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Forging a novel therapeutic path for patients with Rett Syndrome using AI

Researchers at the Wyss Institute have identified vorinostat as a promising treatment for Rett Syndrome using an AI-driven drug discovery process and innovative disease modeling. The findings demonstrate disease-modifying abilities across multiple tissues, offering hope for a potentially curative treatment.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalCommunications Medicine·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 2, 2025

What's behind preterm birth? Scientists just found a big clue

UCSF researchers identify a molecular timer controlling mouse birth timing, which could lead to new tests for human preterm labor risk and interventions. DNA packaging during pregnancy plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression, with KDM6B working as a 'timer' that winds down over time.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalCell·DateJan 21, 2025

Towards a better understanding of epigenetics and dynamic gene silencing and reactivation

A recent study by Nara Institute of Science and Technology reveals a new mechanism for dynamic gene silencing and reactivation, highlighting the intricate roles of proteins like SDG7. The research team identified a competitive interaction between SDGs and PRC2 at PREs, allowing for efficient gene activation through H3K36 methylation.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2024
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The on-and-off affair in DNA

Researchers discovered that H3K9 methylation is not a simple 'off switch' but rather a 'dimmer switch' that fine-tunes DNA transcription in thale cresses. The study found that two other proteins, LDL2 and ASHH3, play a crucial role in this process.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 26, 2024
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New targets in the fight against pancreatic cancer

The study reveals that SETD1A overexpression is associated with poorer disease-free survival in pancreatic cancer patients. Artificially cultured cells showed increased cell growth and migration when SETD1A levels were overexpressed, while knocking down SETD1A expression led to decreased RUVBL1 gene expression.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCancer Science·DateDec 15, 2022

A ‘factory reset’ for the brain cures anxiety, drinking behavior

Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago found that gene editing can reverse epigenetic changes in the brain caused by adolescent binge drinking, leading to a decrease in anxiety and excessive drinking behavior. The study used CRISPR-dCas9 technology to manipulate histone acetylation and methylation processes at the Arc gene.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 4, 2022

Strahl lab decodes another piece of the histone code puzzle

Researchers in Brian Strahl's lab reveal that different chemical modifications of a single amino acid residue on histones can have unique and shared functions in gene expression and DNA repair. They found that specific methylation states on histones regulate diverse chromatin functions, including responding to stress conditions.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalCell Reports·DateJun 9, 2020

Physical force alone spurs gene expression, study reveals

A recent study published in Science Advances found that physical forces alone can activate genes in human cells, leading to increased gene expression. The researchers discovered that histone proteins play a key role in determining which genes are responsive to stretching forces.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 1, 2020
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Putative epigenetic signatures of chronic undernutrition

A study reveals putative epigenetic signatures of chronic undernutrition tied to growth stunting in humans. Chronic undernutrition can result in persistent effects throughout adulthood, with changes in histone methylation patterns found in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from undernourished children.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 12, 2018

Study shows how epigenetic memory is passed across generations

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz found that both sperm and eggs transmit a memory of gene repression to embryos, which is then transmitted through multiple cell divisions. This epigenetic memory plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression and development.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalScience·DateSep 18, 2014

Lessons learned from yeast about human leukemia: The power of basic model organisms in human health

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research confirm the molecular mechanics of a key regulatory complex implicated in human leukemia are conserved from yeast to humans. They also identify the common molecular shape at the center of the complex, which regulates gene expression through histone methylation.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 5, 2011

Stowers Institute's Workman Lab discovers novel histone demethylase protein complex

The Stowers Institute's Workman Lab has made a groundbreaking discovery of a novel histone demethylase protein complex, which plays a crucial role in regulating transcription elongation. The research reveals that this protein complex associates with the heterochromatin protein 1a and stimulates its histone demethylation activity.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 5, 2008
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Coordinating DNA and histone methylation

DNMT1 and G9a interact to positively influence each other's catalytic activities and maintain epigenetic marks. The interaction impairs histone H3K9 methylation when DNMT1 is knocked down.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateNov 2, 2006

Study helps explain gene silencing in the developing embryo

Researchers have linked Polycomb gene silencing to histone protein methylation, explaining the permanence of Hox gene silencing. The study found that Polycomb proteins function through methylating a specific lysine residue on histone 3, leading to permanent gene silencing.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalScience·DateOct 29, 2002
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Scientists discover chromatin-modifying enzyme crucial for normal development

Researchers have identified G9a as a chromatin-modifying enzyme essential for normal development. Studies show that G9a deficiency leads to severe developmental growth retardation and increased programmed cell death, highlighting the enzyme's critical role in regulating gene expression during embryogenesis.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateJul 14, 2002

Protein discovery tied to DNA master switch

Researchers have identified a critical protein, SET7, that regulates gene expression by modifying histone H3. This discovery may lead to new treatments for diseases and provide insights into using stem cells to generate organs. The study reveals that SET7 makes chromatin structure more open, allowing other proteins to access genes.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalMolecular Cell·DateDec 20, 2001