A team of researchers discovered that prions can have a beneficial effect on the evolution of yeast cells, allowing them to survive in new environments. This occurs when prions alter the reading of genetic information, leading to changes in the cell's phenotype.
Researchers successfully cloned mice from malignant cancer cells using nuclear transfer. The study reveals that the epigenetic elements of cancer can be reversed, whereas genetic mutations are not.
Researchers discover that cancer cells misuse the Twist protein to bypass multiple steps of metastasis, a process that requires cell invasion and migration. The study suggests potential applications for developing a Twist inhibitor as a therapeutic approach.
Researchers discovered a protein that dissolves amyloid fibers in yeast cells, which could have implications for understanding protein folding processes and the role of environmental factors in evolution. The finding also sheds light on the natural biology of Sup35, a protein involved in genetic translation.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have developed a new experimental model of human breast cancer in mice, allowing for the study of early stage development and tumor growth. The model involves grafting human breast tissue into mouse mammary glands, enabling the production of human breast milk and pre-cancerous tumors.
Scientists have developed a new genomics tool that enables the efficient mapping of genome binding sites for transcription factors in human organs. This technology has been used to study the role of transcription factor HNF4 in type 2 diabetes, revealing its association with about half of all genes needed to make the pancreas and liver.
Researchers discover protein CPEB uses prion properties to strengthen synaptic connections, enabling long-term memory storage. The finding challenges traditional views of prions as toxic and suggests they may play a key role in fundamental processes.
Researchers used baker's yeast to model Parkinson's disease, showing how a small amount of alpha-synuclein protein can cause deadly clusters. The study may lead to improved quality-control mechanisms in cells that normally dispose of misfolded proteins.
The BioMEMS 768 Sequencer can sequence the entire human genome in just one year, outpacing its nearest rival by seven times. The machine's new technology also reduces material costs and minimizes DNA sample requirements.
The GRAM program combines data sets on gene regulatory pathways and messenger RNA levels to determine causal relationships between regulators and genes. By processing these data sets together, researchers can identify regulators that switch genes on or off across the entire genome.
Researchers use genome-wide location analysis to study how a transcription factor Ste12 responds differently under various environmental conditions. By pinpointing the mechanism, scientists can make predictions of cellular behavior and potentially disrupt certain diseases at the cellular level.
Researchers have discovered that the protein MeCP2 regulates gene expression in normal central nervous system cells, and its mutation may be responsible for Rett Syndrome. The study also suggests that BDNF, a highly active gene, plays a key role in the disease.
Researchers have discovered a new protein, TUG, that controls the movement of GLUT4, a glucose transporter in cells. This finding may lead to new drug targets for treating Type 2 diabetes.
Researchers have developed a new software tool called PathBLAST that can represent and compare protein interaction networks from different organisms. The tool uses algorithms to translate the information into a linear code, allowing for rapid comparisons of interaction networks.
A new annotated compound library has been developed to speed up drug discovery, identifying 85 compounds that can inhibit tumor cell growth. The library's potential becomes clear as it can be expanded indefinitely and contains about 90% of all controlled substances and 50% of all drugs approved for use in the US.
Scientists, led by Bartel, develop RNA enzymes in lab that can replicate and act as enzymes, but still short of the 200-nucleotide goal. The RNA-world hypothesis proposes RNA played both DNA and protein roles in early evolution, with researchers re-creating this system to study its feasibility.
Scientists identify several novel pairings with significant therapeutic promise, including a combination that kills drug-resistant yeast while harming human cells. The approach uses high-throughput screens to rapidly identify synergistic combinations that produce desired therapeutic effects.
Researchers found that the Y chromosome contains about 78 genes and has a unique gene repair technique that allows it to preserve critical genes without sexual recombination. This discovery challenges the widely held notion of the Y's 'rotting' nature over the next 5 million years.
Researchers are investigating more virulent forms of fungi to improve understanding of how fungal pathogens interact with the immune system. Studies have shown that genetic mutations can lead to increased virulence in yeasts like Candida albicans, highlighting the need for new anti-fungal drugs.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have discovered a protein called GβL that helps regulate the mTOR pathway. The study reveals that when GβL is absent or disabled, cells become insensitive to nutrient levels and grow abnormally, which may be a cause of disease.
Researchers found that hypomethylation, a process triggered by some anti-cancer drugs, can cause tumors in mice. The study suggests that these drugs may do harm as well as good, and highlights the need for further research into the effects of hypomethylation on cancer development in different tissues.
A novel computational method, MiRscan, has been developed to estimate the total number of miRNA genes in different animals. The researchers used this tool to identify 88 miRNA genes in C. elegans and estimated that miRNA genes comprise nearly one percent of the human genome.
Researchers have successfully created electrical wire using prions as a template, which can be coated with gold and silver particles to conduct electricity. This bottom-up approach could revolutionize the manufacturing of nanoscale microcircuits and machines.
Researchers have developed a novel screening technique that quickly identifies chemical compounds active only against certain cancer-causing genes and proteins. This approach opens the door to custom-tailoring chemotherapy and may lead to more effective treatments for specific types of cancer.
Scientists at Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research developed a screening strategy to identify mutations that cause cancer drug resistance. The study identified 112 mutations, including 15 previously linked to Gleevec resistance, and created a 3D computer model to visualize their location on the BCR/ABL protein.
