Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a mathematical framework to understand how neurons in the retina encode visual information. The study reveals that only information about pairs of temporal stimulus patterns is relayed to the brain, with higher-order combinations being less important than previously thought.
Researchers deciphered a molecular code that regulates brain channel protein activity, modulating neuronal excitability. SNX27 distinguishes GIRK channels from similar proteins, targeting them for destruction and affecting substance abuse behaviors.
Scientists at Salk Institute successfully generated induced pluripotent stem cells from patients with Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare disorder that accelerates aging. The cells displayed signs of vascular aging and were differentiated into smooth muscle cells that showed premature aging phenotypes.
Researchers aim to replicate Parkinson's disease in lab cells and investigate inflammation to find new therapies. Led by Fred H. Gage, the team will use human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients to study neurodegeneration.
Scientists found reprogramming errors in iPS cells, including a common defect near telomeres and centromeres. These hotspots resist non-CG methylation, but CG islands are affected, potentially limiting the fate of iPS cells.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that plants and animals employ similar mechanisms to process hormone signals, relying on tyrosine phosphorylation. This finding highlights the convergent evolution of signaling systems across kingdoms.
Researchers found that nestin recruits cdk5 to the muscle membrane, initiating dispersion and regulating neuromuscular junction formation. The study sheds light on signaling mechanisms connecting brain to muscle and may aid future treatments for neuromuscular diseases.
Glioblastoma cells can transform into blood vessel cells when oxygen is scarce, making treatment efforts less effective. This transformation allows the tumor cells to continue receiving nutrients and oxygen, leading to a resurgence of cancer growth.
Researchers found that presenilin helps guide embryonic motor neurons through a maze of chemical cues, ensuring they reach their targets. Without it, motor neurons misread guidance signals and get stuck in the spinal cord.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that slowing mitochondrial function in specific cells can extend the lifespan of an entire organism. The key finding is that a unique signal emanating from damaged mitochondria in nerve or gut cells extends lifespan, while disrupting this signal has no effect.
Scientists found that AMPK, a metabolic master switch, triggers autophagy by activating the enzyme ATG1. This process helps cells recycle debris and survive starvation better, which is significant for aging-related diseases like type II diabetes and Parkinson's disease.
Researchers discovered a genetic link between the gene CRTC3 and obesity. Mice lacking the gene were protected from weight gain on high-fat diets, suggesting that increased brown fat cells may control obesity. Human studies also found a higher incidence of obesity in individuals with an active version of the gene.
A synthetic derivative of turmeric has been found to be highly neuroprotective against ischemic stroke and traumatic brain injury in animal models. The compound, CNB-001, improved behavioral and molecular deficits in both conditions, offering potential clinical promise for current treatment-limited diseases.
Researchers found that p53 mutations can allow cancer cells to acquire stem cell-like characteristics, leading to increased tumor heterogeneity and aggressiveness. The study suggests that p53 plays a critical role in preventing the emergence of more aggressive cancer cells.
Researchers discovered that melanopsin-expressing retinal ganglion cells contribute to conventional image-forming vision, particularly brightness perception. This finding suggests these cells could support vision in people with advanced retinal degeneration.
The Salk Institute created the Renato Dulbecco Chair in Genomics and Roger Guillemin Chair in Neuroscience, honoring their groundbreaking research contributions. The $6 million gift from Irwin Jacobs will pay tribute to Drs. Dulbecco and Guillemin's leadership and innovation.
Researchers found that a mutation in the MeCP2 gene leads to the mobilization of L1 retrotransposons in brain cells, reshuffling their genomes and possibly contributing to the symptoms of Rett syndrome. This discovery sheds light on the complexity of molecular events underlying psychiatric disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that fisetin slows the onset of motor problems and delays death in three models of Huntington's disease. The study suggests that fisetin may be able to slow down the progression of the disease in humans, improving quality of life for those affected.
Scientists successfully replicated autism in the lab using human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells derived from patients with Rett syndrome. The study revealed disease-specific cellular defects, such as reduced functional connections between neurons, which are reversible through insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) treatment.
Stem cells can sense a decrease in available nutrients and respond by retaining only a small pool of active stem cells for tissue maintenance. Upon re-feeding, insulin-like peptide expression and stem cell numbers recover quickly.
Researchers found a previously unknown link between two ion channels that can cause symptoms in MS patients. The sodium and leak current channels play a crucial role in signal transmission, and manipulating their balance may lead to new therapeutic opportunities.
Researchers at the Salk Institute mapped the neuronal circuitry connecting photoreceptors with retinal ganglion cells, revealing computations in individual neurons and shedding light on the neural code used by the retina. The study aimed to improve retinal implants and understand visual processing.
As human cells age, their telomeres shorten, triggering massive changes in the way DNA is packaged, known as chromatin. This leads to epigenetic changes that affect gene expression and contribute to aging. Researchers have identified histone proteins as key players in this process.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover a novel mechanism by which adenovirus disables p53 in infected cells, paving the way for targeted cancer therapies. The study reveals two key proteins, E1B-55K and E4-ORF3, that work together to neutralize p53's tumor suppressor function.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that individuals with Williams syndrome process spoken language differently from those with autism spectrum disorders, which has opposite social profiles. People with Williams syndrome exhibit an abnormally large N400 response indicating sensitivity to semantic aspects of language.
