Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered simple rules that determine the precision of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing in human cells. By analyzing hundreds of edits, they found predictable patterns behind the technology, allowing for greater precision and efficiency.
New research reveals Gamma Delta T cells possess a two-pronged device to check cell health before killing cancer cells. The immune cells can act independently without relying on authorization from other signals.
The Francis Crick Institute will run a new accelerator programme called KQ Labs to support data-driven biomedical start-ups, providing £40,000 each to ten companies to validate their proposals. The programme is part of a growing ecosystem around King's Cross, Euston and Bloomsbury.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute developed machine learning algorithms to predict yeast metabolism from protein content, shedding light on the complex relationships between enzymes and metabolites. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of perfect beer flavors and personalized treatments for metabolic disorders.
A new AI model has been developed that can predict the risk of death in patients with heart disease more accurately than medical experts. The model was trained on electronic health data from over 80,000 patients and identified new variables that doctors hadn't considered.
A study from the Francis Crick Institute found that chemicals produced by vegetables like kale and broccoli can prevent colon cancer in mice. The research discovered that these compounds activate a protein called AhR, which helps protect against inflammatory responses to gut bacteria.
Researchers developed a technique to measure drug-target engagement in individual cancer cells, revealing variation in effectiveness between cells within a tumour. The findings could help clinicians choose the best course and delivery of treatment for cancer patients, improving treatment outcomes.
Researchers found that extra copies of genes on chromosome 21 increase Alzheimer's-like brain pathology in a mouse model of Down syndrome. The study could lead to future medicines to prevent early onset Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome.
A gene signature in the bloodstream could reveal whether someone is going to develop active tuberculosis disease months before symptoms begin. Researchers developed a new 20-gene signature that distinguishes between TB and viral infections, showing promise for early detection and treatment.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute discovered that a small region of non-coding DNA, enhancer 13, boosts SOX9 protein production to trigger testes development in male mice. This finding could help explain why some humans with XY chromosomes develop female sex organs due to missing genetic material.
A study published in Nature Communications has revealed how alpha-synuclein protein clumps cause neurons to die by damaging mitochondria and triggering a channel that leads to cell swelling and bursting. The findings were replicated in human brain cells generated from patient skin cells, providing valuable insights into neurodegeneration.
A team of clinical neurologists, molecular biologists, and computer scientists have uncovered the earliest events in motor neuron disease using stem cell technology and RNA sequencing data. They discovered that a protein called SFPQ is lost from the nucleus in diseased motor neurons, leading to their death.
Researchers have discovered a potential link between tuberculosis and Parkinson's disease, suggesting that drugs designed to treat Parkinson's may also work for TB. The study found that LRRK2 protein prevents immune cells from clearing bacteria, leading to build-up of protein in neurons that disrupts their function.
A new study has revealed that breast cancer drug lapatinib can cause breast cancer cells to grow more rapidly in some situations. The findings could lead to safer treatment decisions and improved drug design in the future. Researchers hope their results will inform how doctors select patients who may benefit most from these drugs.
Researchers discovered three evolutionarily distinct types of kidney cancer, each with its own evolutionary path. The study sheds light on the fundamental principles of cancer evolution and could lead to future clinical tests for more accurate prognoses and personalized treatment.
Researchers identified two key proteins crucial for malaria parasites' escape from red blood cells and infection of fresh cells. The discovery offers potential new treatment targets against the deadliest malaria parasite, Plasmodium falciparum.
Research from the Francis Crick Institute discovered that immune cells called Natural Killer cells accumulate in tumours and release chemicals attracting specialised dendritic cells. Genes associated with these cells correlated with cancer patient survival rates, suggesting a new basis for immunotherapies.
Scientists have developed a new technique to map electrical circuits in the brain with unprecedented accuracy, revealing the detailed architecture of microcircuits. This breakthrough enables researchers to understand how the brain processes complex information and may lead to insights into behavior and sensory processing.
A new study reveals that mutations in 'Ras' genes, which drive 25% of human cancers, can also suppress the immune system around tumors by increasing PD-L1 levels. This understanding will help offer patients more precise and effective treatments.
