Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have developed a search engine, Malva, to analyze single-cell RNA data, enabling rapid analysis of millions of cells worldwide. Malva simplifies the task of wading through data from thousands of experiments and provides insights into RNA biology, cancer, and disease mechanisms.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center used proteomics and AI to identify a seven-protein signature in blood plasma that reliably indicates vasculitis remission. This biomarker could enable precise treatment with fewer side effects, improving patient outcomes.
Researchers found that most temperature-sensitive nerve cells are activated by cooling, and their activity reduces with warming. This finding challenges the long-standing view of temperature sensing and could guide future research into pain and sensory disorders.
Researchers have discovered that naked mole-rat queens release a volatile compound called isopropyl myristate, which induces temporary infertility in other females and prevents rivalry within colonies. This scent also increases levels of prolactin, reducing fertility, while keeping progesterone levels low.
A study found that oxalic acid, a natural metabolic by-product, promotes inflammatory processes and contributes to cardiovascular disease in people with chronic kidney disease. Elevated levels of oxalate were detected in patients with primary hyperoxaluria and showed a link to IL-17A-mediated inflammation and cardiorenal organ damage.
Researchers found that a daily spermidine supplement improved immune response to COVID-19 vaccination in older adults. Spermidine reduced markers of immunosenescence and stimulated autophagy, leading to higher antibody levels and better neutralizing activity against multiple viral variants.
Researchers at Max Delbrück Center uncover a previously unknown genetic mechanism regulating RBM20 protein in heart cells. The discovery reveals multiple transcription start sites for the gene and highlights the importance of isoform balance in disease progression.
Researchers at Max Delbrück Center have found a way to improve CAR-T cancer therapy by engineering cells to express the receptor CCR7. This allows CAR-T cells to penetrate lymph nodes more efficiently and kill cancer cells quickly.
Macrophages are among the earliest responders to heart injury, activating an inflammatory program that helps kickstart regeneration. The researchers found that dampening this response specifically in macrophages promotes blood vessel growth and heart muscle cell proliferation, both essential for regeneration.
Researchers identified a unique metabolic fingerprint in the hearts of patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) and obesity. The study reveals disrupted glucose metabolism and accumulated metabolic products, which are linked to structural changes in the heart and disease severity.
Dr. Karina Yaniv has been appointed as the new Scientific Director of Systemic AngioCardioScience at the Helmholtz Institute for Translational AngioCardioScience (HI-TAC). She aims to expand her research with a focus on translation into clinical applications, and build a bridge between basic and translational cardiovascular research.
Researchers have created a high-resolution molecular map of specific sensory neurons that trigger pain, revealing two subtypes of nociceptors with distinct functional components. The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of chronic inflammatory pain and identifies potential new drug targets using Deep Visual Proteomics.
Researchers find that rare stromal cells are responsible for maintaining immune cell organization in healthy lymph nodes. However, in aggressive lymphomas, this process breaks down due to a self-reinforcing inflammatory cycle, leading to tissue collapse and poorer outcomes.
Researchers found that a bacterial metabolite regulates heart function through specific brain cells, revealing a new gut-brain-heart axis. This discovery points to potential therapies for hypertension and heart failure, and may serve as a biomarker for identifying patients at high risk.
A study published in Molecular Psychiatry reveals that kinases MNK1 and MNK2 have distinct functions in the brain, regulating different behaviors such as social contacts and object recognition. The findings suggest that targeting each kinase individually may be more effective for treating neurological disorders.
Researchers have developed a lightweight antenna that improves signal strength and image sharpness in MRI scans, particularly for deep or delicate tissues like the eye and brain. The technology has the potential to transform diagnostics by reducing scan times and increasing accuracy.
Researchers develop CAR T cell therapy that recognizes BCMA and BAFF-R proteins, providing a new approach to treating multiple myeloma. The treatment has shown promise in preclinical trials, with the potential to prevent relapse and extend lifespan.
Researchers found autophagy plays a major role in ensuring T stem cells undergo normal cell division. Boosting autophagy could enhance memory T cell generation and improve long-term immunity.
A team of researchers has captured the process of synaptic vesicle fusion with neurotransmitters, revealing a direct form of vesicle recruitment that enables neurons to send signals over longer periods. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies for synaptic disorders and improve our understanding of brain function.
Researchers have discovered how ancient viral DNA influences placenta development and pre-eclampsia, a life-threatening pregnancy disorder. The study identified a gene, EPS8L1, that is overexpressed in placentas from women with pre-eclampsia, providing potential biomarker for early detection.
A potential new drug called RBM20-ASO has been shown to improve cardiac function in a mouse model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The therapy reduces left ventricular stiffness and abnormal thickening of the heart muscle, even in the presence of comorbidities.
A £2 million Wellcome Discovery Award will fund a five-year project to study the molecular interaction between Plasmodium falciparum and the placenta. The research aims to catalogue disrupted molecular and cellular pathways that could be targeted for intervention, contributing to the development of diagnostics and vaccines.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have successfully used base editing to correct mutations that cause autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) in human and mouse cells. The technique shows promise in reducing liver cysts, a key symptom of the disease.
A new tool called Flexynesis uses deep neural networks to evaluate multi-modal data, enabling doctors to make better diagnoses and develop more precise treatment strategies for patients. The tool is designed to be flexible and accessible to non-experts, bridging the gap in precision cancer therapy.
Researchers have developed a method to discover how DNA controls genes, revealing the genetic 'switches' that regulate important genes. The TESLA-seq technique identifies regulatory regions more quickly and accurately than existing methods, linking them to over 70 genes in a specific region.
