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John P. Cogswell, Ph.D., receives 2009 Alzheimer Award

John P. Cogswell, PhD, has been awarded the 2009 Alzheimer Award for his work on identifying microRNA changes in Alzheimer's disease brain and CSF, which yields putative biomarkers and insights into disease pathways. His research highlights the potential of microRNAs to aid clinical diagnosis.

When cells reach out and touch

Scientists at Johns Hopkins discovered that cell-to-cell contact revs up microRNA production, a key regulator of gene expression. The study found that physical contact is the critical factor influencing microRNA abundance, with increasing cell density leading to increased microRNA production in all tested cell lines.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 1, 2009

Olivier Voinnet awarded 2009 EMBO Gold Medal

Olivier Voinnet's groundbreaking research on gene silencing via RNA has opened new perspectives on controlling gene activity, with implications for medicine and genome integrity. His work has also shed light on the molecular arms race between hosts and parasites.

SourceEMBO·DateApr 22, 2009

Scaling the wall of deafness

A new study by Prof. Karen Avraham at Tel Aviv University has discovered that microRNAs are involved in the development of deafness, opening up new avenues for treatment and potential cure. The researchers found that microRNAs help regulate cell functions in the ear, and their loss can lead to progressive hearing loss.

SourceAmerican Friends of Tel Aviv University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2009

Regulatory molecule for tumor formation or suppression identified by Singapore, US researchers

Researchers at Singapore's Genome Institute of Singapore and the US have identified microRNA-125b as a novel regulator of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The study found that this microRNA keeps p53 levels low during embryonic development, but allows for an increase in p53 to prevent tumor formation if DNA is damaged. Elevated levels of...

Managing microRNAs

Researchers have discovered that microRNAs dampen target gene expression in specific cells by working in concert with other regulatory processes. Key muscle-regulatory miRNAs, such as miR-1 and miR-133, function to mediate actin organization in developing muscles.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 25, 2009

What's feeding cancer cells?

Scientists at Johns Hopkins University have discovered how the Myc cancer-promoting gene uses microRNAs to control glutamine, a major energy source for cancer cells. This finding may lead to identifying new pathways to target for designing drugs with fewer side effects.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateFeb 15, 2009

Researchers identify another potential biomarker

A recent study by Boston University researchers has identified a class of microRNAs that regulate gene expression changes in airway cells caused by smoking and lung cancer. These findings may lead to a non-invasive biomarker for smoking-related lung diseases, improving early diagnosis and treatment options.

SourceBoston University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 13, 2009

Gladstone scientists identify single microRNA that controls how heart chambers form

Researchers have identified a single microRNA, miR-138, critical to the development of heart chambers in zebrafish. This discovery may provide new approaches for treating congenital heart defects. The study showed that miR-138 regulates numerous gene functions and is required during a specific developmental window.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 27, 2008

MicroRNAs make for safer cancer treatments

Mayo Clinic researchers have discovered a way to control oncolytic viruses using microRNAs, which can restrict them to specific tissues and make them safer for use in cancer therapy. This discovery could lead to new methods of making safer vaccines.

SourceMayo Clinic·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 26, 2008

Formula discovered for longer plant life

Researchers at the Max Planck Institute found that certain microRNAs regulate growth and aging processes in plants by inhibiting TCP transcription factors. This results in slower aging and increased lifespan, with potential applications for cultivating longer-lived and faster-growing plants.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalPLOS Biology·DateSep 23, 2008

JDRF announces 2008 Scholar Award recipients

The JDRF Scholar Award is granted to individual scientists who exhibit a unique creative vision and approach to research. Dr. Jeffrey Bluestone and Dr. Mark Cooper are the recipients of this prestigious award, which provides them with $250,000 annually for up to five years to conduct specialized research.

SourceJDRF·DateAug 1, 2008

Scientists dig deeper into the genetics of schizophrenia by evaluating microRNAs

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have discovered a previously unknown alteration in microRNA production linked to schizophrenia. By modeling mice with the same chromosome 22q11.2 deletion as humans with schizophrenia, they found that abnormalities in microRNAs can lead to synaptic and behavioral deficits.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 11, 2008

UD researchers discover novel 'gene toggles' in world's top food crop

University of Delaware researchers have discovered a new type of molecule called natural antisense microRNAs (nat-miRNAs) that can turn off genes in rice, which is the primary source of food for half the world's population. These novel molecules may help scientists locate similar gene regulators in other organisms, including humans.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 9, 2008

Less can be more, for plant breeders too

Researchers have developed a tool to rapidly silence specific genes in rice, enabling faster breeding and improved crop performance. This breakthrough uses artificial miRNAs to target and disable genes of interest, with potential applications in hybrid seed production and enhanced resistance to pathogens and insects.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMar 19, 2008

Role for microRNAs in limb regeneration

Research reveals that microRNA depletion is necessary for tissue regeneration and that manipulating certain microRNA levels can enhance regenerative success in zebrafish. By tweaking the FGF signaling pathway, scientists were able to increase or decrease specific microRNA levels, resulting in improved or inhibited fin regeneration.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateMar 14, 2008

MicroRNAs help zebrafish regenerate fins

Biologists at Duke University Medical Center have discovered microRNAs that control the regeneration of zebrafish fins. The study found that reducing levels of one microRNA, miR-133, speeds up fin regrowth, while increasing it slows it down. This discovery could lead to new ways to stimulate human tissue regeneration.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalGenes & Development·DateMar 14, 2008