Researchers found that fruit flies raised on a low protein diet during early life lived more than twice as long as those fed throughout on a standard diet. Adult flies release toxic lipids from their skin, which were less toxic if they ate a low-protein diet earlier in life.
Researchers have identified 27 novel tumour suppressor genes that may prevent cancer formation, using a powerful statistical model on over 2000 tumours across 12 human cancer types. This discovery could pave the way for targeted cancer therapies and deepen our understanding of cancer genomics.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a novel protein that exclusively targets Wnt signalling in tumour cells, reducing growth of colon cancer cells without harming healthy cells.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified an enzyme that disrupts vital cell processes in intestinal worms, potentially leading to new vaccine or drug development. The discovery could also help combat emerging drug-resistant worm infections.
Researchers used genome editing to stop a key gene from producing a protein in human embryos, revealing its crucial role in correct blastocyst formation. The study could help improve IVF treatments and understand causes of pregnancy failure.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute found that acute myeloid leukemia causes bone marrow to 'leak' blood, preventing chemotherapy from working. Drugs that reversed this leakiness boosted chemotherapy's effect in mice and human tissue.
Scientists have created healthy offspring from genetically infertile male mice using a new technique that removes the extra sex chromosome. The approach has potential for treating human infertility caused by Klinefelter syndrome and Double Y syndrome.
Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute and University of Manchester have developed a new method to screen compounds that is more sensitive than existing methods. This technique, called CoSPI, can help identify allosteric compounds that regulate enzyme activity, which could lead to new treatments for diseases like tuberculosis.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have worked out how major players in border formation between tissues keep cells in the right places. They found that ephrins and their Eph receptors trigger signalling inside both cells, stopping them from mixing, and that N-cadherin suppresses repulsion between like cells.
The Francis Crick Institute has launched a fellowship programme to train African researchers to combat infectious diseases in their home countries. The programme, called the Crick African Network, will provide two years of intensive training and mentorship to foster the next generation of research leaders in Africa.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have uncovered a pathway controlling autophagy, a process that eliminates diseased cell parts. This finding may help prevent diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by targeting the disposal system.
Researchers at The Francis Crick Institute and The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine identified a key protein involved in malaria parasite escape. Disrupting this protein reduces the efficiency of parasite escape, slowing down infection rate.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and colleagues discover that nerve cells use two signals to measure position accurately, turning into the right type of cell. This finding could inform regenerative medicine and tissue engineering approaches.
Children with TB meningitis have a unique biological profile that helps assess disease severity and predict outcomes. This discovery enables doctors to make informed treatment decisions and provide novel treatments.
Scientists have discovered how certain forms of motor neuron disease begin and progress, revealing potential new ways to slow down or even stop the process. Healthy astrocyte-supporting cells may play a role in combating neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have discovered how the enteric nervous system, a complex network of nerve cells in the gut, is formed during mouse development. The study reveals that individual progenitor cells produce specific types of cells, which form overlapping columns and exhibit synchronized activity.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a natural defence mechanism that prevents Mycobacterium tuberculosis from damaging phagosomes, allowing cells to deliver antibacterial components more efficiently. This discovery could help develop treatments for TB without antibiotics.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute demonstrate a network of chemical reactions mimicking the Krebs cycle, a crucial process in cellular life. The findings suggest an enzyme-free metabolic pathway could have emerged four billion years ago, sparking the development of life on Earth.
A set of genes from the pir gene family is responsible for malaria parasites' ability to persist in the body. The expression of these genes is linked to chronic infection, which can lead to ongoing transmission of the disease.
Researchers found that glial cells, which support neurons, undergo significant changes with aging, particularly in brain regions damaged by neurodegenerative diseases. This discovery suggests a new approach to understanding and treating dementia, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's diseases.
A team of scientists tracked the genetics of disseminated tumour cells in breast cancer patients, finding they are genetically similar to the original tumour. This knowledge could help clinicians choose the most effective therapy, potentially leading to better outcomes and a more accurate prognosis.