Neuroblastoma is often difficult to treat due to its ability to enter a dormant state when the MYCN gene is located outside chromosomes. A new study proposes targeting these dormant tumor cells with a combination of chemotherapy and a second drug, showing promising results in mouse models.
A team of researchers developed a technology that allows them to measure millions of cell-to-cell interactions quickly and affordably. The study shows that this approach can help predict how patients will respond to immunotherapies, laying the foundation for more personalized treatments.
A team of scientists has discovered molecular changes in children's immune systems that determine their response to oral immunotherapy for peanut allergy. Children who respond well have lower levels of inflammatory messengers, while those who don't show increased activation of certain genes.
A team of scientists has found that the ion channel PIEZO2 is crucial for coronary vessel formation and heart development. Without PIEZO2, coronary arteries may develop improperly, leading to oxygen supply issues in the heart muscle. This discovery could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects.
Scientists have created a vascularized organoid model of hormone-secreting cells in the pancreas, promising to improve diabetes research and cell-based therapies. The model, developed by Max Delbrück Center researchers, contains greater numbers of mature beta cells and secretes more insulin than non-vascularized counterparts.
Researchers mapped a lung tumor's cellular neighborhoods in 3D using single-cell spatial technologies, identifying 18 cell types and potential targets for personalized cancer therapy. The study reveals new insights into how tumor cells interact with their surroundings and how to reverse immune suppression mechanisms.
A study published in Nature Aging reveals that interleukin-12 (IL-12) plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer's disease progression, damaging mature oligodendrocytes and interneurons. By understanding this mechanism, researchers hope to develop new combination therapies.
A study published in Nature Cardiovascular Research identified distinct immune signatures in myocarditis caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and mRNA vaccines compared to non-COVID-19 myocarditis. The findings suggest a stronger immune response in post-COVID-19 myocarditis, while the inflammation appeared milder in post-vaccination cases.
A team of international researchers found that tumor cells become drastically diverse when exiting the bone marrow, affecting immune cells in the cancer lesions. This discovery could contribute to more precise diagnostics and therapy for multiple myeloma, a incurable bone marrow cancer.
Researchers have successfully developed a gene-editing approach using CRISPR-Cas9 to correct the genetic error causing dysferlin protein deficiency, a leading cause of muscular dystrophy. In new mouse models, they restored muscle function and regrowth after transplanting corrected cells.
Ana Pombo, a biochemist at the Max Delbruck Center, has been awarded the prestigious Leibniz Prize for her pioneering research on the three-dimensional structure of genomes. Her work aims to understand how environmental factors influence gene regulation and diseases like autism or epilepsy.
Max Delbrück Center researchers have uncovered new features of the molecular architecture of synaptic vesicles using cryo-electron tomography. The study reveals a persistent association between V-ATPase and synaptophysin, suggesting an important function in neurotransmission.
Researchers found a link between non-functional p53 genes and the regenerative cell state in ulcerative colitis, leading to cancer progression. A new diagnostic test could identify aberrant cells earlier using molecular tools.
Researchers have identified hundreds of genes and microproteins specific to human hearts, which are also abnormally expressed in heart failure. These findings provide new insights into cardiac disease and suggest potential targets for therapy.
Researchers found that microbial communities in mice influence immune cell populations, with adaptive cells more prominent in lower intestine and innate cells in upper segments. A tool has been created for studying interactions between gut microbes and inflammatory diseases.
Researchers have discovered a stable intermediate form of the serotonin-gated 5-HT3A receptor, which could serve as a new drug target for psychiatric and gastrointestinal disorders. The study provides insights into the synthesis and assembly of membrane proteins.
Researchers have elucidated how new arteries form in the heart using single-cell sequencing and 3D mapping. Pre-arterial cells play a major role in growing new arteries, contradicting current thinking about artery development. This discovery opens possibilities for developing treatments that stimulate regenerative pathways.
A study published in Nature Communications implicates the gene CHCHD2 in Huntington's disease progression and identifies it as a potential therapeutic target. The researchers found that mutations in the HTT gene affect CHCHD2, which is involved in maintaining mitochondrial function.
A Berlin-led research team has discovered that a small population of immune cells called innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) trigger severe kidney inflammation in patients with lupus. ILCs, which are present in the kidneys, amplify organ damage when activated by NKp46 receptors.
A team of researchers has identified the PIEZO2 protein as a critical mediator of sensory signals that maintain chronic pain. The study found that gain-of-function mutations in the PIEZO2 gene can mimic the effects of chronic pain in C-fibers, suggesting a new target for pain medication.
A deep metagenomic sequencing study in Berlin wastewater reveals common viruses like RSV and flu, seasonal visitors like asparagus-infecting viruses, and astroviruses with potential for gastrointestinal tract infections. The analysis also identifies novel enzymes with biotechnological potential, expanding our knowledge of viral diversity.
A platform called Open-ST enables scientists to reconstruct gene expression in cells within a tissue in three dimensions, capturing molecular and (sub)cellular structures. The platform was used to study cell types at subcellular resolution in tissues from mice brains, tumor tissue, and healthy lymph nodes, providing insights into cance...
Scientists have identified a crucial role of the newly discovered ion channel Elkin1 in converting mechanical stimuli into electrical signals, enabling normal touch sensation. The findings also suggest Elkin1 may play a part in transmitting painful mechanical stimuli, opening up new potential targets for chronic pain treatment.
Researchers have discovered that Schwann cells, previously thought to be solely responsible for protecting nerve fibers, also detect sensory stimuli such as touch, heat, and cold. The findings open new avenues for understanding and treating pain and impaired touch perception.
Scientists have created an algorithm to design synthetic DNA segments that indicate the state of cells in real-time. This tool will be used to screen for anti-cancer or viral infection drugs, as well as improve gene and cell-based immunotherapies.