Aging mice with a new type of diabetes have high levels of immune cells called T regulatory cells in their fat tissue, leading to insulin resistance. Blocking these cells may hold the key to treating this age-related form of diabetes.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a molecule called EphA2 that stifles aggressive growth of common and deadly type of lung cancer in humans. The enzyme normally polices tissue growth but when mutated, cellular systems can run amok, leading to tumors.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have found evidence of a dedicated neural pathway that transmits the itchy feeling triggered by light touch. The study sheds light on potential mechanisms of chronic itch and may help explain why some people are unresponsive to antihistamine drugs.
Researchers at the Salk Institute identified a strain of E. coli bacteria in mice capable of improving tolerance to infections by preventing muscle wasting. The bacteria activate the IGF-1 pathway in fat tissues, maintaining normal levels and preserving muscle mass during pathogenic infections.
Researchers discovered that bipolar patients' brain cells are more sensitive to stimuli, leading to differing responses to lithium. The study suggests a starting point for probing cellular differences and developing new treatments.
Plants have developed a unique mechanism to selectively degrade damaged chloroplasts, allowing them to conserve energy and thrive in challenging environments. This discovery could lead to the development of stronger crops with improved yield and resistance to stressors.
Researchers have identified ORF0 sequences in human and chimp DNA that may produce hundreds of previously unknown proteins. The discovery suggests a new mechanism for generating novel proteins, which could be beneficial or disease-causing, depending on the evolutionary context.
Researchers discovered that mutant GlyRS enzyme blocks molecular signals essential for maintaining motor neuron health, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness and decreased sensation. By amplifying the 'health' signal, they were able to reverse symptoms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease in mice.
Researchers have developed a new technique to create brain cells directly from skin samples, retaining age-related signatures. This breakthrough enables scientists to study the effects of aging on the brain without relying on animal models or stem cell reprogramming.
Salk scientists use ultrasonic waves to selectively activate brain, heart, muscle and other cells, offering an alternative to optogenetics for human therapeutics. The technique, dubbed sonogenetics, has the potential to noninvasively reach any tissue of interest in the body.
Researchers at Salk Institute discovered a single master gene, Sox10, that controls the formation of mobile cancer factories. High levels of Sox10 in breast cancer tissue enable these stem-like cells to rapidly produce variants that can survive and spread to other tissues.
Researchers have created a method to observe motor neuron activity in real-time, revealing how spinal cord cells connect with motor neurons. The findings suggest that the genetic identity of each subtype of cells is also important in forging connections.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a critical difference in how cells respond to DNA breaks versus viral infections. The discovery reveals that cells can selectively neutralize viral DNA without triggering a global response, which could lead to the development of new cancer-selective viral therapies.
New research links mGluR5 receptor loss in parvalbumin-positive interneurons to neurodevelopmental disorders like autism and schizophrenia. The study suggests that alteration of these receptors may be a critical step in the formation of some neurodevelopmental disorders, with potential for reversal.
T cells' activation relies on a dynamic protein network at the cell surface, with proteins coming and going in rapid intervals. Understanding this process could help boost the immune response against diseases like cancer or infections.
Scientists have developed a new method to generate healthy stem cells from patient cells with mitochondrial mutations, which can then be converted into various cell types. This breakthrough has the potential to treat debilitating mitochondrial diseases that affect the brain and muscles, offering new hope for patients worldwide.
Researchers developed a new method to map critical chemical tags on proteins, enabling better understanding of protein formation and function. The technique allows pinpointing phosphates' location and studying unstable amino acids like histidine.
Researchers at Salk Institute find that a high-fat diet amplifies the effects of FGF21, granting mice resistance to obesity and associated diseases. The study provides insight into potential new therapies for mitochondrial and metabolic diseases in humans.
Scientists at Salk Institute and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have developed a drug that inhibits the first step of autophagy, a process used by cancer cells to recycle nutrients. This breakthrough opens new avenues for treating resistant cancers.
Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered that telomeres play a more central role in a self-destruct program in cells that prevents tumors than previously thought. This process, called crisis, can be exploited to improve cancer therapies by targeting telomeres and making cells more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Researchers find nucleoporins, proteins that guard the nucleus, also regulate gene expression and control stem cell differentiation into neurons. The discovery sheds new light on genetic diseases caused by mutations in these proteins.
Researchers at Salk Institute found that a low glycemic index diet reduced symptoms of autism in mice, including impaired social interactions and repetitive behaviors. The diet may influence gut bacteria and inflammation, which are linked to the development of autism.
The study provides a starting point to understand the role of methyl groups in influencing gene expression and development. Researchers detected unusual methylation patterns in various tissues, suggesting potential stem cell populations and new avenues for exploration.
Researchers found that inactivating Lhx2 in mature neurons can reprogram them to process different senses, expanding one region at the expense of another. This discovery provides proof of brain plasticity and may lead to new therapeutic approaches for treating human disorders such as autism.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a novel type of pluripotent stem cell capable of developing into any type of tissue. The new cells, dubbed region-selective pluripotent stem cells (rsPSCs), were easier to grow in the laboratory and offered advantages for large-scale production and gene editing.
