Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered a new genetic program that converts epithelial cells into mobile invasive cells, which is common in embryonic development and tumour progression. The GATA6 gene plays a key role in this process, triggering survival factors and degrading the cellular matrix to facilitate cell migration.
Scientists have solved the structure of a key region in Ler, a protein linked to E.coli virulence. This breakthrough could lead to alternative treatments and minimize antibiotic resistance.
Researchers have identified a new reprogramming mechanism for tumor cells, with the protein CPEB4 activating hundreds of genes associated with tumor growth. The study found that inhibition of CPEB4 reduces tumor size by up to 80%, providing a promising avenue for new cancer treatments.
Dr. Modesto Orozco has been awarded an ERC Advanced Grant for his project SimDNA, a computational biology initiative aiming to unravel the structure and properties of nucleic acids. The five-year grant provides funding of around 2-3 million Euros.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified human colon stem cells and developed a method to grow them in lab-plates. This breakthrough could lead to significant advances in regenerative medicine, potentially treating diseases such as colorectal cancer and Crohn's disease.
Researchers have developed a genetically engineered mouse model to study Lafora disease, revealing the role of malin-laforin complex in glycogen synthesis and neuronal degeneration. The study provides evidence for abnormal sugar accumulation leading to neuronal deterioration and death.
Researchers have discovered a key mechanism controlling the segregation of genetic material from parent to daughter cells. The study found that degradation of CenH3 protein is essential for limiting its presence at centromeres and that this degradation is mediated by protein partner Ppa.
The study reveals that EphB-ephrin bindings activate metaloprotease ADAM10, destroying binding between distinct cell types and preventing cell mixing. This mechanism is crucial for maintaining tissue organization in the intestinal epithelium.
Researchers identify complex mechanism by which Smads regulate genes associated with cancer, revealing process that ensures protein destruction after function completion. The study could serve as foundation for new clinical treatments against cancer and other diseases.
Researchers found that genes similar to those in intestinal stem cells are activated in colorectal cancer cells, predicting a higher risk of relapse. The discovery opens up new possibilities for diagnosing and treating colon cancer by targeting tumour stem cells.
The study completes the film frame of transporters' conformations, enabling understanding of diseases like cistinuria and design of drugs targeting cancer cells. New knowledge will help design inhibitors to affect amino acid uptake by cancer cells.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona discovered that some brain tumors in fruit flies use the genetic program of germline cells to grow. Silencing specific genes leads to healthy brains, highlighting their crucial role in tumor development. This finding offers new insights into cancer research and potential treatment approaches.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discovered 200 new protein interactions that could be linked to Alzheimer's disease, bringing the total number of interactions to 6000. The study reveals new molecular mechanisms, including oxidative stress and inflammation, which may play a role in the development of the disease.
A study published in PLoS Biology found that p53 determines organ size by regulating tissue growth. The protein's activation in response to stress leads to a coordinated reduction in the growth of healthy tissues, allowing damaged areas to repair themselves.
Certain types of aggressive breast cancer cells bypass tumor suppression mechanisms due to the presence of Her2 proteins. The study found that protein Lip produced by these cells deactivates protective responses such as TGF-β and OIS, allowing them to grow uncontrolledly.
MoDEL, a new database of protein motions, was published by IRB Barcelona scientists. The database holds over 1,700 proteins and allows for more accurate drug design.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have identified a new protein crucial for mitochondrial function in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The removal of this protein leads to aberrant mitochondria and metabolic capacity loss, causing death.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona discover that raltegravir cancels function of essential protein in herpesvirus replication, offering potential target for new drug development. Human cytomegalovirus, the most deadly and widespread herpes virus, shows vulnerability to raltegravir treatment.
Researchers describe DNA hairpin folding process in water with atomic resolution, finding competition between fast and slow routes and random exploration of microscopic details. This breakthrough has significant implications for therapeutic strategies based on oligonucleotides and RNA interference treatments.
Researchers observe DNA unfolding at high resolution for the first time, revealing two main mechanisms of separation. This breakthrough aims to design drugs that modulate gene activity and DNA replication.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona discover that microRNAs regulate Myc protein levels through the molecule Mei-P26, providing new insights into cancer development. The study found that miRNAs affect Myc expression in Drosophila, suggesting a finely tuned mechanism to maintain optimal levels of both.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new method to study intrinsically disordered proteins, crucial for designing drugs against Alzheimer's disease and prostate cancer. The approach uses computational predictions and laboratory experiments to obtain structural information about dynamic proteins.
Researchers found that Notch protein represses the pathway in cells emitting signals, but activates it in neighboring cells. This discovery may lead to more effective therapies against cancers such as leukemia and breast cancer.
