Researchers at MDI Bio Lab studied zebrafish, which can form new nephrons and connect them to existing tubules. The team found a coordinated cellular choreography that involves intersecting signaling systems, including the Wnt pathway, to guide the connection. This technique could one day guide human repair of damaged kidneys.
Researchers have created a new comparative model that accelerates muscle loss in zebrafish, allowing for the study of sarcopenia and potential therapies. The 'atrofish' model reveals early structural vulnerabilities in aging muscle and a surprising link between muscle loss and nerve degeneration.
Researchers used the African turquoise killifish as a rapid-aging model to study kidney decline. The study revealed that sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibition improves age-dependent kidney microvascular rarefaction, protecting against aging-related damage.
Researchers identify heparanase 2 as a critical molecule in maintaining blood vessels' integrity. The study found that Hpa2 blocks growth-factor signaling, restoring balance without adverse side effects.
A novel compound ML233 inhibits melanin production with no significant toxic side effects, offering a potential new strategy for treating pigment-related skin conditions. The study demonstrates promising results in reducing melanin synthesis and proliferation of melanoma cells.
A school-based citizen science program collects well water samples for analysis, revealing alarming levels of arsenic in private water sources. The initiative boosts awareness and drives action to protect public health, leading to increased testing rates and policy changes.
Researchers have identified a new gene, NUCL-1, in the transparent roundworm C. elegans, which is linked to human neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and Alzheimer's. The discovery challenges recent theories on the role of nuclear structures in these disorders.
New tools for working with axolotls, developed by Prayag Murawala, hold promise for treating traumatic injury and disease. The axolotl's ability to regenerate tissues and organs could lead to new insights into human health.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory discovered that age-related chronic inflammation is caused by disruption of chromatin architecture. This leads to misexpression of genes lacking CpG islands, resulting in inflammation and loss of cellular function. The findings provide a unifying theory for the age-related degenerative diseases.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has been awarded a grant to promote cloud computing among researchers in Maine, aiming to level the playing field by providing access to sophisticated computing resources. The program will provide training on Google Cloud Platform and assist institutions in implementing cloud computing services.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory discovered that muscle tissue is protected from reduced protein synthesis during nutrient scarcity, accelerating growth and reproduction. The study suggests potential for developing anti-aging drugs preserving muscle tissue while prolonging lifespan.
A recent study by James Godwin, Ph.D. has identified the liver as a primary reservoir for pro-regenerative macrophages essential to limb regeneration in axolotls. The research paves the way for regenerative medicine therapies in humans, potentially treating diseases like heart and lung disease with scar-free healing.
Researchers discovered differences in molecular signaling that promote regeneration in axolotls, while blocking it in adult mice. This finding brings science closer to developing regenerative medicine therapies for humans.
A team led by Iain Drummond, Ph.D. has identified the signaling mechanisms underlying podocyte formation, a crucial process in kidney function. The discovery could lead to new therapies to stimulate regeneration of these cells, vital for ridding the body of toxins and treating conditions like chronic kidney disease.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will collaborate with the Maine CDC to test 500 wells from student households in Maine, focusing on arsenic mitigation and data literacy. The grant aims to reduce environmental health hazards and develop tools for effective program evaluation.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a grant to develop artificial kidney tissue to replace human kidney tissue lost due to disease or injury. The project aims to create a three-dimensional mini-organ called an organoid that can be transplanted into a host and potentially scaled to create an artificial human kidney.
Researchers aim to determine if cellular mechanisms responsible for regenerating tendons in axolotls also apply to human tendon injuries. The study will explore the role of fibroblasts and extracellular matrix in tendon healing.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory have discovered the role of Klf9 in regulating the physiological response to cortisol, a hormone secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stress. The study sheds light on the mechanisms behind chronic stress-induced inflammation and its contribution to age-related diseases.
A new imaging technique, DEEP-Clear, developed by MDI Biological Laboratory scientist Prayag Murawala enables unprecedented insight into subcellular structures and tissues. The method expands the range of animal models that can be studied, processes that can be explored, and biological questions that can be addressed.
A new program analyzing Maine and New Hampshire well water samples found that 25% exceed the New Hampshire maximum safety level of 5 ppb, while 62% of homeowners haven't had their water tested. The results highlight the need for improved testing and mitigation strategies to protect residents from arsenic-related health risks.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will use the African turquoise killifish, a vertebrate with a short lifespan of four to six months, to study aging and its relation to regeneration. This model shares symptoms of aging with humans, including loss of muscle mass and decline in immune function.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory identify two major pathways governing aging in C. elegans, which when combined, amplify lifespan fivefold. This discovery could lead to the development of combination therapies to extend human healthy lifespan.
The MDI Biological Laboratory is expanding its SEPA program to assess seasonal variations of arsenic in well water. The program aims to improve public health and stimulate interest in STEM fields among secondary school students through citizen science engagement.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory have identified post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms governing longevity, which will aid in screening for new therapies. The study uses C. elegans worms and dietary restriction to understand the genetic complexity of aging.
Aric Rogers' research on cellular and molecular mechanisms governing aging aims to develop new therapies for sarcopenia and age-related diseases. The grant will support further research on the genetic pathways that regulate dietary restriction, which has shown to extend healthy lifespan in various organisms.
