Breast cancer cells are inherently changeable, morphing from one cell type to another at the molecular level. This feature may promote resistance to certain therapies. The research provides new insights into how cancer cells develop and evolve within tumours.
A new study uses cellular barcoding to pinpoint cells responsible for breast cancer's spread, shedding light on how chemotherapy works and identifying targets for new treatments. Researchers hope to develop targeted therapies by understanding the molecular basis of cancer cell behavior.
A study found a significant decrease in type 1 diabetes diagnoses in children aged 0-4 years after the introduction of the rotavirus vaccine in 2007. The researchers suggest that preventing rotavirus infection may also reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes.
The study will investigate the impacts of iron deficiency on infant brain development and physical growth. The trials aim to recruit over 6000 women and children in developing countries.
Researchers have discovered how a protein called Parkin protects neurons in the brain by repairing internal damage that may otherwise kill them. The study found that Parkin 'buys time' for cells to respond to damage and triggers cell death, potentially leading to neuronal loss in Parkinson's disease.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identified a new component of the cell death machinery, protein VDAC2, which plays a crucial role in driving apoptosis in cancer cells. The study reveals that VDAC2 helps Bax drive apoptosis and may fine-tune cancer cells' response to anti-cancer agents.
A new study has shown that genomic profiling can provide meaningful information for more than half of people with rare cancers, influencing diagnosis and treatment. The trial found that 20% of participants received a new treatment plan, and 6% were given a new diagnosis.
Melbourne scientists discovered how mutant p53 promotes cancer development by 'tackling' the normal protein and blocking its protective role. This allows cancer cells to undergo further genetic changes that accelerate tumour growth.
Researchers have discovered how cancer cells' cell replication is derailed, leading to rapid tumour expansion. The findings could help predict how cancer cells respond to chemotherapy and improve understanding of cancer evolution.
A team of scientists has identified a key protein that triggers the activation of mammary stem cells during puberty, leading to the rapid expansion of the mammary gland. FoxP1 plays a crucial role in switching off proteins that keep mammary stem cells dormant, allowing them to divide and drive growth.
Researchers at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have produced the first definitive 3D image of how insulin binds to its receptor on the surface of cells. This image could inform the design of faster-acting and longer-lasting insulin therapies, potentially benefiting millions worldwide.
A new blood test that detects circulating tumour DNA is being tested to determine if cancer patients need chemotherapy after surgery. The trial aims to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from aggressive treatment and low-risk patients who can avoid chemotherapy.
Pax5 helps maintain immune health by efficiently organizing genetic information in immune cells. The protein's organization skills are crucial for cells to access specific instructions and function properly, with disruptions linked to increased cancer risk.
Researchers have developed a laboratory model that accurately evaluates MCL-1 inhibitors, enabling the identification of right patients for these drugs. The model predicts how cancer patients will respond to the drug in the clinic, allowing for effective treatment and potential breakthroughs in cancer therapy.
A recent study has identified a rare genetic mutation in three patients with early-onset acute myeloid leukaemia, highlighting the importance of DNA damage in driving cancer development. The study found that these patients lacked a DNA repair protein called MBD4, leading to increased DNA damage and accelerated ageing.
Australian researchers discovered that the increased presence of protein NLRP1 leads to fewer good bacteria and anti-inflammatory molecules in the gut, resulting in higher levels of inflammation. This finding could help inform prevention and treatment strategies for IBD.
Researchers identified subtle epigenetic differences that explain why some ovarian cancer patients respond to PARPi drugs, while others do not. The study adds to a vital checklist for matching patients with the right therapy for their cancer.
Melbourne researchers have discovered a way to halt the invasion of the toxoplasmosis-causing parasite into cells, depriving it of a key factor necessary for its growth. This breakthrough could lead to a vaccine or treatment for Toxoplasmosis and shed light on general processes involved in other diseases caused by related parasites.
Subtle changes in protein regulation can cause severe face and brain developmental abnormalities, highlighting the importance of striking a healthy balance between too little and too much cell death. The study suggests that excessive or inadequate cell death during embryonic development can lead to devastating birth defects or cancer.
Australian researchers have discovered a team of tiny molecules, called microRNAs, that can reverse a 'switch' in cancer cells making them less aggressive. The discovery could lead to safer and more effective cancer treatments by combining the molecules with chemotherapy.
Researchers have mapped the first contact between Plasmodium vivax malaria parasites and human red blood cells using cryo-EM technology. The discovery provides critical information for developing potential new antimalarial drugs and vaccines.
A research team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute identified the molecular trigger for necroptosis, a type of controlled cell death that can lead to diseases like stroke, organ transplant injury, and kidney disease. The discovery could lead to new therapeutic targets for treating cancer and immune disorders.
Researchers have discovered how p53 stops the development of lymphoma and potentially other cancers by targeting specific DNA repair genes. This new information could help doctors identify patients at risk and develop safer treatments.
The study of SOCS1 and JAK proteins reveals a detailed structure that may guide the development of new cancer drugs. The protein pair is implicated in driving diseases including cancer and inflammatory conditions.
Australian researchers have made a surprise discovery that many organs and tissues do not require apoptosis to develop normally, suggesting a link between abnormalities in cell death processes and common birth defects. The study also identified the pro-death protein BOK and its role in apoptosis.
