VIB researchers have identified a protein, Nrp1, that suppresses the anti-tumor activity of macrophages. Blocking Nrp1 restores this immune response, leading to reduced tumor growth and improved prognosis.
Scientists at VIB and Ghent University identified a new protein, ERF115 transcription factor, which regulates quiescent center cells. This discovery explains why plants can live for hundreds of years while animals typically do not.
Researchers identified key function of CYFP1 at synapses, orchestrating two biological processes to regulate brain cell connections. Poorly developed and dysfunctional synapses are linked to conditions like autism, schizophrenia, and intellectual disabilities.
Research finds high levels of Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein (FMRP) in human breast tissue correlate with increased risk and spread of breast cancer. FMRP acts as a master regulator controlling aggressive cancer progression.
Researchers developed yeast strains that efficiently produce bio-ethanol from waste, overcoming previous limitations. The new strains have unprecedented efficiency and robustness, making them suitable for industrial fermentation processes.
Research reveals that individuals with lower bacterial species in their intestines are more susceptible to developing complications related to obesity, including cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. A diverse flora appears to play a crucial role in maintaining overall health.
Researchers identified a new enzyme in the lignin biosynthetic pathway that reduces lignin content and increases cellulose conversion to glucose. This breakthrough has the potential to increase the efficiency of biofuel production from biomass by up to four-fold.
Researchers have identified glycolysis as a key mechanism for endothelial cell energy production and blood vessel formation. Blocking glycolysis could prevent excessive angiogenesis in diseases like cancer, offering new therapeutic options.
Researchers suggest targeting APPL protein for new Alzheimer's drugs, as it ensures optimal communication between brain cells. This approach may be more effective than solely focusing on breaking down Amyloid beta.
Researchers recommend against testing bexarotene on patients due to inconsistent results in various animal test models. The study highlights the importance of rigorous scientific evaluation and reproducibility.
Researchers at VIB developed a mouse model to study the molecular mechanisms determining cellular identity, enabling targeted manipulation of iPS cells for safer and more effective therapies. This breakthrough advances cell therapy using iPS cells for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers have identified 7 new genes with a key role in T-ALL, a form of leukemia primarily affecting children. The study also found that defects in the ribosome can play a role in cancer activation, offering potential new targets for treatment.
Researchers in Ghent have identified a new mutation in the CTNNA3 gene associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a hereditary heart condition that can lead to sudden cardiac death. The discovery could improve ARVC screening by including the CTNNA3 gene in genetic tests.
Scientists from VIB and KU Leuven discovered a new target molecule to develop a treatment against Alzheimer's disease. β-arrestin 2 plays a role in regulating the γ-secretase complex function and development of the disease. This research opens a new avenue for treating the disease at an early stage.
Researchers at VIB and Oxyrane have created a new technology that produces enzymes for metabolic disorders like Pompe disease more efficiently than current treatments. The novel method uses yeast cells instead of mammalian cells, resulting in 17 times more efficient absorption by patient cells.
Researchers have discovered a unique defence mechanism of the tuberculosis pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which protects sulphur-containing proteins from oxidation. The protein mycoredoxin-1 plays a crucial role in this repair mechanism, and disabling it may offer new ways to combat the disease.
A research team at VIB has identified a new anti-inflammatory mechanism of the protein A20, which can help treat autoimmune diseases like Rheumatoid Arthritis. By understanding how A20 interacts with signaling pathways, scientists can develop new therapies to combat inflammation and disrupt the immune system's attack on its own tissues.
Research by VIB/KU Leuven scientists identifies HUWE1 as the culprit behind intellectual disability in some patients, a condition affecting approximately 15% of cases. The study's findings open up possibilities for detecting and treating X-linked intellectual disabilities through targeted tests and further research.
Researchers have discovered a molecule that could lead to a future ALS treatment, modifying the course of the disease in zebrafish models. The EphA4 receptor was found to play a key role in the mechanism of ALS, with its expression linked to disease severity and recovery.
Researchers have confirmed that normalizing blood vessels by blocking oxygen sensor PHD2 can make chemotherapy more effective. This strategy also reduces the harmful side effects of chemotherapy on healthy organs.
Agnieszka Gembarska and Chris Marine discovered a new way to combat melanoma by inhibiting the interaction between MDM4 and p53, restoring tumor suppressive effect in melanoma cells. This approach shows promise for improving clinical response to treatment, particularly when combined with BRAF inhibitors.
Researchers discovered that mice without NLRP6 receptor protein are better protected against bacterial infections and can more easily remove bacteria. This finding opens up a new therapeutic track for treating bacterial infections beyond antibiotics.
Researchers have imaged the structure of the S-layer protein coat in bacteria down to individual atoms, revealing its role as a protective layer. The discovery provides insights into how bacteria interact with their environment and could lead to new nanomaterials and drug delivery methods.
Researchers at VIB and KU Leuven discovered a novel mechanism for exosome formation involving Alix, syntenin, and syndecan proteins. This finding has implications for understanding the role of exosomes in cancer, metastasis, and other diseases.
The Tomato Genome Consortium has sequenced the genomes of domesticated tomatoes and its wild ancestor Solanum pimpinellifolium, revealing detailed insights into the plant's genetic makeup. The sequences provide a better understanding of how genetics and environmental factors interact to determine crop health and viability.
