Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Phosphatase dysregulation in cancer and therapeutic opportunities

Dysregulation of phosphatases modulates various signaling pathways, including RAS/MAPK, PI3K, HIPPO, and JAK/STAT. This review highlights the tumour suppressive, tumour promoting, and context-dependent activities of phosphatases, as well as their roles in reshaping the tumour microenvironment through exosomal miRNA secretion.

SourceSichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association·JournalMedComm – Oncology·DateJul 1, 2025

Attack via byways

Researchers at University of Würzburg discovered a novel phosphatase inhibitor that selectively blocks the proliferation of tumor cells. This breakthrough targets increased energy demands in diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders, offering potential new therapies for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 14, 2022

Breaking DNA Goldilocks-style

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a phosphorylation pathway that regulates meiotic double-strand break activity, ensuring genome stability. Enzymes ATR kinase and PP4 phosphatase work together to maintain a balance of DNA breaks, allowing for successful meiosis.

SourceKyoto University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 5, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

University of Sheffield study shows potential to reduce reliance on non-renewable fertilisers in agriculture

Researchers at the University of Sheffield have identified a unique bacterial phosphatase, PafA, that can efficiently release phosphate from its organic forms. This discovery has potential to help reduce the consumption of phosphate chemical fertilisers and promote sustainable agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 12, 2022

Treating TB: uOttawa scientists collaborate to identify new drug for unique therapeutic approach

Researchers develop novel therapeutic approach for treating tuberculosis using phosphatase inhibitors, offering potential benefits for TB research and basic biology exploration. The discovery provides a promising alternative to traditional antibiotic-based treatments and has significant implications for combating antimicrobial resistance.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Chemical Biology·TypeContent analysis·DateMar 22, 2022

Color-changing indicator predicts algal blooms

Researchers developed a color-changing indicator that detects rising levels of alkaline phosphatase, forecasting phytoplankton growth and impending algal blooms. The portable system reliably detected enzyme activity using smartphone scanning apps, potentially enabling real-time field monitoring and prediction.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateNov 3, 2021

Small-volume, high-throughput organic synthesis

A new method for synthesizing and evaluating large numbers of potential drug leads has been developed by the University of Groningen. This technique uses acoustic dispensing to create thousands of variant molecules in a high-throughput system, making it possible to quickly identify promising candidates.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 9, 2019
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

What controls the tips of our chromosomes?

A study published in EMBO Journal has discovered the key aspect of regulating telomeres, which are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. The research team found that the protein complex CST is responsible for maintaining telomeres, and a chemical modification regulates its S component, allowing telomere duplication and elongation.

SourceInstituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateFeb 27, 2019

Researchers track down new biocatalysts

Microbiologists at the University of Göttingen developed a new method to detect novel enzymes that can release phosphate from environmental samples. This breakthrough has significant implications for industrial processes, biotechnology, and sustainable agriculture.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalmBio·DateFeb 5, 2019

Diabetes researchers find switch for fatty liver disease

Duke researchers have identified a key fork in the road for the way the liver deals with carbohydrates, fats, and protein. By targeting BCAA breakdown, they found that activating this process reduces fat deposition in the liver and improves glucose regulation. This approach offers a promising new target for combating fatty liver disease.

SourceDuke University·JournalCell Metabolism·DateMay 17, 2018

A specific new ELISA method for analyzing cetuximab

A highly sensitive and selective ELISA for cetuximab determination in human plasma samples has been developed. The assay limit of detection was 0.0015 μg/mL and the effective working dynamic range was 0.005-6.25 μg/mL.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalCurrent Pharmaceutical Analysis·DateFeb 23, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Test reveals potential treatments for disorders involving MeCP2

A team of researchers has developed a strategy to identify potential treatments for patients with MECP2 duplication syndrome by normalizing altered levels of MeCP2 in animal models. The study found that drugs inhibiting phosphatase PP2A partially rescued motor abnormalities in mice, offering hope for future treatments.

