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No IKAROS, no antibodies

Researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology and Massachusetts General Hospital mapped the genome to understand how IKAROS controls healthy B cell development. They found that IKAROS solves a big problem in B cell development by bringing together far-away genes through looping, leading to proper expression and antibody production.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

3D genome analysis reveals secrets to antibody diversity

Researchers at the Babraham Institute have discovered that the 3D organisation of DNA in B cells allows for genes far away from each other to come together during antibody generation. This finding has implications for understanding why antibody diversity declines with age and suggests potential interventions.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2023

Bitter taste receptors identified

Researchers have identified a new family of genes that encode proteins functioning as bitter taste receptors, providing crucial insight into the organization of the taste system. The study reveals that these receptors are expressed in cells that also express gustducin, a coupling protein critical for sending bitter signals to the brain.