Researchers discovered mitochondrial protein and gene anomalies in young obese subjects with type 2 diabetes, leading to insulin resistance and reduced physical exercise response. The study highlights the need for specific treatments for each patient subtype.
Researchers studied cell-to-tube transformation in Drosophila, revealing the formation of small-diameter respiratory tubes and their link to capillary development. The study identified key genetic machinery and molecular mechanisms involved, providing insights into the development of fine blood vessels.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified a new gene, DOR, that facilitates the formation of autophagosomes and plays a crucial role in the cellular recycling program. The study suggests potential avenues for developing new therapies for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by modulating autophagy.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have developed a new tool to induce controlled mutations in human cells, allowing them to study rescue signalling pathways and cell suicide. The tool helps understand the cellular response to accumulated errors in proteins, which can lead to neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists at IRB Barcelona have identified the mechanism that protects somatic cells against germ cell behavior, allowing for proper separation of future ovules and sperm during embryonic development. This finding has implications for understanding diseases caused by failed repression mechanisms.
Researchers are decoding the network of biological complexes that regulate development, focusing on key proteins involved in gene expression. The study aims to understand how these proteins cooperate to perform functions in healthy cells and compare this with disease states, particularly cancer.
The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) will coordinate two European health research projects on malaria and diabetes. The Mephitis project aims to find new anti-malarial compounds, while the MITIN Project applies bioinformatics to understand complex diseases like diabetes.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered the relation between genes that affect a cell's capacity to generate energy. The study highlights the importance of Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) in regulating mitochondrial fusion, which is crucial for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona and ICIQ have designed a compound that can stabilize the p53 protein, even when it has mutations that promote cancer. The study opens up a new approach for developing anti-tumor drugs.
A study reveals a mechanism that controls cell adhesion and movement in tissues, which may be defective in diseases like cancer. The research found that the amount of adhesive protein E-Cadherin is controlled by its trafficking inside cells.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have performed the first computational analysis of transient interactions between proteins, unveiling molecular mechanisms involved in specificity. The study reveals that contextual residues determine protein recognition, with implications for drug design and cellular network resilience.
A study published in the EMBO Journal reveals that distinct signaling pathways between neighboring cells regulate cell division. Notch and Wnt/Wingless pathways control proliferation through gene effectors dMyc and bantam, which instruct E2F to activate the cell division machinery.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have discovered a new control mechanism for genetic code translation in bacteria, which differs from humans. This discovery strengthens the theory that the initial genetic code evolved separately in distinct branches of life, highlighting the plasticity and complexity of the genetic code.
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding the mechanisms that regulate hemoglobin's ability to transport oxygen. By using sophisticated atomic calculation techniques, they have identified the factors that control hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen, which can now be used to design alterations of its structure.
Researchers found that excessive glucose chains induce neuronal death and cause Lafora disease by disrupting glycogen levels. This discovery may lead to new treatment strategies for other neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists identify EphB2 and EphB3 receptors as key players in limiting tumor cell growth to confined compartments. This mechanism prevents tumors from invading other tissue areas.
Scientists have identified a key mechanism in the malaria parasite that allows it to adapt to infected individuals by switching on and off protein expression. The study reveals that 7 genes can be silenced without compromising the parasite's ability to enter red blood cells.
A new study has identified a key genetic function involved in wing formation in fruit flies, providing insight into the internal laws regulating embryo development. The research uses mathematical modeling to simulate biological systems and confirms the stability of this gene network across evolution.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona identified a new signaling mechanism in Drosophila melanogaster that allows two independent groups of cells to collaborate and send signals to target cells. This mechanism is crucial for proper cell function and development.
Scientists identified a molecular switch that causes differentiation of neurons in the cerebellum, a part of the brain controlling movement. The discovery provides new insights into brain formation mechanisms and potential therapeutic applications for rare diseases like cerebellar ataxias.
The study identifies centrosome asymmetry as a key regulator of asymmetric stem cell division, ensuring the correct differential identity of resulting cells. This complex behavior is precisely regulated, coinciding with the orientation in which the stem cell must divide to guarantee asymmetry.
Scientists from IRB Barcelona have published a dynamic map of protein behavior, enabling the prediction of protein structures and interactions. The study, part of the MoDel project, aims to establish a 'fourth dimension' for protein structures, facilitating the design of new drugs and understanding of protein functions.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona have identified a crucial protein in building the nuclear envelope, a complex structure surrounding the nucleus. The discovery of MEL-28 sheds light on how this envelope is assembled and regulated.