Coffman's research will investigate the role of Klf9 in regulating stress response system using zebrafish as a model, with implications for understanding chronic disease and developing novel therapies. The grant aims to elucidate pathways governing stress response and create tools for future research.
The Maine INBRE program has received a $18 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to strengthen biomedical research and research training in Maine. The program provides opportunities for undergraduate students and young faculty members to gain research experience and skills, leading to advancements in hum...
Vicki P. Losick has been awarded the first-ever William Procter Scientific Innovation Fund to study age-related macular degeneration (AMD) using a fruit fly model. The goal is to identify genetic strategies to treat AMD by understanding the role of polyploidy in human retinal diseases.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a five-year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to promote data literacy among high school students and teachers. The project aims to address the contamination of well water in Maine and New Hampshire with arsenic, which can lead to severe health problems.
Researchers discovered long noncoding RNAs play a key role in regulating genetic circuits responsible for regeneration in highly regenerative animals. The discovery may lead to the development of drugs to trigger humans' dormant pathways for regeneration.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has established the Morris Scientific Discovery Fund, providing up to $250,000 per year for eligible research programs. This fund aims to foster short-term pilot project support for research that demonstrates federal funding potential.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a five-year, $12 million NIH Center of Biomedical Research Excellence (COBRE) grant to support its regenerative biology research. The funding will accelerate efforts to develop new drugs for tissue regeneration and extend healthy lifespan.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has developed a new mobile phone app to help community organizations track and analyze crowd-sourced environmental data. The app, based on the Anecdata.org portal, allows citizen scientists to log data in the field and make it quick and easy to receive notifications and share observations.
Research identifies common molecular mechanism underlying diabetes-induced nerve damage, paving way for potential drug candidates. The study found that reactive oxygen species play a key role in the process and that pharmacological inhibition of ROS can prevent nerve damage.
Aric Rogers' research discovered that NMD plays a critical role in extending lifespan under dietary restriction conditions. The grant will help expedite the development of 'DR mimetics,' drugs that mimic the effects of DR on longevity, potentially leading to new therapies.
A new study by James Godwin found that macrophages are essential for heart regeneration in salamanders, suggesting a potential solution to the human disease. The research has significant implications for regenerative medicine and may lead to the development of drug therapies to promote scar-free healing.
MSI-1436 has shown promise in adult zebrafish and mice by regenerating damaged heart muscle and improving heart function; a two-year grant will test its effectiveness in pigs to move the drug into clinical trials.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory studied various parameters of health in C. elegans to develop an empirical definition of old age and predict healthy lifespan. They found movement speed as a key marker for assessing the effect of anti-aging interventions.
Sandra Rieger, Ph.D., will investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying peripheral neuropathy caused by Taxol (paclitaxel) and explore potential treatments using MMP-inhibiting compounds. The grant aims to develop new drug therapies for this debilitating condition affecting millions of Americans.
MDI Biological Laboratory scientists have identified a potential heart drug candidate to restore heart muscle function following a heart attack. In a breakthrough study, MSI-1436 showed significant regeneration in zebrafish and mice, with promising results in adult mice after an artificially induced heart attack.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory identified a molecular mechanism governing the life-prolonging effects of dietary restriction, a process that occurs in all tested animals. The study raises hope for therapies that prolong healthy years without extreme diet restrictions.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory found that early-life stress increases adult vulnerability to diseases like arthritis, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and mental illness. Chronic exposure to cortisol in zebrafish embryos leads to abnormal immune systems and signs of chronic inflammation.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a $456,500 NIH grant to study chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Sandra Rieger's research will focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and its potential applications for other sensory neuropathies.
Researchers at MDI Biological Laboratory decipher genetic code controlling limb regeneration in zebrafish, axolotl, and bichir, revealing common genetic regulators. The discovery may lead to new therapies for wound healing and prosthetic device development, but a timeline for regrowing limbs remains uncertain due to funding constraints.
The MDI Biological Laboratory will host a lecture series on the science of aging, featuring leaders in the field who will discuss life-extending treatments and cellular recycling processes. The lectures will explore how these advances may lead to therapies that prolong healthy lifespan and address age-related diseases.
The Environmental Genomics course explores the relationship between genetics and environment, focusing on phenotypic plasticity in organisms like Daphnia pulex. The course aims to provide training in experimental approaches and computational models for studying the effects of environmental challenges on genetics.
The MDI Biological Laboratory is launching a new signature course on aging research, bringing together experts to study the molecular mechanisms of aging across various species. The course will focus on current paradigms of aging research and emphasize the advantages of using animal models to study human aging.
Researchers found that sea urchins with shorter life expectancies do not experience a decline in regenerative capacity with age, contradicting the prevailing theory on evolution of aging. The study suggests that aging may not be inevitable and could be influenced by other factors.
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism for wound healing called wound-induced polyploidy (WIP), which maintains tissue size and function by enlarging existing cells rather than dividing new ones. This discovery has significant therapeutic potential for treating various human diseases.
The MDI Biological Laboratory has received a $20,000 grant from the Glenn Foundation For Medical Research to support a two-week research training course on aging biology. The course will use four animal models to study molecular pathways and explore evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of aging.