Researchers have identified 15 biological markers that can predict severe depression in pregnant women with 83% accuracy. This finding has the potential to improve prenatal care and reduce depressive symptoms in mothers.
Researchers will investigate the genetic and epigenetic factors controlling variation in health, with potential implications for combating cancer, obesity, and other diseases. The team aims to identify new sets of disease-related genes, delineate subtypes of disease, and understand the complex interaction between genetics and epigenetics.
Stephanie Grainger, Ph.D., awarded $2.375M grant to explore Wnt molecular pathway's role in healthy development and disease, including cancer, osteoporosis, and heart conditions.
A nationwide team of researchers will investigate epigenetic therapies for cancer, with a focus on exploring new targets and investigating novel combinations. The project aims to improve current epigenetic therapies and enhance existing approaches such as immunotherapy.
A study by Van Andel Institute scientists found that surplus sugar causes mitochondria to become less efficient, reducing their energy output. A low-sugar ketogenic diet reversed this effect, supporting healthy mitochondrial integrity and function.
Researchers found that UVB radiation from the sun causes chemical changes to DNA, leading to disease-causing mutations. This discovery sheds light on the origins of melanoma and highlights the importance of prevention efforts.
Researchers at Van Andel Institute have published high-resolution images of TRPM5, a taste-sensing molecule that may serve as targets for new medications to control blood sugar in diabetes. The findings also reveal potential applications for low-calorie alternative sweeteners that mimic sugar.
Researchers mapped misfolded tau proteins' brain journey, finding they resist spread in certain areas. This discovery could lead to new therapies targeting specific brain regions.
A study by Van Andel Institute and Roche suggests that chronic gut inflammation may propel processes in the body leading to Parkinson's disease. The researchers found that gut inflammation triggers protein clumping in the colon and brain, which can clog molecular machinery and lead to Parkinson's symptoms.
A new report published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests older age and alcohol consumption before conception may alter a specific gene's epigenetic marks, impacting human egg development. The study provides valuable insights into environmental factors affecting gene regulation through epigenetics and imprinting.
Scientists have devised a new method to detect and potentially treat two rare pediatric diseases, Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome and Silver-Russell syndrome, by measuring IGF2 levels in amniotic fluid. Treatment with an FDA-approved cancer medication before birth has shown promise in normalizing fetal growth in mouse models.
Researchers found changes in gut microbiome composition correlate with higher levels of toxic bile acids in people with Parkinson's. The findings suggest bile acids may be a viable biomarker for diagnosing Parkinson's early and tracking its progression.
Researchers have developed a novel approach to quantify ChIP-seq results, eliminating the need for spike-ins and ensuring reproducibility. The sans-spike-in method defines a physical scale for sequencing results, allowing comparison between experiments.
Researchers have visualized a new class of molecular gates, called proton-activated chloride channels (PAC), which regulate the passage of small molecules into and out of cells. These gates are critical for maintaining pH balance within brain cells, allowing them to sense and respond to their environment.
Researchers developed a simple blood test to distinguish between pancreatic cancers that respond to treatment and those that do not. The test detects the levels of a sugar called sTRA, which is produced by a certain subtype of cancer and escapes into the bloodstream.
Researchers explore potential link between COVID-19 and Parkinson's disease, citing three case studies with improved symptoms after treatment. The study suggests that severe inflammation, blood clots, and neurotropic effects of SARS-CoV-2 may contribute to Parkinson's onset.
A study found that reducing TET2 activity protects neurons from inflammatory insults and neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. The research suggests calming TET2 activity could be a powerful preventative measure to delay or prevent symptom onset.
Scientists have revealed the first known atomic structure of a molecular machine responsible for installing critical signaling proteins into cellular membranes. The study provides new insights into how membrane proteins become established in membranes and how they change from their unstructured form to their functional form.
Researchers have identified key changes in a molecular pathway that plays critical roles in human development, blood pressure regulation, inflammation, and cell death. The findings provide a blueprint for drug development and shed light on how common medications interact with the target.
A newly identified biomarker could help scientists pinpoint which cancers are vulnerable to treatment with biguanides, a common class of medications used to control blood sugar in Type 2 diabetes. The biomarker is linked to the gene MYC and has been found to be regulated by microRNAs that target certain cancer cells.
A new study published in Cell Reports reveals how microRNAs regulate the immune system by acting as a release for the
Researchers found epigenetic differences between brain hemispheres linked to variations in gene activity, making one side more vulnerable to neurological diseases. These findings could lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating Parkinson's and other neurological disorders.
Researchers found that significantly reducing dietary methionine slows the progression of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders like multiple sclerosis. Methionine fuels T cells, which can cause inflammation and damage if it lingers.
Researchers have uncovered the near atomic-level structure of a calcium homeostasis modulator, a protein crucial in processing taste stimuli and mitigating brain cell toxicity. This discovery may lead to novel medications for CALHM-related disorders, including Alzheimer's disease and stroke.
Researchers found that an inflammatory immune response and altered serotonin levels contribute to severe pregnancy-related depression. The study suggests that targeting this inflammatory pathway could lead to new treatments for perinatal depression.
Scientists have devised a method to sort out which heart cells can replicate and which cannot, a critical step toward treatments that may one day help the heart heal itself after injury. This technique combines molecular beacon technology and fluorescence activated cell-sorting to specifically isolate cells that successfully divide.