SourceBaylor College of Medicine·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateAug 23, 2017

Promising drug target identified in medulloblastoma

Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified Eya1 as a critical protein in both normal brain development and the development of medulloblastoma. Lowering Eya1 levels in mice with medulloblastoma reduced death rates from the disease by half, suggesting it as a prime target for new treatments.

SourceDana-Farber Cancer Institute·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateMar 26, 2015

Cancer and the Goldilocks effect

SRPK1 acts as a tumor suppressor when abundant and promotes cancer when scarce, according to researchers at UC San Diego. This unexpected dual role is crucial for understanding tumorigenesis in humans.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 3, 2014
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

A*STAR scientists uncover potential drug target to nip cancer in the bud

Researchers at A*STAR's Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology have discovered an enzyme, Wip1 phosphatase, that plays a critical role in regulating tumour growth. By inhibiting the action of this enzyme, cancer growth can be stunted and tumours can be cured without developing resistance.

SourceAgency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Singapore·JournalCancer Cell·DateNov 8, 2013

What is the new target inhibiting the progression of Alzheimer's disease?

Researchers have discovered a new therapeutic target for Alzheimer's disease, which regulates N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor transport. Valeric acid, an N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, has been shown to significantly inhibit the progression of learning and memory disturbances induced by Alzheimer's disease.

SourceNeural Regeneration Research·JournalNeural Regeneration Research·DateAug 15, 2013

But what does it do?

A comprehensive online database of human phosphatases and their substrates has been created to aid researchers in understanding cellular reactions. The database, DEPOD, groups phosphatases into families based on three-dimensional structure, enabling the identification of known substrates and suggestion of new ones.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience Signaling·DateMay 14, 2013

Balancing the womb

A new study reveals that precise regulation of myosin phosphorylation is crucial for uterine activity during labor. The researchers discovered that specific amino acids are phosphorylated to control uterine contractions, providing insights into premature births and failed inductions.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalMolecular Human Reproduction·DateDec 21, 2011
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Researchers identify enzyme that regulates degradation of damaged proteins

A study has identified an enzyme called proteasome phosphatase that regulates the removal of damaged proteins from cells. This process is essential for removing misfolded or damaged proteins from the cell, but a defective proteasome can be catastrophic.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 27, 2011

Possible pharmacological target(s) identified in pediatric OSA

A new study has identified a specific gene product that may be responsible for the proliferation of adenotonsillar tissue in children with OSA. The study suggests that blocking the phosphatase protein PSPH could be a potential therapeutic target for reversing adenotonsillar enlargement and treating pediatric OSA.

SourceAmerican Thoracic Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine·DateFeb 4, 2010
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

PTEN: the Treg's handbrake

Researchers identified PTEN as a key regulator of Treg responsiveness to IL-2, enabling their proliferation and maintaining suppressive function. This discovery could provide a way to overcome the major challenge of harnessing Tregs for autoimmune disease treatment.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateAug 17, 2006
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Biology-Oriented Synthesis (BIOS): From natural product to new therapeutics

Researchers have discovered four fully different classes of phosphatase inhibitors using the BIOS principle, which mimics natural products to identify potential new medicines. The study found promising results in targeting antiangiogenesis inhibitors, cell cycle regulation, and tuberculosis infections.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 3, 2006

Stopping smad

Researchers discovered pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase as a key player in the dephosphorylation of MAD, a Drosophila Smad protein. This finding offers new insights into how BMP signals can be downregulated in various physiological contexts.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 27, 2006

New regulators of apoptosis and chemoresistance identified

A Harvard Medical School study reveals that phosphatases play a crucial role in regulating cell survival and chemoresistance. The researchers identified tumor suppressor phosphatases whose loss of function leads to chemoresistance, providing potential new targets for cancer treatment.

SourceHarvard Medical School·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateJun 10, 2005

UCSD-Salk team show protein's gene-silencing role in development of nervous system

Researchers at UCSD and Salk Institute have discovered that small carboxyl-terminal domain phosphatases (SCPs) play a crucial role in the maintenance of neural stem cells and silencing of neuronal genes. This finding suggests a way to expand the pool of neuronal stem cells, potentially leading to new treatments for neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalScience·DateJan 27, 2005
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.