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University of Southern Denmark


Fat cells reprogrammed to increase fat burning

A team of researchers from the University of Southern Denmark has successfully reprogrammed white adipose tissue cells to become 'brite' (brown-in-white) fat cells, increasing energy consumption and potentially treating obesity. The study identified KLF11 as a key gene required for this process, paving the way for future treatments.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalGenes & Development·DateDec 13, 2014

Scientists create possible precursor to life

Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark discover information strings with peculiar properties that can replicate quickly and efficiently, leading to a self-organizing autocatalytic network. This mechanism has potential value for developing technology based on living processes, such as self-healing devices.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalEPL (Europhysics Letters)·DateOct 20, 2014

Scientists about sequencing data: We drown in data but thirst for knowledge

Despite vast genomic data, researchers from the University of Southern Denmark found that DNA sequencing alone cannot distinguish between pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria. The team suggests that proteins provide more valuable knowledge than DNA in understanding bacterial behavior and disease-causing properties. This raises questi...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalBriefings in Functional Genomics·DateJun 18, 2014

New insight into stem cell development

Researchers from University of Southern Denmark have discovered that proteins called transcription factors work together in a new and complex way to reprogram the DNA strand when a stem cell develops into a specific cell type. This discovery could lead to new ways of making stem cells develop into exactly the type of cells that a physi...

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalCell Reports·DateMay 22, 2014

Theory on origin of animals challenged: Animals needs only extremely little oxygen

A study of a sea sponge reveals that complex life can survive with extremely low oxygen levels, challenging the long-held theory that high oxygen levels were necessary for animal evolution. This finding suggests alternative ecological and evolutionary mechanisms may have played a role in the origin of animals.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

Proteins in one of the world's main biodiesel plants have been mapped -- and it does not look good

A team of researchers has successfully mapped 1875 castor bean proteins using proteomics, revealing the presence of toxic allergens and ricin. The findings suggest that eliminating these substances may be difficult due to their concentration in mature beans, making it hard to harvest beans before they reach full maturity.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateOct 25, 2013

Lots of oxygen does not necessarily lead to the evolution of advanced life

A Danish/Swedish/French research team has shown that oxygen content in the atmosphere was probably the same as when life exploded 500 million years ago, contradicting textbooks' claim of oxygen's necessity for advanced life. This finding contributes to a new understanding of the Earth's development and oxygen dynamics.

SourceUniversity of Southern Denmark·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2013