A new tool called SECRiFY enables training of machine learning predictors of protein secretability, allowing for unprecedented studies on eukaryotic protein secretion. This method improves the predictability of protein manufacturing in biotechnology by identifying sequence properties that allow for secretory processing.
A research team at VIB-KU Leuven discovered the early assembly of gamma-secretase, a protein complex involved in plaque production and linked to Alzheimer's disease. The 'buckle up' mechanism prevents premature assembly and activity, allowing for precise regulation of gamma-secretase activity.
Researchers have identified neural crest stem cells as a key factor in non-genetic drug resistance mechanisms, which can help predict potential resistance routes in patients and develop personalized therapies.
Researchers at VIB discovered the molecular architecture of the TPLATE complex, a crucial protein complex in plants that regulates the outer membrane composition. The study provides new insights into the evolution of this complex and its role in vesicle trafficking, essential for eukaryotic processes.
Scientists have discovered a way to reduce lignin in poplar trees using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, leading to increased wood processing efficiency and a potential solution for a carbon-neutral bio-based economy. The research found that engineered trees showed no negative impact on growth or biomass yield.
Researchers discovered that mitochondria regulate the key event of neural stem cells becoming nerve cells during brain development. The study found that mitochondrial dynamics are important to cell fate choice and that this influence is limited to a specific time window, twice as long in humans compared to mice.
Researchers discovered brain-resident immune cells that play a crucial role in normal brain development and are essential for the regulation of brain functions. The findings suggest a connection between gut bacteria, white blood cells, and neurological diseases.
A research team mapped molecular changes in cells near amyloid plaques, finding two co-expression networks that respond to amyloid beta deposition. These networks, expressed by astroglia, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, show both protective and damaging effects on the brain, highlighting the complexity of Alzheimer's disease.
Research uncovering a new mechanism causing colorectal cancer found that abnormal Zeb2 expression undermines the integrity of the intestinal wall, allowing infiltrating bacteria to cause inflammation. Removing the microbiota or modulating the immune system can prevent cancer development.
Researchers have created new antiviral molecules by designing synthetic amyloid peptides that can inactivate viral proteins, thereby interfering with viral replication. These 'Pept-ins' specifically target the influenza A and Zika virus proteins.
Researchers have identified a new type of antigen-presenting immune cell that plays a crucial role in the immune response to respiratory virus infections. This discovery could explain how convalescent plasma boosts immune responses and offers new therapeutic opportunities for treating viral infections.
Research finds statin-treated individuals have lower prevalence of gut microbiota dysbiosis compared to non-treated obese individuals. The study suggests that statins may modulate harmful gut inflammation, potentially leading to a healthier microbiome.
Researchers have isolated and characterized an antibody that can bind to SARS-CoV-2 and neutralize the virus, providing a potential antiviral drug candidate. The antibody targets a conserved epitope on the spike protein of the virus.
Researchers have identified ATP10B as a novel risk gene for Parkinson's disease, revealing its role in transporting glucosylceramide, a lipid critical to the disease's pathogenesis. Mutations in this gene can lead to neuronal loss and increased sensitivity to environmental risk factors.
A study reveals that Alzheimer risk genes are linked to microglia's response to amyloid-beta, a key protein in the disease. The researchers identified 11 new risk genes that are upregulated when facing increased amyloid-beta levels.
Researchers discovered how protein A20 prevents inflammation through a non-enzymatic mechanism, opening up new possibilities for treatment. The study builds upon earlier work demonstrating A20's anti-inflammatory activity and reveals its role in preventing disease development.
Researchers have created a comprehensive map of human thymus cells, identifying over 50 different cell states that change in abundance throughout life. This atlas has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of T cell development and inform new clinical applications, including therapies for immune-related diseases.
Recent technical developments and restrictions on chemicals have renewed interest in natural product drug discovery. Essential oil components show promise as sources of new drugs due to their unique properties and potential therapeutic applications.
Researchers found that novelty activates dopamine neurons, promoting associative learning in animals and humans. This discovery has implications for improving learning strategies and designing more efficient machine learning algorithms.
Researchers developed NicheNet, a method to analyze intercellular communication, using machine learning and statistical techniques. The tool helps gain insight into how gene expression is regulated by interacting cells, with potential applications in immunology and tumor biology.
Researchers from VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research found that HMGB1 controls the actions of neutrophils, a specific type of immune cells, in skin wounds and that this is crucial for cancer initiation. Targeting this pathway could be beneficial in diabetic wound care and in patients suffering from skin blistering diseases.
Scientists have identified nearly thousand ISG15 sites on protein targets during bacterial infection, revealing a link between ISG15, cellular metabolism, and autophagy. This discovery may lead to novel antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers discover that non-cancerous liver cells around tumors have the capacity to kill nearby tumor cells when hyperactivated, leading to reduced tumor burden and longer survival in mice. The study identifies YAP and TAZ genes as driving this anti-tumor mechanism.
A Belgian-American research team has uncovered a new mechanism of neurodegeneration in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, revealing that tRNA synthetases can interfere with gene transcription in the nucleus. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for CMT patients.
A team of scientists discovered that classic Belgian beers, including Gueuze and Trappist ales, are fermented with rare hybrid yeasts combining DNA from traditional ale yeast and stress-resistant feral yeasts. This unique adaptation allows for better fermentation capacity and special aromas.
