Researchers have developed a nondestructive imaging technique to measure single-cell immune metabolism in real patient blood samples, providing a higher level of information than current clinical techniques. This breakthrough could improve disease diagnosis and treatment for conditions like blood cancers, lupus, and sepsis.
Eric Perreault, a renowned research executive and academic leader, will lead the Morgridge Institute for Research, a biomedical research organization affiliated with the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The institute focuses on improving human health through cross-disciplinary research and collaborations.
A new study develops methods for clinicians to assess patient risk and builds an understanding of HFpEF's mechanisms, which could lead to new treatments. Researchers found potential mechanistic and molecular changes contributing to the condition.
A Wisconsin lab advance has developed a way to remove liquid chromatography from peptide mapping, an essential test for determining a candidate drug's stability. This technique accelerates the process by 100-fold, allowing companies to analyze massive data influx instantly and reducing costs.
Researchers developed FLIM Playground to streamline FLIM data analysis, extracting lifetime information from cells and visualizing patterns. The platform reduces the need for multiple software tools and quality checks, increasing efficiency and reproducibility.
The science community must rethink how it engages society in scientific discovery, controversy, and policy. A new 'collaboration model' is needed to create a level playing field for input, embrace uncertainty, and invite more public conversations.
An international team of astronomers trained a neural network with millions of synthetic simulations and artificial intelligence to tease out new cosmic curiosities about the black hole at the center of our Milky Way. The researchers suspect that the black hole is spinning at nearly top speed, its rotation axis pointing towards the Earth.
Researchers have successfully developed lab-grown pig retinal organoids, which shared similarities with human retinal organoids. The study offers a promising approach to combatting retinal disease by testing 'human-equivalent' photoreceptors in pigs.
Researchers at Wisconsin National Primate Research Center and Morgridge Institute for Research have developed a universal, small-diameter vascular graft using stem cell-derived arterial endothelial cells. The graft overcomes limitations of current clinical options, which include invasive procedures and limited donor availability.
Researchers used optical metabolic imaging to study the effects of Toxoplasma gondii infection on host cells. They found that infected cells became more oxidized and had changes in glucose and lactate levels, highlighting the parasite's impact on metabolism.
In planarian flatworms, biogenic monoamines play a critical role in regulating female and male germ cells. Researchers discovered that these molecules form a novel signaling pathway controlling planarian germ cells, producing the 'BATT Signal' to regulate reproductive development. The study highlights the importance of monoamine conjug...
A new study has created a comprehensive map of the human proteome, identifying over 1 million peptides from 17,717 different protein groups. The researchers also found that most alternative splicing detected at the RNA stage is also present in the proteins, validating long-held ideas about this process.
Researchers have shed new light on viral genome replication machinery, revealing its intricate structure at atomic resolution. The study, published in PNAS, provides essential insights into the assembly, dynamic operation, and potential therapeutic targets of this complex machine.
A high-quality Nile rat genome sequence has been assembled, expanding its potential as a model organism for studying type 2 diabetes and disorders associated with disrupted circadian rhythms. The genome's long contigs and completeness make it suitable for investigating the genetic factors contributing to disease, including epigenetics.
Researchers used optical imaging to study the metabolic interactions between pancreatic cancer cells and surrounding non-cancer cells. They found that cancer cells can hijack the metabolic activity of these non-cancer cells to fuel tumor growth. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting the tumor microenvironment.
A new imaging technique developed by the Skala Lab can predict the efficiency of cardiomyocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells, providing a non-invasive quality control method. The technique uses autofluorescence to measure metabolic activity and has been shown to be accurate in predicting outcome with high consistency.
The National Institutes of Health's HEALthy Brain and Child Development study aims to identify the impacts of prenatal substance exposure on child development. A 50-state analysis of laws addressing substance use during pregnancy highlights diverse state-by-state policies, with some statutes being more punitive than others.
A new study reveals that macrophages play a complex role in cancer spread, with two types - M1 and M2 - exhibiting different behaviors. The research uses advanced technologies to identify a distinct population of macrophage cells that migrate towards cancer cells, promoting tumor growth.
The Partnership to Advance Throughput Computing (PATh) aims to advance distributed high-throughput computing technologies and extend adoption among researchers and educators. Researchers from top institutions will collaborate on the project, focusing on automation and leveraging massive networks of computers.
A study published in Cell Systems identified 219 molecules that strongly correlate with COVID-19 severity. The analysis revealed a unique network of molecules influencing blood coagulation, inflammation, and vessel damage. Researchers hope this discovery will lead to the development of targeted therapeutics to alleviate disease.
A $22.7 million NIH grant will create a national research hub at UW-Madison, providing access to cutting-edge cryo-EM and cryo-ET technologies for scientists across the US. The center aims to train a new workforce and improve these imaging techniques, which hold potential for breakthroughs in medicine and life sciences.
A new study describes a novel label-free imaging technique that can differentiate active T cells from those in a quiescent state. The method, which uses autofluorescence detection, is non-damaging and doesn't alter the behavior of the cell, offering advantages over traditional antibody-based methods.
Researchers discovered a mechanism by which schistosomes, parasitic worms infecting over 200 million people, evade the host's immune system. The parasite's esophageal gland mediates this protection, allowing it to survive and feed without being destroyed by immune cells.
Scientists have generated near atomic resolution images of a viral protein complex responsible for replicating the RNA genome of positive-strand RNA viruses. The results provide mechanistic insights into the virus life cycle and aid development of new antivirals.