A global collaboration found that Volvox and Chlamydomonas algae share a common list of protein parts, suggesting limited innovation in the transition to multicellularity. Key discoveries include increased ECM proteins, cyclin D proteins, and novel gene functions.
Researchers have identified a key molecular guard that prevents brain stem cells from proliferating, protecting the brain against excessive cell division. This study highlights the importance of bone morphogenetic factor protein (BMP) signaling for maintaining neural stem cells throughout adulthood.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Duke University have identified a new gene, HEMERA, that plays a crucial role in the chain of molecular events enabling light signals to control gene activity in plants. The discovery sheds light on how plants respond to light and could lead to breakthroughs in agricultural yields and weed management.
Researchers identified two distinct mechanisms for nuclear pore complex assembly during interphase and post-mitotic stages, shedding light on cell cycle-dependent differences in nuclear membrane topology. The findings have implications for conditions such as cancer, developmental defects, and sudden cardiac arrest.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that genetic region determining sex in green alga Volvox carteri has changed dramatically relative to its unicellular cousin Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. The team discovered new genes added to the expanded mating locus, which control male/female reproductive cell development.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that direct interactions between amino acids and nucleotide triplet anticodons helped establish matching pairs, leading to the modern genetic code. The study provides the first in vivo data shedding light on the origin and evolution of the genetic code.
Researchers developed a realistic computer model of spiny stellate cells, finding that only 30 synapses out of 6,000 firing simultaneously create reliable signaling. This contradicts the widely accepted view that neurons communicate through volleys of electrical spikes.
Researchers identify zebrafish heart cell population that regenerates cardiac muscle cells, challenging traditional view of stem cells in regeneration. Human hearts cannot replicate this process, but finding could provide insight into hibernating mammalian cardiomyocytes and potential regeneration strategies.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discover two genetic master switches that determine a plant's polar axis, with one group promoting root development and the other shoot growth. The study reveals an antagonistic relationship between these switches, which are regulated by multiple mechanisms to ensure proper spatial distribution.
Salk Institute researchers develop a 'humanized' mouse model susceptible to human liver infections and responding to human drug treatments. The model allows for testing of novel therapies for liver diseases like Hepatitis B and C, as well as malaria.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that nucleoporins, proteins in nuclear pore complexes, act as transcription factors regulating genes during early development. They also offer new insights into cancer mechanisms and potential markers for causes of cancer.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered that corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) plays a part in the pancreas, increasing insulin secretion and promoting beta cell division. This finding may provide new insights into diabetes, particularly type 1, and suggest novel targets for drug intervention.
Researchers at Salk Institute identify viral protein ICP0 that shuts down host cell's DNA damage response, enabling HSV to infect cells. By removing specific ubiquitin marks, ICP0 allows the virus to take over and multiply.
Researchers found that macrophages along the blood-brain barrier can either activate the brain's stress response machinery or prevent excessive inflammation. This discovery may pave the way for novel therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers at the Salk Institute discovered that CtIP plays a crucial role in converting DNA damage signals into repair responses. By understanding how CtIP works, scientists hope to develop new cancer treatments and uncover the secrets of DNA repair.
A recent study by researchers at the Salk Institute found that the superior colliculus plays a key role in controlling attention, particularly in covert attention. This discovery may shed light on neurological disorders such as neglect syndrome and autism.
Researchers at the Salk Institute found that slowing aging in mice with Alzheimer's-like symptoms prevented brain damage and impaired cognitive function. The study suggests that modulating the IGF-1 signaling pathway can have a protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.
A study published in PNAS reveals that food intake plays a crucial role in regulating liver gene expression, rather than the body's circadian clock. The findings suggest that consistent feeding schedules can have a significant impact on metabolism and may help explain why shift workers are more prone to metabolic syndrome.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover essential cellular pathway in zebrafish that enables limb regeneration by activating genes required to build a copy of the lost limb. Histone demethylation switches cells from inactive to active state, turning on genes needed for regeneration.
A team of researchers led by Salk Institute scientist Sam Pfaff aims to develop a novel stem-cell derived therapy for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). The project focuses on growing clinical-grade astrocyte precursor cells and testing their efficacy and safety.
The study reveals a conserved phosphorylation site in CRY1 that allows nutrients to directly alter the rhythm of peripheral clocks. Genetic inactivation of AMPK blocks these effects, confirming that cryptochromes act as energy sensors for circadian clocks.
Researchers at the Salk Institute provide the first detailed map of the human epigenome, which regulates gene function beyond DNA sequence. The study reveals a novel DNA methylation pattern unique to stem cells, influencing their pluripotent state and disease development.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover critical period during which Lhx2 decides progenitors' regional identity, determining the development of distinct cortical regions. This knowledge may help understand neurodegenerative disorders and specify stem cells to repair brain damage.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have successfully reprogrammed umbilical cord blood cells to function like embryonic stem cells, creating a potential source for patient-specific stem cells. The new method reduces the need for expensive and time-consuming genetic modifications, making it a safer alternative for clinical applications.
Studies at the Salk Institute found that attention reduces background activity, increasing neural signal fidelity by a factor of up to four times. This reduction in noise accounts for approximately 80% of the improvement in perceptual discrimination when focusing on sensory stimuli.