Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute found that pregnancy hormones oestrogen and progesterone act on a small population of neurons in the brain to switch on parental behaviour. This adaptation results in stronger and more selective responses to pups, enabling mothers to care for their young.
A research team has identified a link between calcium imbalances and the progression of brain damage in children with rare genetic conditions. They found that stabilizing calcium levels could be a target for new treatments to prevent further deterioration.
Researchers have found a link between the antiviral drug molnupiravir and a pattern of mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The study used global sequencing databases to map mutations over time, identifying a mutational signature associated with individuals who took molnupiravir.
Researchers have characterised a specialised type of immune cell that plays a key role in protecting and repairing the healthy human gut. Depletion of these cells is linked to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) progression, with potential implications for treatment options.
For the first time, researchers have identified self-renewing stem cells in the human thymus, which could lead to new treatments for immune diseases and cancer. The thymus, a gland located in the chest, was previously thought not to contain epithelial stem cells.
Researchers found that dietary AHR ligands from cruciferous vegetables, such as kale and broccoli, maintain a healthy barrier in the lungs and prevent infection. The study shows that AHR activity is essential for lung barrier integrity during viral infections.
Researchers used AI to accurately classify four subtypes of Parkinson's disease from patient-derived stem cells, with one subtype reaching an accuracy of 95%. The study suggests that personalized medicine and targeted drug discovery could be possible using this approach.
A study published in Neuron reveals that hundreds of proteins and mRNA molecules are found in the wrong place in nerve cells affected by Motor Neurone Disease, a condition that causes paralysis. The researchers found that mislocalisation affects many more proteins than first thought, especially those involved in RNA binding.
A new study reveals that the protein complex BCDX2 plays a critical role in DNA repair, suggesting mutations in this complex could lead to cancer. The research also highlights the importance of screening for mutations in people with a family history of breast and ovarian cancers.
Researchers discovered three 4,000-year-old cases of Yersinia pestis in human remains from mass burials in Somerset and Cumbria. The findings indicate the plague may have been easily transmitted across Britain, contradicting previous assumptions that it was brought by fleas.
A study published in Development found that mice with a third copy of the Dyrk1a gene exhibit shortened skull length and widened head diameter, similar to humans with Down Syndrome. The researchers identified three other genes also contributing to craniofacial dysmorphology, providing insights into the genetics of Down Syndrome.
Researchers found that remnants of ancient retroviruses in the human genome can be targeted by antibodies to improve lung cancer treatment. The study suggests that boosting antibody responses could help predict patient response to immunotherapy and lead to improved outcomes.
Researchers found that a large genetic region responsible for immune responses showed rapid evolution and more Mesolithic hunter-gatherer ancestry, suggesting that genetic variants already present in Europe were passed down preferentially. This suggests that diversity in immune genes may be just as important as adaptation to lifestyle.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a key role for autophagy in controlling intracellular infections like TB. By boosting this natural process, they hope to create new treatments that can combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a new cell type, named F-Cell, that plays a crucial role in touch sensing in fruit flies. The study published in Nature Cell Biology reveals that F-Cells are recruited to tactile hairs and participate in sending signals to neighbouring epidermal cells.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute found that high doses of sucralose lower activation of T-cells in mice, which could lead to new treatment options for autoimmune diseases. The study suggests that sucralose may be used therapeutically to dampen T-cell responses.
Researchers have discovered that the enzyme COASY plays a critical role in regulating red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Vitamin B5 supplementation and another metabolite increased the maturation of red blood cells in patients with Myelodysplastic syndromes, offering new hope for alternative treatments.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute created a comprehensive map of metabolic pathways in mice, then gathered data to put into a model predicting diet effects on liver cancer. The study found specific changes in metabolism associated with unhealthy diets promote cancer cell growth.
Researchers identify POLQ's vital role in responding to DNA replication stress and its potential as a cancer target. Inhibiting POLQ may limit mutation diversity and cancer evolution, offering new hope for cancer treatment.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute developed a new method to study proteins released by cells, which could lead to tracking diseases like cancer. The Bio-Orthogonal Cell line-specific Tagging of Glycoproteins (BOCTAG) method identifies proteins uniquely made by diseased or cancerous cells, even in complex environments.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute discovered how a build-up of harmful protein starts to happen within neurons in Parkinson's disease. The research found that misfolded alpha-synuclein clumps on the surface of mitochondria, causing holes and interfering with energy production.
Researchers have identified a group of latent stem cells in the central nervous system of mice that respond to injury by dividing, migrating towards damaged areas, and differentiating into astrocytes. If similar cells exist in humans, they could provide a new therapeutic approach for treating spinal cord injuries.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have made significant progress in designing a pan-coronavirus vaccine that targets the S2 area of the spike protein, offering protection against multiple coronaviruses and potential future pandemics. The study found that antibodies targeting this area can neutralize a range of coronaviruses, i...
Researchers have found a promising new combination therapy that uses immunotherapy alongside a drug blocking a common gene mutation in lung cancer. The study suggests this combination may be effective in 'immune hot' tumours, which are more likely to respond.
Researchers found that dogs derive ancestry from at least two separate wolf populations, an eastern source and a more westerly source. The study, published in Nature, analyzed 72 ancient wolf genomes spanning the last 100,000 years and suggests that domestication occurred in multiple places.