Researchers are designing a toilet that can analyze urine for biomarkers of various human conditions, such as cancer and diabetes. The technology has the potential to provide early warning systems for viral or bacterial outbreaks and track medication effectiveness in older adults.
Cell culture media has remained relatively unchanged for over 70 years, but Jason Cantor is developing 'physiologic media' that closely mimics real biological conditions. This allows researchers to study cell behavior in a more accurate and relevant way, potentially revealing fundamental insights into human diseases such as blood cancer.
Researchers have isolated a potent chemical, 'schistosome paralysis factor', that can immobilize cercariae and prevent infection. This discovery could lead to new treatments for schistosomiasis, which causes devastating health problems in Africa, Asia, and parts of South America.
Researchers create a 'clock in a dish' to study human developmental timing, replicating a genetic mutation linked to spondylocostal dysotosis. This breakthrough provides insight into the hard-wired timing within cells and may accelerate cell development for clinical benefit.
Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research have successfully grown smooth muscle cells from pluripotent stem cells using a novel growth factor called RepSox. This breakthrough reduces the risk of intimal hyperplasia, a common cause of graft failure in bypass surgery.
A portable scientific microscope nicknamed Flamingo will make its way from Madison to Boston for collaboration and research. The project aims to democratize expensive high-end microscopy, bringing it cost-free to campuses and labs where access may be scarce.
Researchers are using laser marking systems and light sheet microscopy to track individual cells in zebrafish development, aiming to create a complete cellular blueprint. The project has the potential to revolutionize regenerative biology by precisely defining cell roles in complex organisms.
Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research identified key stem cells governing the complex life cycle of Schistosoma. A gene associated with germline development was also found, providing potential targets for prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis, a deadly neglected tropical disease affecting hundreds of millions.
Researchers have identified specific lipid species in the blood and liver that correlate with healthy or fatty liver states. These findings suggest that measuring individual lipid species may provide a more accurate diagnosis of metabolic diseases such as NAFLD, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
The Flamingo project provides a portable and shareable light sheet microscope, addressing the challenges of accessing high-powered microscopy technologies. Labs can configure experiments remotely and mail the device to other labs for use, at no cost to users.
A bioinformatics professor and his colleague used GitHub as their writing platform to collaborate on a paper about deep learning in biology and medicine. The paper has been massively rewritten and revised by online collaborators, resulting in over 40 co-authors.
Researchers at Morgridge Institute for Research discovered a crucial enzyme called ERO1 that promotes cytoplasmic viral replication by bridging membrane barriers. This finding opens up a new target for broad-spectrum antivirals targeting positive-strand RNA viruses.
A new stem cell method creates human arterial endothelial cells from cord blood and adult bone marrow, revealing two distinct states: healthy and compromised. The compromised state is linked to arteriosclerosis and can be used to study a major risk factor for heart disease.
Scientists have made significant progress in understanding how Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is produced and functioned within cells. Research published in Cell Systems, Molecular Cell, and Cell Chemical Biology reveals new clues to CoQ biosynthesis and function.
Experts discuss the potential risks and benefits of gene editing, including its applications in human health, agriculture, and the environment. The discussion highlights the need for harmonized policies across national borders to address concerns about misuse and unintended consequences.
Researchers have successfully produced functional arterial cells using new techniques, exhibiting key functions required by the body. Mice treated with these cells showed an 83% survival rate, compared to 33% for controls, and demonstrated improved artery formation and survival.
Researchers Melissa Skala and Matthew Vander Heiden won a $250,000 award to study the interaction between tumor cells and healthy supporting cells in pancreatic cancer. The project aims to create molecular changes that shut down the tumor's ability to scavenge nutrients, potentially leading to a new type of metabolic cancer therapy.
KinderMiner, a Morgridge Institute for Research team's algorithm, scans Europe PubMed Central and provides ranked associations for select target terms and key phrases. The tool identifies relevant transcription factors in top 20 hits, significantly speeding up scientific process.
A recent study published in Developmental Biology reveals that stem cells adhere strictly to their unique species' developmental clocks. The research paves the way for accelerated stem cell differentiation and faster cell growth, potentially solving various diseases such as Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis, and Alzheimer's.
A new project funded by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute aims to create tissue-engineered arteries that can be used for transplant surgery. The researchers are working on creating cells that can grow into arterial tissue, which could overcome current limitations of blood vessel transplantation.
Researchers studied axolotl embryos and found unusual bursts in gene expression that could aid understanding of limb regeneration. This knowledge may lead to new insights into human regenerative medicine and the development of therapies.
Scientists have identified functions for three previously unknown mitochondrial proteins, shedding light on complex I deficiencies and coenzyme Q production. The discoveries may lead to therapies for inborn errors of metabolism and other diseases associated with mitochondria.
A team of researchers led by Andreas Velten is working on a camera technology that uses scattered-light photons to capture scenes outside human line of sight. The project aims to push the limitations of this technique over four years, with potential applications in medical imaging, disaster relief, and space exploration.
The Software Assurance Marketplace (SWAMP) partnership between Morgridge Institute for Research and Bowie State University integrates cybersecurity into undergraduate coding courses. This integration helps students develop prolific programming skills, including reading and interpreting code for errors. The program aims to address the h...
Biologist Anthony Gitter is using a $900,000 NSF CAREER award to develop new methods for analyzing complex biological data. He hopes to create more accurate models of gene and protein interactions by mapping out dynamic processes like the immune response.
Pagliarini's lab focuses on understanding mitochondrial function and its link to human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson's. His team is working to define the function of hundreds of 'orphan' proteins used by mitochondria.