Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered that Legionella bacteria use a protein called RomA to manipulate the host's epigenetic landscape, allowing it to survive and multiply. However, this manipulation is also subject to the host's rules, revealing a complex two-way conversation between host and pathogen.
A comprehensive compendium of patient-derived models paired with their original human tumors has been developed, providing powerful tools for understanding tumor biology and predicting treatment response. The resource includes rich molecular profiles that help researchers identify and understand the biological mechanisms driving indivi...
Dr. Glenda Halliday has been awarded the 2026 Jay Van Andel Award for her pioneering work on Parkinson's and related neurodegenerative disorders, advancing understanding of clinical symptoms and underlying brain changes.
Researchers identified a CRISPR variant that distinguishes tumor DNA from healthy DNA and selectively cuts the former. This method relies on methyl groups attached to DNA, which are altered in cancer cells.
The International Linked Clinical Trials Program aims to change that by supporting and facilitating clinical trials of potentially disease-modifying treatments. Over 6,800 people with Parkinson's have participated in these trials, and approximately 40% of prioritized drugs have been approved for clinical trials.
A study by Van Andel Institute scientists found that reducing calorie intake helps cancer-fighting immune cells do their jobs more effectively. The researchers discovered that a low-fat, high-protein diet given once a day promotes the formation of ketones, which act as a cellular fuel for T cells to become more effective tumor fighters.
Dr. Jonathan D. Licht, a renowned expert in blood cancer and epigenetics, will succeed Peter A. Jones as the next president and chief scientific officer of Van Andel Institute. Licht's extensive research experience and leadership skills will further strengthen the Institute's efforts to improve health and lives.
A new study reveals cancer cells can convert a ketone into acetyl-CoA through an alternative pathway, reshaping the relationship between diet and cancer. This finding suggests that glucose may not always be the primary nutrient source for cells, adding to the complex understanding of cellular metabolism.
A new study by Van Andel Institute scientists provides an unprecedented look into the mechanics of metabolic handoff in fruit fly embryos, offering a clearer view of this nuanced process. The findings have implications for understanding development and lifelong health in humans.
Dr. Nick Burton, a researcher at Van Andel Institute, has been awarded the Pew Charitable Trusts' prestigious Pew Scholar award in Biomedical Sciences. He will investigate how environmental factors influence health, including exposure to stress and microbes, and explore new Type 2 diabetes treatments.
Researchers have discovered that glucose aids in T cells' internal communication and boosts their cancer-fighting abilities. T cells allocate significant portions of glucose to build glycosphingolipids, essential for protein production and lipid raft formation, which enhances cell signaling and tumor control.
Researchers have developed a new technique to comprehensively profile DNA methylation in single cells, enabling better study of epigenetics in cancer and other diseases. The scDEEP-mC method yields high-resolution maps of DNA methylation and supports cutting-edge analyses in single cells.
Scientists found that blocking PTGIR could help revitalize T cells in their battle against cancer. Prostacyclin interacts with PTGIR to lead to T cell exhaustion, which can be reversed by inhibiting this interaction.
Dr. J. Timothy Greenamyre is awarded the 2025 Jay Van Andel Award for his pioneering research into gene-environment interactions and its improved understanding of Parkinson's development and progression. The award highlights his work on mitochondria, LRRK2, and pesticide exposure risks in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers have developed a new method to identify and classify pancreatic cancer cell subtypes by analyzing sugar molecules on the surface of cells. This approach may lead to more precise diagnoses and better treatment options for patients.
Dr. Hui Shen, a leading expert in bioinformatics and computational biology, has been elected to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) College of Fellows. Her research focuses on cancer prevention, detection, and treatment by studying epigenetics, leading to breakthroughs in ovarian cancers and enhanced u...
Researchers found two distinct epigenetic states linked to cancer risk, one associated with a lower lifetime risk and the other with a higher lifetime risk. The study's findings suggest that developmental epigenetic risk may be common across cancers.
A recent study published in Cancer Letters reveals that the experimental test correctly identified 71% of pancreatic cancer samples compared to 44% by current gold-standard test. The new test detects two sugars produced by pancreatic cancer cells, reducing false negatives while maintaining low false positives.
Researchers have developed a free, publicly accessible resource to aid in classification of patient tumor samples based on distinct molecular features identified by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) Network. The resource comprises classifier models that can accelerate the design of cancer subtype-specific test kits for use in clinical tri...
Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered that cutting off cancer cells' access to fat makes them highly sensitive to ferroptosis and drugs that induce it. This finding has promising implications for developing new anti-cancer strategies and potentially tailoring diets to enhance treatment effectiveness.
A new experimental blood test, combining CA199.STRA and CA19-9 biomarkers, improves accurate detection of pancreatic cancer in a lab setting by 27%, according to a recent study published in Cancer Letters. The test's effectiveness in a clinical lab setting is crucial for approval as a potential diagnostic method.
Scientists at Van Andel Institute and Icahn School of Medicine have developed a potent anti-cancer compound that inhibits cancer cell growth in MLL-rearranged leukemia. MS-41 effectively targets and degrades ENL, a protein essential to the progression of leukemia cells.
Van Andel Institute researchers identified two routes for acetyl-CoA production in immune cells, allowing them to maintain their function even when one pathway is impaired. This metabolic flexibility could inform tailored dietary strategies to augment existing cancer treatments and improve immunotherapies.
Researchers have visualized a molecular complex that loads a 'clamp' onto DNA to ensure accurate replication. This discovery sheds light on the intricate mechanisms of DNA replication and could improve understanding of related health conditions.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute discovered over 1,000 previously undetected proteins in common metabolite samples that persist despite extraction methods. A novel protocol for removing these proteins was developed to improve future metabolomics experiments.
