A recent study published in Cell Host & Microbe reveals that expression of H Ferritin gene reduces oxidative stress and prevents tissue damage by controlling iron accumulation. This protective mechanism provides a new approach to treating malaria by inducing tolerance to the disease, without targeting the parasite.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism in pollen cells that silences potentially mutagenic sequences of mobile DNA, thereby avoiding damage to new plants. The mechanism involves the addition of methyl groups to DNA sequences, which is restored by small RNA molecules, ensuring epigenetic inheritance.
Researchers from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência describe the steps involved in making a motile flagellum in fruit fly sperm cells. The process involves the formation of a critical protein structure called the central microtubule pair, essential for coordinated movement.
A recent study by an international research group challenges the conventional wisdom that deforestation is solely caused by human activity. The research suggests that pre-human climatic changes may have led to the current open habitats of Daraina region in northern Madagascar, affecting the population of golden-crowned sifaka.
Scientists at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência have identified a new phosphate transporter in plant root cells that plays a crucial role in phosphorus uptake when Pi is scarce. The discovery provides insight into how phosphate transport systems can be manipulated to counteract stressful conditions and potentially improve crop yields.
Research reveals that bacteria can cause disease through frontal attack or stealthy manipulation of the host's immune system. Bacteria that destroy phagocytes have low infectivity, while those with high growth rates and quorum-sensing capabilities are more infectious.
Researchers propose a new approach to treating infectious diseases by targeting tolerance to infection. This strategy aims to reduce tissue damage and promote host protection. By distinguishing between failed resistance and failed tolerance, scientists can choose more effective therapeutic approaches.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência receive €2.2 million funding to investigate mechanisms behind 'tolerance to infection'. They aim to identify protective genetic programs controlling tissue damage in various diseases, paving the way for new therapeutic interventions.
Five Portuguese scientists have been awarded prestigious funding by the US-based HHMI for their innovative research projects. The awardees, who are based in Portugal, will receive $650,000 over five years to work on diverse areas of neuroscience and parasitology.
Researchers at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia have uncovered a molecular mechanism that enables cells to accurately inherit non-genetic information, such as protein structures. This epigenetic memory is crucial for maintaining genome organization and preventing errors in cell division, which can lead to cancer.
The sequenced spider mite genome provides insights into its feeding frenzy, pesticide resistance, and web-making abilities. The study reveals the genetic basis for these traits, including the acquisition of bacterial genes that enhance digestion and detoxification.
Research shows that bacterial resistance mechanisms increase survival and reproduction rates when both genetic mutations and plasmid insertions occur simultaneously. Bacteria like Escherichia coli exhibit faster reproduction in up to 32% of mutation-plasmid combinations.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência found that the actin-capping protein regulates the Hippo complex, leading to abnormal growth and tumour formation. The study provides insights into understanding proliferation gene activation in cancer research.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia unravel the molecular mechanism of sickle cell trait's protective effect against malaria. Sickle hemoglobin induces heme oxygenase-1, which produces carbon monoxide to protect infected hosts from cerebral malaria.
Researchers found that pollen and pistil communicate using Glutamate receptor-like channels and D-serine, a key player in animal brain function, facilitating pollen tube growth and guiding fertilization. This discovery reveals conserved mechanisms between plant and animal cell-cell communication.
Two Portuguese researchers are awarded $100,000 to develop a novel approach to combat malaria. By harnessing the power of human antibodies against gut flora, they aim to prevent infection immediately after mosquito bites. The project's innovative method has the potential to revolutionize malaria prevention and eradication efforts.
Researchers found that free heme released from red blood cells during infection causes organ failure, but hemopexin can neutralize its toxic effects. Administering hemopexin improves survival rates in mice and may predict mortality in patients with severe sepsis.
A team of Portuguese researchers has discovered that a specific Histone modification prevents DNA damage recognition machinery from arresting the cell cycle at telomere ends. This finding provides insights into the relationship between telomeres and cancer, as well as potential therapeutic interventions.
Researchers use fruit flies to study protein modifications that can contribute to cancer development. The study aims to unravel the role of enzyme San in tissue proliferation and cancer growth.
Researchers discovered that specific brain circuits in the basal ganglia signal the start and stop of new actions, a process compromised in Parkinson's and Huntington's patients. Genetic manipulation of these circuits in mice impaired sequence learning, echoing human patients' struggles with movement initiation and termination.
Five young Portuguese researchers have been awarded starting grants from the European Research Council to study the processes underlying cell division, ageing and adaptation. Their work has implications for understanding cancer, age-related syndromes and infertility.
A study by Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência has identified the first genetic risk factors for cerebral malaria in Angolan children, a severe form of malaria infection. The research found that variants in two genes, TGFB2 and HMOX, increase susceptibility to cerebral malaria.
A study published in Current Biology reveals the genetic and neural mechanisms underlying food choice in fruit flies. Flies select between protein-rich and sugar-rich foods based on nutritional needs, gender, and mating status, with female flies reacting faster to changes in diet than males.
Researchers found that high cholesterol levels affect bone marrow microenvironment, leading to increased exit of cells into peripheral blood. This study has implications for transplantation and understanding bone marrow malignancies.
Researchers from Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia found that making ribs is an active process in vertebrates, balanced by Hox genes. They discovered a coordinated mechanism controlling the production of both ribs and associated muscles.
Zachary Mainen, coordinator of the Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, receives €2.3M ERC grant to study serotonin's function in the brain and its impact on behaviours such as eating and sleeping. The grant aims to develop novel tools for making definitive tests of serotonin function.
Elena Baena-González will investigate how plants respond to stress and allocate energy stores, aiming to improve crop yields. Her research focuses on the SnRK1 protein, which is conserved across species, including mammals.
European consortium identifies Hox genes as key regulators of vertebral development, controlling both type and number. Cdx genes also play a crucial role in embryo growth, with Hox activation compensating for Cdx deficiency.
Rui Costa's team will study the neural mechanisms underlying goal-directed and habit-based decisions using cutting-edge techniques.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia discover that an enzyme called heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protects mice from developing severe forms of malaria. An anti-oxidant drug, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), has the same effect on Plasmodium-infected mice.
Research reveals that bacteria's survival rate increases when resistant to two antibiotics, contrary to expected outcomes. This discovery highlights the importance of understanding genetic interactions in determining antibiotic resistance.
IGC scientists, led by Lars Jansen, discover protein CENP-N that triggers centromere assembly, providing new insights into accurate cell division. The discovery earns an EMBO installation grant and a paper in Nature Cell Biology.
Researchers at Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência discover mechanism to silence transposable elements in sperm cells, preventing harmful mutations. The technique, developed by Jörg Becker's team, uses small interfering RNA to target and silence these DNA elements.
Portuguese scientists identify Slimb molecule controlling centrosome number in cells, associated with disease and cancer. Understanding this mechanism offers new avenues for researching tumour development.
Researchers recreated natural selection in real-time, demonstrating the first quantitative evidence for natural selection on standing genetic variation. The study found that only half of gene frequencies reverted to ancestral levels, highlighting the contingent nature of evolution.
The worm Caenhorabditis elegans becomes resistant to pesticide Levamisole in 20 generations, adapting its population in just 80 days. This resistance allows the worms to survive and reproduce despite the pesticide's effects on mobility and fertility.
Researchers have identified a key signaling pathway, Notch, that stimulates endothelial cells to form new blood vessels in wounds. This discovery has significant implications for treating chronic skin wounds in diabetic patients and those with morbid obesity.