A new report suggests that immune cells process glucose differently in living organisms, with implications for therapeutic development and a more complete understanding of immune cell function. The study's findings could lead to breakthroughs in diagnostic and treatment strategies.
Researchers have identified a new mechanism that accelerates aging in the brain and gives rise to the most devastating biological features of Alzheimer's disease. This finding unifies three long-standing theories behind the disease's origins into one cohesive narrative.
A newly discovered epigenetic hotspot in the genome may drive psychosis in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, potentially leading to new treatment targets and biomarkers. The hotspot affects dopamine production and synaptic development, which are critical regulators of brain function.
A team of scientists has mapped a molecular complex that could aid in the development of better medications with fewer side effects for osteoporosis and cancer. The findings provide insight into how PTH1R interacts with key messengers to regulate calcium levels.
A new study reveals blocking specific regions of UHRF1 switches on hundreds of cancer-fighting genes, impairing colorectal cancer cells' ability to grow and spread. This protein is akin to a molecular Swiss army knife, with many different parts that each have a different job.
A new combination blood test has been developed to detect pancreatic cancer earlier, with a detection rate of nearly 70% and a false-positive rate of less than 5%. The test uses two different sugars produced by pancreatic cancer cells and can detect subtypes that may have been missed by existing tests.
A new biochemical platform has been developed to map the activity of lysine methyltransferases, a family of enzymes promising targets for cancer treatment. The platform enables high-resolution views of how these enzymes selectively mark proteins with chemical tags, leading to potential new therapeutic targets.
A study published in Science Translational Medicine found that removing the appendix early in life can lower the risk of developing Parkinson's disease. The appendix acts as a reservoir for disease-associated proteins, and appendectomy delays disease progression by an average of 3.6 years.
The study revealed the atomic-level structure of TRPM2, a protein involved in regulating body temperature and mediating immune responses. The findings provide valuable details that could inform the design of therapeutic drugs to treat temperature-related diseases and prevent neuronal death.
Scientists have visualized the interaction between two critical components of the body's cellular communication network using cryo-electron microscopy. The near-atomic resolution images show a G-protein coupled receptor bound to an inhibitory G protein, providing a blueprint for designing more precise and selective drugs.
Researchers discovered that ancient microbes and modern humans share a similar molecular mechanism for respiration, adapting to changing environmental conditions. The study provides new insights into the evolution of Complex I and its potential use as a source of clean energy.
Researchers have developed a new classification system for cancer based on molecular characteristics, identifying 28 subtypes and improving treatment options. The new approach has the potential to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and patient care.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute developed a computational method to measure cellular age, revealing progressive loss of specific chemical tags in normal cells. This discovery may lead to better screening and monitoring methods for cancer and other diseases.
Scientists have revealed the atomic-level structure of a molecular complex responsible for modifying proteins, which could lead to new medications for cancer and other diseases. The complex, known as OST, plays a key role in protein glycosylation, a process linked to numerous human body functions.
Researchers at Van Andel Research Institute have determined the atomic-level structure of TRPM4, a protein responsible for regulating blood flow to the brain. The 'crown-like' structure reveals new facets of its makeup and provides a molecular blueprint for designing effective medications with fewer side effects.
A four-year study investigates how long-term exposure to airborne particulates relates to Parkinson's onset later in life, exploring the role of nasal inflammation and anti-inflammatory medications. The team aims to develop ways to evaluate an individual's risk for the disease and therapies to prevent or slow its progression.
Scientists at Van Andel Research Institute and collaborators have shed new light on the critical step of DNA replication, revealing a spring-loaded mechanism that positions DNA strands toward two side-way gates. This discovery offers fresh insights into a fundamental process of life and driver of many different diseases, including cancer.
The Van Andel Research Institute has been awarded two grants totaling $5.5 million to pursue clinical trials of epigenetic drugs combining with immunotherapies to enhance tumor response. The trials aim to test whether epigenetic therapies can reverse resistance to immunotherapy in lung and bladder cancers.
The National Institute of General Medical Sciences has awarded a $2.375 million grant to Van Andel Research Institute to study epigenetic control mechanisms that regulate the genetic code. The researchers aim to understand how these complex controls are orchestrated and leverage this knowledge to design more effective medications.
Researchers reveal components of rhodopsin and arrestin that form a critical cellular communication network. The discovery provides new insights into how GPCRs interact with signaling molecules, potentially leading to more effective drugs with fewer side effects for diseases like heart failure and cancer.
Researchers have mapped the critical steps of DNA replication, revealing how a ring-shaped protein called origin recognition complex (ORC) initiates the process by slipping into a groove on DNA and initiating a cascade of microscopic interactions. The study provides new insights into an immensely complex system that is constantly ongoi...
A new study reveals the structure of DNA helicase at the replication fork, reversing a long-held assumption about its orientation. The findings provide a crucial piece in understanding how life propagates and may lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancers and anemias.
Researchers analyzed 559 esophageal and gastric cancer samples to discover two main types of esophageal cancer differ markedly in molecular characteristics. The study suggests grouping patients according to molecular subtype for more effective clinical trials and new treatment approaches.
Researchers have developed a diabetes drug that slows experimental Parkinson's disease progression by regulating mitochondrial function and reducing inflammation. Human trials are set to begin next year, offering hope for the first treatment to target the underlying disease.