Researchers have discovered new binding sites for medications in proteins by heating them to body temperature, revealing previously unknown structures. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more effective drugs for various health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, and diabetes.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute have identified a gene expression pattern, akin to a disease-related fingerprint, in brain cells with Lewy bodies. This finding sheds light on the molecular changes that occur in these cells, which are key pathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease and some dementias.
Researchers have found that combining DNMT and EZH2 inhibitors activates viral mimicry in cancer cells, making them more susceptible to attack by the immune system. The combination therapy has shown potential in treating colorectal cancers and other solid tumors, with an upcoming Phase I clinical trial planned.
Researchers found overactive inflammation and loss of protective mechanisms in the brains of individuals who died by suicide, supporting further exploration of anti-inflammatory medications. The study suggests that targeting these biological changes could reduce suicide risk.
Researchers have developed a new model that replicates key facets of Alzheimer's disease progression in the brain, enabling better understanding of how the disease develops and affects the brain. The model uses induced pluripotent stem cells to study human brain cells with the same genetic background as patients, revealing critical cha...
Nick Burton's research aims to identify bacteria that influence insulin production and signaling, with the goal of finding new therapeutic strategies for Type 2 diabetes. Preliminary results from a small-scale pilot study are promising, suggesting that certain bacteria may play a role in regulating insulin levels.
Peter A. Jones, Ph.D., D.Sc., receives a seven-year, nearly $7.9 million grant to study epigenetic errors driving cancer development and explore potential new treatments. The funding will support his research into the molecule DNMT3A, which is involved in brain development and cancer development.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute have identified a key part of a mechanism that annotates genetic information before it is passed from fathers to their offspring. The findings shed new light on genomic imprinting, a fundamental biological process linked to diseases such as Silver-Russell syndrome and certain cancers.
Mitochondria are the 'powerplants' of cells that convert nutrients into fuel, but they also build fatty acids, a process that links nutrient sources to energy production. This award will enable Dr. Sara Nowinski to study this phenomenon and its impact on health and disease.
Scientists at Van Andel Institute have discovered processes that enable the brain to adapt to damage in movement, cognition, and sensory perception circuits. This finding may help optimize current treatments or develop new ones that repair or bypass broken circuits.
A recent study published in Immunity has found that ketone bodies, produced by the liver during fasting or low glucose levels, power immune cells and improve T cell function. This discovery may pave the way for personalized dietary recommendations to augment treatments for infection, cancer, and other diseases.
A new study from the Van Andel Research Institute reveals that loss of two key 'protector' proteins, TET and RYBP, transforms healthy lung cells into cancerous ones through epigenetic changes. The research found that deficiency of these proteins leads to widespread aberrant methylation and malignant transformation.
Scientists have identified a specific gene mutation that triggers an inflammatory cascade, driving the development of treatment-resistant cancers. The study reveals a molecular circuitry by which mutations in the STK11 gene cause inflammation to spiral out of control.
The Somatic Mosaicism across Human Tissues (SMaHT) Network aims to identify and catalog genetic variants in different individuals, enabling research into development, aging and disorders. A $15 million grant from the NIH Common Fund supports this project, led by Dr. Ting Wang and co-led by Dr. Hui Shen.
Researchers have developed a new extraction protocol for RNA-seq and metabolomic analysis, reducing variation and improving efficiency. The protocol preserves data fidelity and maximizes use of precious biospecimens, enabling the study of metabolic phenotypes in a unique way.
A new study by Van Andel Institute scientists identifies KDM5C as a key driver of low bone density, preserving bone mass in mice. The discovery may lead to more effective treatments for women with osteoporosis, reducing the risk of fractures and improving quality of life.
Two new subtypes of insulin-producing beta cells, ß <sub> HI </sub> and ß <sub> LO </sub>, have been identified with distinct characteristics. The study suggests epigenetic dosage as a driving force behind the decision of ß cells to become these subtypes, offering a new target for potential diabetes treatments.
The Van Andel Institute has been awarded a five-year contract to continue serving as the biorepository for the Cancer Moonshot Biobank study. The institute will assemble and distribute kits to collect tumor tissue, blood, and other biospecimens from over 1,000 participants, contributing to a greater understanding of cancer.
Researchers identify two distinct types of obesity with physiological and molecular differences that may impact health, disease, and treatment response. The study reveals new insights into the link between insulin and obesity, as well as the role of epigenetics in shaping individual body types.
Researchers found that immune cells prefer nutrient fuels previously thought to be waste products, including lactate. This discovery could lead to personalized dietary recommendations to supercharge the immune system. The findings also suggest a strong influence of nutrients on T cell function and survival.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute and University of Freiburg have discovered an enzyme that can break down nitrous oxide into harmless nitrogen and water. This breakthrough could potentially combat one of the main contributors to climate change, which accounts for only 7% of greenhouse gases but has a much greater impact.
The new high-throughput array greatly accelerates mouse DNA methylation characterization, providing an unprecedented look into the mouse epigenome. It enables scientists to interrogate methylation more quickly and deeply than previous methods, resulting in a rich atlas of DNA methylation profiles across over 1,200 samples.
Scientists have discovered that oxidative stress, a process disrupting genetic code by damaging DNA, is the culprit behind inflammation's link to cancer. The study provides crucial insights into roles of inflammation and oxidative stress in certain cancers.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute have discovered a new, detailed molecular structure of PhyB, a vital photoreceptor in plants, which allows them to sense light and regulate their lifecycles. The findings may lead to breakthroughs in agricultural and bioengineering practices.
Scientists at Van Andel Institute and Rockefeller University have revealed the structure of the 911 DNA checkpoint clamp, which loads onto DNA to repair damage. The novel finding shows that the 911 clamp is loaded onto DNA from the opposite end, a surprise in the field of DNA replication.