Researchers found that Wnt and Activin pathways work together to activate essential genes for stem cells to differentiate. This discovery could improve regenerative therapies and understanding of cancer development.
Researchers at Salk Institute have developed a gene-editing technique to eliminate mitochondrial mutations, preventing babies from inheriting these diseases. The approach may offer new hope for carriers wishing to have children without the disease.
Researchers found that a neural circuit evaluates environmental variability to prompt animals to explore new locations. The circuit uses information from the animal's senses to determine predictability, triggering dopamine release and increased risk-taking behavior. This discovery could lead to better therapies for neurodegenerative an...
A single metabolic protein called estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ) controls the flow of blood and nutrients throughout the body. It turns on fat-burning pathways in muscles and sugar-burning pathways in the brain.
Researchers at Salk Institute have developed a new method to convert cells from x-linked SCID patients into stem cell-like state, fix the genetic mutation and prompt corrected cells to successfully generate NK cells in the laboratory. This technique could lead to a more effective and less invasive treatment for this devastating disease.
Researchers created a CRISPR system that recognizes and cuts the HIV virus, effectively inactivating it. The technology has shown success in both treating active infections and removing dormant copies of the virus from cells.
A cluster of neurons in the spinal cord, known as RORα neurons, integrates sensory information from light touch sensors to control muscle movements. This 'mini-brain' helps regulate balance and prevents falls by making subtle adjustments to foot position.
Researchers at Salk Institute develop a new compound called fexaramine that effectively stops weight gain, lowers cholesterol and controls blood sugar levels in mice. The pill tricks the body into thinking it has consumed calories, causing it to burn fat without altering appetite.
Scientists have developed a mathematical theory based on roundworm foraging that predicts how animals decide to switch from localized to very broad searching. The theory could explain animal behavior in a more unified way, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and extraterrestrial behavior.
Researchers at Salk Institute and Harvard Medical School have identified a neural mechanism in the spinal cord that sends erroneous pain signals to the brain. The discovery provides a key to understanding how chronic pain disorders arise from dysfunctional neural processing, opening doors to potential new treatments.
Researchers at Salk Institute discover that confining caloric consumption to an 8- to 12-hour period can significantly reduce weight gain, improve body composition, and even reverse obesity and diabetes in mice. The study's findings add to mounting evidence highlighting the importance of time-restricted eating for overall health.
Salk scientists unveil a new method that enables detection of fleeting protein interactions, which could dramatically accelerate cancer drug discovery. The ReBiL method, published in Cell Reports, provides an immediate platform to screen for badly needed new drug candidates.
Researchers at Salk Institute develop a powerful dual-drug therapy that doubles the survival rate of mice with lung cancer and halts cancer in pancreatic cells. The treatment combines two existing drugs, Zometa and rapamycin, to successfully target KRAS mutation.
Researchers at Salk Institute have healed injured hearts of living mice by targeting four specific molecules that suppress regenerative programs. This finding provides proof-of-concept for a new type of clinical treatment to fight against heart disease, which kills over 600,000 people annually in the US.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a new protein, Ssu72, that plays a critical role in HIV replication. The team found that Ssu72 binds to the Tat protein, revving up the engine of viral replication and potentially making it a target for drug therapy.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a mechanism for cancer cells to become resistant to chemotherapy, which may lead to a new approach to treating cancer. The study found that variations in breast cancer cells' RNA enable the cancer to evolve and adapt more quickly than previously thought.
Researchers have discovered a new class of lipids in humans called fatty acid hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) that are linked to reduced inflammation and improved blood sugar levels in diabetes. FAHFA levels are low in humans with a high risk for diabetes, suggesting potential therapeutic opportunities for metabolic disorders.
Researchers at Salk Institute will create an epigenetic map of each cell type in the brain, allowing for deeper understanding of neurons' identity and functional differences. The study aims to reveal possible windows into brain development and disease.
Researchers found that a synthetic derivative of vitamin D can collapse the barrier of cells shielding pancreatic tumors, making them more susceptible to therapeutic drugs. Human trials are underway for pancreatic cancer, and the findings may have implications for other tough-to-treat tumors.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered a 'switch' in cells that can be turned on and off to control telomerase activity. This switch could help keep telomerase levels low, potentially slowing aging and regenerating vital organs.
Researchers discovered that Axl and Mer receptors work in different settings to recognize and engulf dead cells. The study found multiple critical differences between the receptors, including their ligand use and regulation.
Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified a key control mechanism on regulatory T cells that maintain immune system balance. Removing a specific genetic sequence in Foxp3 destabilizes these cells, leading to autoimmune disease in animal models.
Scientists from the Salk Institute discovered a protein that promotes nerve regeneration by disrupting a pair of proteins that inhibit growth. The finding could lead to therapies for thousands of Americans with severe spinal cord injuries and paralysis.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have discovered a compound in the Voacanga africana plant that protects cells from altered molecular pathways linked to neurodegenerative diseases. The compound, voacamine, has shown anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects, suggesting potential as a treatment for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke.
Astrocytes play a vital role in controlling gamma oscillations, which are essential for higher-level brain function and memory. The study found that disabling astrocytes disrupts gamma waves and impairs novel object recognition memory.