Researchers have identified a biomarker that can predict which patients will benefit from bevacizumab treatment. The variant in DNA found in blood samples of cancer patients showed predictive value for treatment with bevacizumab, potentially allowing for patient-tailored use of the drug and increasing the chances of survival.
Researchers found that vitamin K2 can restore energy production in defective mitochondria, similar to those found in Parkinson's patients. This discovery offers potential treatment options for patients with the disease.
Researchers at VIB discovered a new transport mechanism for auxin, allowing plants to direct their growth towards the light and absorb sunlight efficiently. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient crop growth and higher yields by regulating auxin levels in specific areas.
Researchers at VIB have made a breakthrough in understanding how plant hormones influence stomata formation. The study reveals that brassinosteroids directly interact with the transcription factor speechless to initiate new stomata development.
A new study has discovered a way to prevent septic shock by blocking a specific form of cell death called necroptosis. The approach fully protects mice against the fatal inflammation, offering a potential new target for therapy. Researchers found that eliminating RIPK molecules led to full protection against sepsis.
The study reveals unique genes that contribute to the spider mite's resistance to pesticides and its ability to produce silk threads. This breakthrough provides new insights into the evolution of arthropods and offers opportunities for developing more effective crop protection strategies.
Research reveals VEGF's crucial role in regulating skin cancer stem cells, which are key to sustaining tumor growth. The study also identifies Neuropilin 1 as a critical receptor in this process, highlighting new targets for cancer therapy.
Researchers have discovered a strategy to accelerate arteriogenesis, allowing blood vessels to bypass occlusions and improve blood perfusion. This approach has therapeutic potential for treating ischemic diseases such as heart attacks and strokes.
Blocking a transport pathway through brain cells offers new prospects for preventing Alzheimer's disease development. Researchers discovered that the amyloid beta precursor protein and beta secretase enzyme follow different paths, leading to the formation of amyloid plaques.
A defective gene can contribute to the onset of rheumatoid arthritis by disrupting inflammatory responses, and a new mouse model reveals this connection. Researchers identified A20 as a key player in controlling inflammation, suggesting it may be a target for developing new treatments.
Researchers have developed a mouse model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and discovered a potential therapy using HDAC6 inhibitors, which halted damage to nerves and reversed symptoms. This treatment could offer new hope for an incurable disease affecting approximately one in 2,500 individuals.
Researchers have determined the complete three-dimensional atomic structure of an activated GPCR complexing with its G protein, shedding light on transmembrane signaling. The beta-2 adrenergic receptor's function was unknown despite being a key target for anti-asthma and blood pressure medications.
Researchers block PlGF to increase life expectancy in CML mice, even those resistant to imatinib. Chronic myeloid leukemia's uncontrolled white blood cell production is disrupted by a disruption in maturing process.
Researchers have identified a new target for combating cystitis: the thread-like structures on E. coli bacteria that adhere to bladder cells. Understanding this mechanism can lead to the development of new antibiotics, offering hope for treating recurring urinary tract infections.
Plant hormone ethylene plays a major role in shutting down growth inhibition during mild drought stress. The study shows that plants grow slower when water becomes limiting but can resume growth if the stress is temporary. By targeting this response, crop varieties can be developed to improve productivity and reduce yield losses.
The study classifies gut microbiota into three distinct groups: Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Ruminococcus. This classification is associated with variations in nutrient uptake and medicine efficiency. The research also reveals connections between the gut type and BMI, obesity, and vitamin production.
The discovery of the Skywalker enzyme reveals a crucial step in vesicle recycling, leading to improved signal transmission and potentially new diagnostics and therapies for Parkinson's disease. Understanding this process may help maintain optimal communication balance between brain cells.
A study published in Nature Chemical Biology reveals that mutations in the p53 protein lead to protein aggregation, disrupting its protective function. This causes uncontrolled cell growth and tumor formation, highlighting a new mechanism for cancer development.
Research findings challenge traditional views on cancer treatment, revealing Cop1's role in tumor suppression rather than promotion. The study suggests that inhibiting Cop1 could stimulate cell proliferation in cancer cells.
Researchers at VIB and Ghent University have developed a new tuberculosis vaccine that affords better protection against the disease by triggering an immune reaction in the body. The new vaccine works differently from existing vaccines and acquires its extra protective value by emitting signals that provoke inflammation.
Scientists have developed a technique to freeze the adrenaline receptor in one position, allowing them to determine its structure and develop new or better drugs. This breakthrough has significant prospects for medicine, particularly for treating asthma and heart disease, as well as understanding other GPCRs.
VIB-K.U. Leuven scientists have decoded a potential new anti-cancer mechanism by normalizing abnormal tumor blood vessels through HRG, which prevents metastasis and enhances chemotherapy efficiency. This mechanism offers alternative possibilities for cancer treatment.
Researchers have identified a new genetic marker, DenMark, which sheds light on neuronal connectivity in Drosophila, providing valuable insights into brain development and diseases such as Alzheimer's and multiple sclerosis. The discovery paves the way for further studies using the fruit fly as a model organism.
Researchers have identified new mutations in the SPTLC2 gene that play a crucial role in Hereditary Sensory and Autonomous Neuropathy Type 1 (HSAN 1). These findings will lead to more accurate diagnoses, improved genetic counseling, and prenatal testing for affected couples.
Researchers have discovered over 100 new proteins involved in plant cell division, revealing the machinery behind this process for the first time. The newly developed Tandem Affinity Purification (TAP) Platform enables rapid unraveling of protein interactions, advancing crop yield optimization.