maintaining minimal functions even when other tissues fail. This autonomy has significant implications for health, particularly in regards to premature aging and pathologies caused by daily phase differences.
A team at IRB Barcelona has identified Mitofusin 2 as a protein that protects against non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Early diagnosis and treatment options for this condition are limited, but researchers hope to enhance levels of Mitofusin 2 without side effects.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discovered that the antibody mAb806 can be used to treat many types of tumors with EGFR mutations, not just a specific one. The study also found that even non-mutated EGFR can be treated to make it susceptible to mAb806 therapy.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have characterized the structure of BasC, a LAT family member, to understand its function and molecular defects associated with diseases like autism and age-related hearing loss. The study identifies the site where amino acids bind and reveals the mechanism underlying their interaction with cells.
A new biomarker, TP53INP2, has been identified as a potential marker for personalized cancer treatments. This protein increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to death signals, such as TRAIL, enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy treatments.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona achieved the first stable simulations of DNA crystals, providing detailed atomic descriptions of their properties. This accomplishment allows for optimized crystallization conditions and protocols for biophysicists and computational physicists/chemists.
A new mechanism has been discovered that allows eukaryotic cells to synthesize proteins absent in prokaryotes, leading to the enrichment of genes coding for transfer RNAs involved in this process. This finding may lead to the development of strategies to inhibit protein production in diseases caused by their overabundance.
A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology suggests that epigenetic treatments can alter the accumulation of mutations in tumors, potentially leading to more aggressive tumor growth. The researchers warn that these treatments should be used with caution and further studied before being used in clinical practice.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona develop peptide shuttle using scorpion venom to transport drugs across blood-brain barrier, improving efficacy for neurological treatments. The miniCTX3 peptide shows great efficiency in carrying compounds of different nature across the BBB.
Scientists have discovered that DNA damage and repair processes can generate sequence periodicity in the genomes of eukaryotes, favouring a certain composition with a periodic nature. This explanation offers an alternative to natural selection, which has been accepted by the scientific community to date.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona and Vrije Universiteit Brussel have identified camelid nanobodies effective against EGF, a growth factor dysregulated in cancer cells. These nanobodies could provide a potential treatment for patients developing resistance to existing EGFR inhibitors.
A study using Drosophila has demonstrated that chromosomal instability promotes invasive behavior in epithelial cells, activating key signaling pathways. The researchers identified the oncogene Fos and tumour suppressor Capicua as crucial players in this process, paving the way for future treatments.
Researchers discovered CPEB4, a molecule regulating protein synthesis, is impaired in most autism cases. The study found defects in CPEB4 lead to dysregulation of hundreds of genes associated with autism.
Researchers identify TLK1 and TLK2 as critical for accurate DNA replication, preventing extensive damage and cell death. The study found that these enzymes are rarely mutated in cancers but their high expression correlates with poor patient outcomes.
A computational study has shown that cancer cells proliferate less and are more vulnerable to acidic conditions than initially thought. The researchers have identified potential therapeutic targets by analyzing how variations in pH affect metabolic enzyme activity, providing opportunities for new treatments.
Senescent cells, also known as 'zombie cells,' interfere with tissue function and contribute to aging diseases. Researchers have designed a nano-carrier that selectively targets these cells, releasing drugs to kill them and improving therapeutic outcomes in pulmonary fibrosis and cancer models.
An international team of researchers developed a new computational method to predict the functions of thousands of microbial genes. The method, based on machine learning algorithms, analyzes 'big data' from human microbiomes and other environments to identify evolutionary signals that can assign biological roles to unknown genes.
A new study by IRB Barcelona researchers reveals that myeloid cells use p38 protein signalling to support inflammation-associated colon cancer. The study suggests IGF-1 as a potential therapeutic target in combination with prior detection of inflammatory infiltration in biopsies.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified the NEK7 protein as a crucial regulator of neuron formation in the hippocampus, a region associated with memory. The study found that NEK7 is essential for dendrite growth and branching, and its deficiency leads to complex phenotypes in mice, suggesting broader roles for this protein.