Researchers found that noradrenaline is necessary for astrocytes to respond to local stimulation, effectively integrating sensory and behavioral information. Astrocytes can track distinct information during behavior, including arousal state and sensory experience.
Researchers have found that Saccharomyces boulardii, a probiotic yeast, produces uniquely excessive amounts of acetic acid. This discovery may pave the path towards improved treatments for intestinal diseases. The study also showed that modifying the yeast's genetic basis could enhance its probiotic effects.
A new study identifies PoEMs as promoting breast cancer metastasis through the loosening of lymph vessel connections. Removing these cells reduces the ability of breast cancer cells to spread. The findings suggest targeting PoEMs in cancer therapy, specifically targeting cancer-associated lymphatic vessels.
Researchers uncover a molecular mechanism controlling neural stem cell development, enabling precise differentiation into neurons. The discovery sheds light on brain developmental processes and has implications for stem cell biology and cancer research.
Researchers found a way to stimulate the waking of persisters, dormant bacterial cells that evade antibiotics and lead to chronic infections. Breaking links in the 'pore' formed by peptides enables these sleeping bacteria to regain energy and infect the host again.
Researchers develop Nanobodies that target the Sap S-layer protein on the surface of the anthrax bacterium, slowing its growth and killing it. The study provides hope for a new treatment option to combat this deadly disease.
A high salt diet has been shown to inhibit tumor growth in mice by altering the function of certain immune cells called myeloid-derived suppressor cells. This effect could be beneficial for improving anti-cancer immunotherapies, but further research is needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential.
Researchers have discovered a new treatment approach for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) that targets the Notch signaling pathway with greater safety and efficacy than previous treatments. The findings, published in Science Translational Medicine, show promise for translating this therapy to patients.
Researchers discovered Charcot-Leyden Crystals are abundant in airway mucus, stimulate immune system and promote inflammation, which can be treated with newly developed antibodies. These antibodies can dissolve the crystals to reduce asthma features.
Researchers identified a new molecular mechanism causing rheumatoid arthritis, finding that death of macrophages triggers the disease. The protein A20 was found to prevent macrophage death and protect against arthritis.
A new study uncovers the presence of 'hidden' microglia in the brain, which show a resemblance to microglia associated with Alzheimer's disease. The researchers hope to find strategies for controlling these immune cells to develop future treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
A team of scientists at VIB and KU Leuven has discovered a key role for Prl-1 phosphatase in specifying the formation of neuronal circuits in the brain. The discovery, made using a genetic single-cell approach in fruit flies, sheds light on how complex brain patterns develop during early development.
Researchers studied how microglia cells in the brain respond to toxic proteins associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study found that age, sex, and genetics affect microglial response, suggesting that modulating this response could lead to new treatments.
Studies in rats reveal that highly demanding and rewarding experiences result in stronger memories due to replay processes in the hippocampus. This finding provides new insights into memory consolidation, which could lead to treatments that strengthen memories and better understand memory decline in diseases like dementia.
A new chemical tool has been identified to block endocytosis in plants, a process essential for nutrient uptake and cellular signaling. The compound, ES9-17, was developed through an international collaboration and retains the ability to bind clathrin, a protein involved in endocytosis.
Scientists have identified a key enzyme that regulates cell size in plant roots, leading to more robust and productive plants. This discovery could lead to innovative techniques to improve root architecture, resulting in higher crop yields and improved resilience to environmental stresses.
A Belgian team developed a new bioinformatics method called cisTopic to analyze gene regulation in cells. The method discovers common topics of gene control across cells, revealing unique gene activity patterns. This enables researchers to understand cellular diversity and its implications for diseases.
Neuronal feedback from sites below the spinal cord injury plays a crucial role in early recovery and maintaining regained motor functions. Incomplete injuries can recover spontaneously with activating specific sensory feedback pathways promoting detour circuits.
A team of scientists has unraveled the three-dimensional structure and molecular mechanism of ATP citrate lyase, a key enzyme in fatty acid and cholesterol production. The findings offer new insights into the origins of cellular respiration and have potential therapeutic implications for metabolic diseases and cancer.
Researchers have unraveled the three-dimensional structure of ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), a central metabolic enzyme crucial for fatty acid and cholesterol production. The study's findings provide new insights into ACLY's role in metabolism, evolution, and potential therapeutic targeting of cancer and metabolic diseases.
Researchers from VIB have developed a map to model cellular dynamics, highlighting outstanding challenges and pioneering new ways of evaluating computational biology methods. This breakthrough enables the study of individual cell trajectories, revealing complex structures such as cell development in diseases.
Researchers developed a comprehensive map of cell developmental dynamics using AI, enabling the evaluation of computational biology methods. The study highlights outstanding challenges and pioneers new ways to assess trajectory inference methods, leading to improved disease understanding.
Scientists have developed edible antibodies that can survive digestion and reach the gut, offering an alternative to traditional treatments. The technology has potential applications in fighting gut infections, treating inflammatory disorders, and preventing diarrhea in pigs and humans.
Researchers found a class of enzymes called metacaspases play a crucial role in plant immune response, releasing calcium and peptides to prevent infection. The discovery opens up new avenues for improving crop breeding techniques and boosting plant immunity.
A team of scientists developed a machine learning algorithm that identifies children with juvenile arthritis with nearly 90% accuracy from a simple blood test. The new findings pave the way for improving diagnosis and predicting which patients respond best to different treatment options.