Scientists at NERF have discovered a novel method to measure respiration dynamics, revealing that mice compare the strength of smells obtained through both nostrils for odor source localization. This process involves information transfer between brain hemispheres and has valuable implications for Alzheimer's research.
Researchers discover how tau prevents synaptic transmission in nerve cells, even before forming tangles, which disrupts brain cell function. This mechanism may pave the way for a treatment to prevent death of nerve cells.
A team of scientists has discovered that breast cancer cells rely on a different nutrient metabolism to produce energy than normal cells and non-metastasizing cancer cells. Inhibiting this process reduces metastases by over 60% in mouse models.
Researchers discover progranulin's novel function as a chaperone for lysosomal protease cathepsin D, contributing to neuronal dysfunction in FTD. Progranulin knockout mice show impaired axonal regeneration after nerve injury, highlighting its importance in neurotrophic support.
Research on fruit flies reveals that those lacking the Fragile X protein have less inhibition among their neurons, resulting in impaired information processing and increased anxiety. This finding provides valuable insights into human brain diseases and may lead to new treatments for Fragile X syndrome.
Researchers have discovered that FES, a protein previously linked to cancer development, actually acts as a tumor suppressor in melanoma. The study found that restoring FES expression through epigenetic drugs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy against melanoma.
A global understanding of breast cancer dissemination is crucial to improve treatment, and this study reveals that most metastases originate from a single precursor. Analyzing the genomic profile of metastases can help make therapeutic decisions, particularly for targeted treatments.
Combining anti-angiogenic and immune-stimulating therapies creates specialized blood vessels that deliver cancer-fighting immune cells to tumors, leading to better therapeutic outcomes. This breakthrough research may improve treatments and prolong survival periods for patients.
Researchers from VIB-UGent discovered a gene named PLA1 that significantly increases plant growth and seed yield in maize. This discovery can boost crop production in extreme weather conditions and offer harvest security even in a changing climate.
Researchers identified a critical phosphorylation process in PHD2 that slows down cancer growth. Blocking the enzyme PP2A/B55 restores PHD2 function, suggesting a promising new approach for targeted cancer therapy.
Researchers found that children of parents with C9orf72 mutations are more likely to develop frontotemporal dementia and ALS at a younger age, without accelerated disease progression. The study suggests that the length of the C9orf72 repeat is determinative for the age of onset of the disease.
Researchers developed Nanobodies targeting RSV's fusion protein, neutralizing the virus and providing anti-viral activity in laboratory assays and animal models. The approach holds promise for developing a new therapy against RSV, a leading cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children.
Researchers identified cardiolipin, a mitochondrial lipid, as a potential target for reducing Parkinson's symptoms. Blocking the FASN protein increased cardiolipin levels and improved mitochondrial function, providing new insights into the disease.
Belgian scientists discovered protein Taok3 plays a key role in B cell development, leading to new molecular therapies for genetic conditions, asthma and diabetes. Mice genetically lacking Taok3 developed fewer type B immune cells, making them more susceptible to bacterial infections.
Researchers have identified two specific dendritic cell groups, cDC1 and cDC2, present in human tumor tissues that stimulate strong anti-tumor immune responses. These cells show promise for developing innovative cancer immunotherapies by vaccinating tumors with the patient's own immune system.
A new genetic immunodeficiency has been characterized, allowing for the identification of patients at risk of fatal illnesses. Researchers have developed a unique platform to detect subtle immune system defects, enabling clinicians to provide timely treatments and preventive measures.
A study published in Nature discovered that fat utilization is required for the development and growth of lymphatic vessels, a key route for cancer cell spread. Researchers found that inhibiting fat usage can control lymphatic vessel growth, offering new avenues for preventing metastasis and treating complications like lymphedema.
Researchers discovered that NLRP2 is specifically produced by egg cells and becomes more important to fertility as the mice age. The study suggests that mutations in NLRP2 may give rise to early menopause and other conditions associated with maternal fertility decline.
Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have developed a diagnostic tool for Familial Mediterranean Fever, which can accurately diagnose the disease and prevent kidney failure. The tool detects changes in the body's immune reaction to pyrin, a protein mutated in FMF, and has been validated in 13 patients.
Researchers have discovered unexpected cells in the protective membranes covering the brain that produce new neurons after birth. This finding challenges current ideas about the brain's ability to heal and regenerate, and opens up new possibilities for developing new therapies for brain damage or neurodegeneration.
Restoring dysfunctional blood vessels in tumors can prevent cancer cells from spreading and improve chemotherapy delivery. Healthy tumor vessels also enhance the supply of immune cells, which is crucial for emerging immunotherapy treatments.
Research reveals that mutations in succinate dehydrogenase lead to distinct disease phenotypes, with tumors showing loss of complex I and impaired cellular fitness. Neurodegeneration, on the other hand, does not result in loss of complex I, leading to a metabolically different phenotype.
A new technology platform has been developed to target cancer by inhibiting a well-validated cancer driver through amyloid formation. This approach could lead to the development of novel medicines for a wide array of diseases.
New research reveals that toxic proteins in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's spread through the brain via synapses, with genetic risk factors playing a critical role. Understanding this mechanism opens new perspectives for treatment and potential therapeutic avenues to block protein transmission.
A team of scientists, led by prof. Savvas Savvides, used integrative structural biology to study how GIF, a protein secreted by the Orf virus, inactivates key cytokines of the host immune system. The research reveals unique strategies that viruses use to counter antiviral responses and highlights great potential for innovative therapies.
Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have uncovered a novel protein complex that controls plant tissue repair. This breakthrough could enable the efficient cultivation of crops and make them more resistant to parasites like those found in rice, wheat, and bananas.
A VIB and Ghent University research team has identified key genes that enable plants to respond to drought stress. These core genes play a pivotal role in a plant's defense mechanism against drought, allowing for advanced breeding and genome engineering efforts to create drought-tolerant crop plants.
Researchers found that manipulating macrophages' metabolism can prevent tumor cells from spreading by stealing glucose, leading to a structured vessel barrier. The study's findings may lead to new cancer therapies targeting mTOR inhibitors and improving treatment outcomes for patients.
Researchers found that beer yeasts have been domesticated in the 16th century, leading to stronger signs of adaptation. In contrast, wine yeasts show fewer signs of domestication due to their limited interaction with humans.
A multidisciplinary team from VIB-KU Leuven has developed a novel technique called QuASIMoDOH to analyze changes in cell membranes. The method can map out polar distributions, allowing researchers to study alterations caused by diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Macrophages have been shown to play a crucial role in enthesitis, inflammation of tendons. Researchers found that blocking JAK inhibitors can prevent the increase of STAT1 and successfully treat Achilles enthesitis. This discovery may offer new treatment options for patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases.
Research reveals that hypoxia, or low oxygen levels, can cause epigenetic alterations leading to cancer growth. Normalizing oxygen supply inhibits these changes, suggesting new anti-cancer drug targets.
Researchers at VIB-KU Leuven have unraveled the mechanism by which DYT1 dystonia causes cellular defects, linking it to dysregulation of lipids. The findings may lead to new medical approaches to overcome this poorly understood condition.
Researchers have identified NEAT1 as a key player in the survival of cancer cells, but its loss increases chemosensitivity and cell death. This discovery may lead to the development of new drugs targeting NEAT1 to enhance cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered that bacteria in the human gut have specialized functions and are not always beneficial. The study found that certain bacteria can produce unhealthy compounds when fermenting proteins, contradicting previous assumptions about the link between diversity and host health.
Scientists have developed a set of universal protein tags that enable accurate quantification of proteins using targeted proteomics techniques. The new tags, named PQS, are designed to work with selective reaction monitoring (SRM) and eliminate the need for labor-intensive assay development.
Researchers have discovered that caspase 12 does not act as a dominant-negative regulator of caspase-1 activation and inflammasomes. This finding challenges a stubborn dogma in the field and opens up new avenues for studying caspase 12's role in physiological processes.
Researchers have discovered a signature of gut bacteria associated with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease with no effective treatment. The findings may lead to a novel diagnosis tool and microbiota-based therapies, enabling better identification of PSC patients and personalized treatment approaches.
Researchers created cell lines with targeted chromosomal deletions to study the role of specific chromosomal losses in cancer development. The findings suggest that chromosomal engineering is a more effective approach than studying individual genes or micro-RNAs.
Belgian scientists developed Virotrap, a viral particle sorting approach that preserves protein complexes during purification. This method catches bait proteins and their associated partners in virus-like particles budded from human cells.
A large-scale study has identified 69 factors linked to gut flora composition, including diet, health, and lifestyle. The research provides valuable insights for future disease studies and clinical trials.
Researchers have identified a molecular signaling mechanism underlying increased inflammation in patients with psoriasis due to specific CARD14 gene mutations. The study suggests MALT1 inhibitors may be therapeutically beneficial, offering promising results for treatment.
Researchers at VIB-UGent demonstrate that adult circulating monocytes can differentiate into macrophages with identical tissue-specific functions and self-maintenance capacities as those from embryonic origin. This discovery paves the way for monocyte-based cellular therapy in diseases associated with macrophage dysfunction, such as pu...
Research suggests that haemodynamic forces play a critical role in shaping endothelial cells during angiogenesis, leading to the expansion and maintenance of vascular lumens. The study's findings challenge previous ideas about blood flow's impact on vascular development.
Researchers at VIB have discovered that killed tumor cells can be used as a vaccine to stimulate the immune system to prevent cancer cell growth. This finding opens up new perspectives for using necroptosis in immunotherapy and screening for cancer drugs that induce this type of immunogenic cell death.
Researchers have identified the genetic mutation causing PAAND, a rare inflammatory disease, and found that repurposed anti-arthritis drug anakinra can effectively treat the condition. The treatment was tested on a volunteer from an English family with striking results.
Researchers at VIB, KU Leuven and UGent have discovered a non-coding RNA gene called SAMMSON that is specifically expressed in human malignant melanoma. The growth of aggressive skin cancer is highly dependent on this gene, paving the way for improved diagnostic tools and treatment options.
A new study discovered that a common genetic defect in beta cells may underlie both form of diabetes. The research found that genetics is critical for the survival of beta cells, and a genetic predisposition for fragile beta cells may lead to diabetes development.
Scientists at VIB discover that mutations at specific positions can suppress protein aggregation, increasing solubility. This breakthrough could enable the production of protein drugs and enzymes with improved stability and functionality.
Researchers have discovered alternative protein versions, known as proteoforms, which are stable and tightly regulated, challenging the single gene-single protein theory. This study adds an extra dimension to the human protein landscape, potentially affecting gene editing techniques.