Researchers have developed an imaging technique to capture information about brain tissue at the subcellular level, combining seven methods to visualize neural networks and individual cells. This approach allows for a complete picture of brain structure and function, overcoming challenges of imaging tissues at different scales.
Researchers have identified a genetic cause of lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that affects 50,000 people in the UK. The TLR7 gene mutation causes inflammation in organs and joints, leading to debilitating symptoms. This discovery paves the way for new treatments targeting the mutated gene.
Research from the Francis Crick Institute found that microbial communities with auxotrophs, unable to produce essential metabolites, have increased tolerance to hundreds of drugs. These cells cooperate by absorbing and exchanging metabolites, leading to higher metabolic flow and a richer environment for growth.
A study published in Nature Cancer has found that tissue damage caused by radiation can facilitate the spread of cancer, with neutrophils playing a key role. The researchers used mice to test the effect of high doses of radiation on healthy lung tissue and found that secondary tumours formed more easily in damaged lungs.
Researchers found that a third 'booster' dose of COVID-19 vaccine successfully raises antibody levels that neutralise the Omicron variant. Antibody levels were nearly 2.5x higher after three doses compared to after two.
Researchers found that astrocytes become pro-inflammatory and lose protective functions in ALS, leading to toxic build-up of glutamate that damages motor neurons. The study also identified distinct molecular patterns in astrocytes associated with different ALS-causing genetic mutations.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute have developed a gene-editing method to control the sex of mouse offspring, demonstrating its potential to reduce culling in scientific research and farming. The technology shows 100% efficiency in producing single-sex litters, with minimal impact on litter size.
Dendritic cells, crucial in detecting infectious agents, need boosting when they are scarce in healthy tissue. A new process, dubbed 'emergency' dendritic cell response, rapidly replenishes these cells from bone marrow upon infection.
Researchers found immune cell patterns within tumours that can predict if patients with kidney cancer will respond to immunotherapy. The study identified a specific 'clonal' T cell receptor pattern linked to a greater chance of positive immunotherapy response.
Researchers found that glial cells are activated by interferon gamma in response to pathogen invasion, releasing signals to attract immune cells to fight infection. In the absence of disease or injury, blocked activation led to tissue inflammation, highlighting their role in maintaining healthy intestinal tissue.
Research finds that immunocompromised dialysis patients who received the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine have higher levels of neutralising antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Delta. A third dose of an mRNA vaccine is recommended to protect this vulnerable group.
Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute successfully reversed a key hallmark of motor neurone disease by blocking the activity of an enzyme called VCP. This breakthrough, published in Brain Communications, suggests that the abnormal accumulation of proteins involved in RNA regulation might be a factor contributing to the disease.
Researchers have found a vital mechanism that helps mammalian stem cells protect themselves from RNA viruses. The scientists suggest this could one day be exploited in the development of new antiviral treatments.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University of Dundee have identified 15 molecules that inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by blocking different enzymes. Three of the molecules are existing drugs with known safety data, which could be developed into new COVID-19 treatments quickly.
The study found that vaccinated individuals have lower antibody levels targeting the Delta variant compared to previously circulating variants. Booster doses and second vaccinations are recommended to ensure high protection against new variants.
Researchers identified a protein that interferes with the immune system's response to cancer, allowing tumours to evade killer T-cells. Lower levels of this protein in tumours have been linked to improved survival rates in patients with specific types of cancer, such as liver, head and neck, and stomach cancers.
A multidisciplinary study has found that cells at the centre of kidney tumours have a higher potential to spread to secondary sites around the body. By contrast, cells at the tumour edge had lower rates of metastasis and growth.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered how lipid droplets in kidney cells help prevent damage from excess dietary fats. The study found that lipid droplets act as a safe haven for storing excess fats, and boosting the ATGL enzyme can repair damage caused by a high-fat diet.
Researchers have designed a new drug compound that effectively blocks a critical step in the malaria parasite life cycle, trapping it in the cell and preventing its replication. The compound works by blocking an enzyme called SUB1, which is crucial for the parasite's exit route from red blood cells.
Researchers found that mice can detect rapid fluctuations in odour plumes and use this information to distinguish between sources. This suggests the mammalian olfactory system plays a key role in processing awareness of physical space and surroundings, guiding survival decisions.
Researchers found biliverdin and bilirubin, natural molecules present in the body, can suppress antibody binding to SARS-CoV-2. This discovery may help explain why some COVID-19 patients become severely ill despite having high levels of antibodies against the virus.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute found that blocking a specific protein, DNPH1, sensitised BRCA-defective cancer cells to treatment with PARP inhibitors. The discovery suggests a promising potential treatment combination that could lead to improved therapy for patients with inheritable breast cancers.
Researchers found that tumour samples from over 2,600 patients with different types of cancer contain a high prevalence of genetic diversity within individual tumours. This variation is a challenge for doctors as treatment may not be effective against another subclone, and certain subclones can initiate tumour spread or drug resistance.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified the key cellular change that leads to harmful astrocytes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The discovery could lead to new therapies to slow disease progression and is also relevant to other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. Understanding this c...
Researchers discovered that cells use active perception to coordinate action when creating new tissue. They found that filopodia movement helps inform a decision by detecting signals in the environment.