A global charity grant will support researchers in Australia and the US to identify 'drug-like' molecules for treating malaria. The new treatments aim to target deadly forms of the disease, such as Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax, with a focus on long-term effectiveness.
A Melbourne research team discovered that a protein called NF-kB1, which was previously thought to drive cancer development, actually plays a critical role in preventing stomach cancers. The study also found that immunotherapy may be a significant tool for treating stomach cancers driven by chronic inflammation.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have identified a unique molecular signature in the blood that could detect aggressive lung cancer and predict response to immunotherapy, offering new hope for patients with limited treatment options.
Researchers have discovered how CAR-T cell therapy kills cancer cells, revealing a key mechanism that can inform the design of safer and more efficient treatments. The study could pave the way for the adaptation of CAR-T therapy to treat solid cancers, including notoriously hard-to-treat brain tumors.
A new study suggests adapting the WHO eradication strategy for yaws by implementing multiple rounds of mass drug administration and targeting a broader geographic area. The research found that this approach can capture those not present during the first round and prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains.
Scientists have discovered key regulators that control the inflammatory response in chronic diseases such as Crohn's disease and multiple sclerosis. The NOD2 pathway plays a critical role in detecting bacterial invaders, but faults in its regulation can lead to uncontrolled inflammation.
Researchers successfully developed antibodies that disabled the Plasmodium vivax malaria parasite from infecting humans by hijacking a protein crucial for iron delivery. The discovery solved a decades-long mystery and brings the world closer to a potential effective vaccine against P.vivax malaria.
A joint effort by breast cancer researchers and bioinformaticians has provided new insights into breast development, revealing previously unrecognized cell types. The study used single-cell RNA-sequencing to identify a dramatic shift in gene expression around puberty.
The Cure Brain Cancer Foundation has awarded a $345,000 fellowship to Dr Ryan Cross to develop cancer-fighting immune T cells for brain cancer treatment. The research aims to improve patient survival rates and develop personalised treatments for children and adults with brain cancer.
Researchers have produced a 3D map of SgK223, a molecular scaffold that plays a critical role in the development and spread of aggressive breast, colon, and pancreatic cancers. The map will enable targeting of specific regions critical for its function, potentially leading to novel strategies for cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered that carbohydrates on malaria parasites play a critical role in infecting human and mosquito hosts. The study suggests steps for improving the malaria vaccine, which has been only partially effective in preventing the disease.
A Melbourne research team has identified a protein called SIDT2 as critical for cells to detect viral components and initiate an immune response. This discovery has important implications for delivering new therapeutics based on dsRNA.
Researchers have developed a new class of anti-cancer agents targeting cancer cells' 'Achilles' heel', improving outcomes for aggressive triple negative and HER2-positive breast cancers. The treatment, S63845, was found to be highly effective when combined with standard therapies.
Researchers have identified a new target for treating inflammatory skin conditions by depleting the RIPK1 protein. This finding offers a potential 'upstream' approach to treating conditions such as psoriasis, which currently rely on immune suppressant treatments with potential complications.
Researchers found a way to improve the anti-cancer effect of Smac mimetics by inhibiting MK2 protein, leading to a potent new combination therapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The discovery provides hope for developing safer and more powerful treatments for cancers with few treatment options.
Researchers identified a biomarker that better categorizes patients who would respond to FGFR inhibitors, improving clinical trial design. Combining FGFR inhibitors with chemotherapy has the potential to improve treatment outcomes.
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute have found a new way to use immunotherapy to treat triple negative breast cancers arising in women with BRCA1 mutations. The combination of two immunotherapy drugs effectively controls tumour growth and improves survival rates in laboratory models.
A study by Australian researchers has found that testosterone suppresses the production of immune cells that trigger allergic asthma. The finding may lead to new, targeted treatments for the disease. Women are two times more likely to develop asthma than men after puberty due to testosterone's protective effects.
Scientists have identified two parasite proteins that allow Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites to quickly traverse human cells and infect liver cells. This discovery could lead to the development of new antimalarial treatments and vaccines to combat the disease.
Researchers have discovered that the protein Myb plays a vital role in regulating the immune response, preventing overreaction and development of inflammatory diseases. The study found that Myb gives regulatory T cells the authority to control their function depending on the level of threat.
Researchers have created a detailed atomic map of the frontline antimalarial drug mefloquine, showing how its structure could be tweaked to increase effectiveness. The study aims to create a more targeted and safer treatment by redesigning the drug's molecular machinery.
Australian scientists have discovered five key genetic regions that increase the risk of developing Macular Telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel), a degenerative eye disease leading to blindness. The findings will help researchers understand the disease and explore ways to prevent or treat its progression.
A team of researchers has identified a long-lived type of stem cell in the breast that grows mammary glands during pregnancy and may be linked to high-risk breast cancer. The discovery reveals new insights into how cancers arise from long-lived stem cells.
Researchers have found a protein called BCL-2 crucial in controlling the reservoir of NK cells, which may be vulnerable to new medicines that inhibit it. Boosting NK cell numbers with IL-15 could offer a valuable approach to boosting immunity against viral infections or cancer.
Australian researchers discovered that immune T cells develop in 'families' programmed to divide and die at different times after an infection is detected. This understanding may underpin future improvements in vaccination and the treatment of autoimmune diseases.