Scientists identified 10 genes that function similarly to the Oct4 gene, essential for embryonic development. Inefficiently expressed genes in somatic cell-derived clones may contribute to their failure to survive. The study aims to improve cloning efficiency and yield vital information about disease and cell development.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute have created a global script describing how the yeast genome produces life, revealing the complex relationships between genes and proteins. This breakthrough allows for a vast network of interactions to be mapped, enabling targeted pharmaceutical approaches for diseases such as cancer.
A new theory explains how prion diseases get started and kill neurons by showing that small amounts of misfolded PrP in the cytosol can cause cell death. The research also reveals a mechanism for the conversion of normal PrP to its toxic form, which can then spread and aggregate.
Researchers found that Hsp90 helps proteins fold properly by acting as a buffer for subtle genetic mutations. Lowering its function releases hidden genetic changes, which can lead to valuable new traits in plants and animals.
Researchers successfully combined therapeutic cloning, embryonic stem cell differentiation, and gene therapy to treat a genetic immune disorder in mice. The study demonstrates the potential for nuclear transplantation therapy to correct genetic mutations and restore function in human patients.
Researchers from the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have successfully cloned mouse embryos from mature B and T cell nuclei, demonstrating that fully differentiated adult cells can form clones. However, the process is extremely inefficient, and it is more likely that elusive adult stem cells are responsible for cloning.
Researchers used DNA arrays to understand macrophage responses, revealing that specific bacterial components can activate the immune system. This knowledge will help design therapeutics with fewer side effects and improve disease treatment.
This study provides evidence for pathogen-specific gene responses in dendritic cells, offering insights into the tailored immune defense mechanism. The research uses DNA array technology to investigate how dendritic cells discriminate between pathogens and activates specific genes to initiate an immune response.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute identify a new gene, IBD5, on chromosome 5 that increases susceptibility to Crohn's disease. The study provides a strong case for building a haplotype map of the human genome, which could make finding disease-causing genes faster and cheaper.
Scientists have developed a technique to map the circuitry underlying fundamental life processes, shedding light on diseases such as cancer. The study reveals a circular network of regulators regulating regulators controlling the cell cycle, providing new insights into cellular processes and potential therapeutic targets.
Scientists discovered that even seemingly normal-looking clones may have subtle aberrations in gene expression, which can affect development. The study found that mouse clones made from embryonic stem cells exhibited irregular gene expression, highlighting the potential risks of reproductive cloning.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute found key gene FLO11 required for fungal biofilm formation, which can cause serious infections in hip replacements. The discovery offers hope for preventing such infections in the future by understanding how fungi stick to plastic surfaces.
Researchers design 5-Helix protein to block HIV entry into human cells, offering a promising alternative to current treatments. The protein has potential applications as a broad-spectrum inhibitor against various viruses and could serve as a model for generating antibodies against HIV.
A new microarray technique can decipher the function of master switches in a cell by identifying the circuit, or set of genes, they control across the entire genome. This technique allows researchers to unravel complex genetic information in a week, compared to years with conventional methods.
Researchers have successfully cloned a female adult cell and reset its developmental clock, resetting X-inactivation. The study provides the first molecular evidence for the egg's ability to reprogram an adult cell back to its embryonic state.
Scientists have developed a fruit fly model to study malaria parasite development, which may lead to the creation of mosquitoes resistant to malaria. The research could also pave the way for better anti-malarial drugs and transmission-blocking vaccines.
Researchers have successfully cloned mice using embryonic stem cells, achieving the highest efficiency to date. The new technology allows for modification of genetic material before cloning, improving understanding of cloning challenges and potential benefits in biomedical research and agriculture.
Scientists have identified a protein fragment that elicits an immune response against infected cells and cancer cells. The fragment, derived from a heat shock protein, was tested in mice lacking a healthy immune system and showed promising results.
Researchers reconstructed the stages of sex chromosome evolution, tracing the modern X and Y chromosomes back to ordinary autosomes. The study found that these chromosomes differentiated into distinct blocks, with genes clustered together on one chromosome but scattered across the other.
A new DNA chip method has been developed to identify and classify tumor types, offering a promising approach for cancer diagnosis and treatment. The technique uses gene expression analysis to distinguish between different types of leukemia, such as AML and ALL, and may also be used to predict clinical outcomes.
Researchers identified a class of compounds that prevent HIV from infecting cells by blocking the viral entry into the cell. The discovery holds great promise for identifying a new class of oral drugs for treating HIV infection and AIDS.
Researchers at Whitehead Institute successfully transformed normal human cells into cancer cells, shedding light on the complex process of tumor development. The new cell lines offer a unique window into the biochemical and physiologic changes that occur during cancer formation.
A study found that some boys will be infertile due to inherited Y chromosome deletions from their fathers, who underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The deletion region AZFc accounts for 10% of male infertility cases. Genetic counseling is recommended for couples concerned about passing on the condition to their sons.
The 'Demystifying Cancer' program brings together medical professionals, researchers, and experts to provide accurate information about cancer. Participants will learn about current therapies, clinical trials, and how to navigate the Internet for reliable information.
A new technique using self-organizing maps can quickly analyze the activities of thousands of genes, grouping similar genes together. This allows researchers to identify patterns in gene expression and potentially discover unknown genes, leading to new insights into human health and disease.