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Queuing theory helps physicist understand protein recycling

Using the subway analogy, a physicist is applying queuing theory to study protein traffic jams in cells. By understanding these bottlenecks, he aims to discover mechanisms for alleviating them and develop new tools for synthetic biology. This research has the potential to impact areas such as development, inflammation and cancer.

Nanoparticles cause cancer cells to self-destruct

Researchers at Lund University have developed a technique using magnetically controlled nanoparticles to selectively kill cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue. This method has the potential to revolutionize cancer treatment by reducing side effects associated with traditional therapies.

SourceLund University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 3, 2014

p53 cuts off invading cancer cells

Researchers discovered that p53 acts to prevent cancer cell invasion by initiating a chain of events that ultimately prevents the formation of lamellipodia. This process involves the activation of a mitochondrial protease called Omi, which cleaves actin filaments and suppresses the activity of focal adhesion signaling protein p130Cas.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 24, 2014

Mass. General study identifies path to safer drugs for heart disease, cancer

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have identified a path to safer drugs for heart disease and cancer. By analyzing the structure of an extracellular matrix protein and its interaction with an integrin, they have discovered a high-affinity version that can bind strongly without inducing unintended receptor activation.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateMar 23, 2014

Surprising new way to kill cancer cells

Scientists at Northwestern University have discovered that cancer cells rely on the FAS receptor and its binding component for survival, making them vulnerable to elimination. The team created a cancer cell completely devoid of CD95, which resulted in DNA damage and cell death, offering a promising new approach to kill cancer cells.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalCell Reports·DateMar 20, 2014

Study finds that fast-moving cells in the human immune system walk in a stepwise manner

A team of biologists and engineers at the University of California, San Diego has discovered how white blood cells generate traction forces to propel themselves forward by coordinated action of contractile proteins. This finding is crucial for developing new pharmacological strategies to treat chronic inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·DateMar 17, 2014

Nanoscale freezing leads to better imaging

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory developed a hard X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe that preserves the natural state of cells and trace elements by rapidly cooling them to -260°F. This enables the creation of high-resolution images with unprecedented detail, solving long-standing issues in biological imaging.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Synchrotron Radiation·DateFeb 26, 2014

Toxic injection with elastic band

Tc toxin complexes, used by bacteria like Yersinia pestis and Photorhabdus luminescens, have been imaged with atomic detail. The complexes use an elastic band-like protein chain to penetrate cell membranes, depositing toxic enzymes. This mechanism has potential applications in medicine, including selectively targeting cancer cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateFeb 24, 2014

Cell behavior in low oxygen conditions mapped

A new study at the University of Liverpool explains how cells adapt to low oxygen environments, potentially controlling cell survival signals. By monitoring protein levels and gene expression, researchers discovered optimal conditions for keeping cells alive, which could lead to cancer treatment advancements.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateFeb 20, 2014

New drug candidate starves dormant cancer cells

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a new drug candidate, VLX600, that selectively kills dormant cancer cells in solid tumors by starving them. The drug works by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration, causing the cells to die from starvation. A clinical study is planned to take place this year.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 18, 2014

Kidney cancer reveals its weak link

Kidney cancer cells exhibit distinct metabolic differences compared to other cancers, providing a potential weak link for diagnosis and treatment. This discovery opens the door to new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches for detecting kidney cancer at an early stage.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 17, 2014

Cancer drugs hitch a ride on 'smart' gold nanoshells

Researchers have developed 'smart' gold nanoshells that target cancer cells specifically, delivering anticancer drugs and converting near-infrared light into heat. This breakthrough could lead to more effective cancer treatments by overcoming the limitation of traditional chemotherapy techniques.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalBiomedical Materials·DateFeb 13, 2014

Grape seed promise in fight against bowel cancer

Researchers at the University of Adelaide found that grape seed extract improves chemotherapy's potency and reduces intestinal damage in laboratory studies. Grape seed extracts showed no side effects on healthy intestine, decreased inflammation by up to 55%, and increased growth-inhibitory effects on colon cancer cells.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalPLOS ONE·DateFeb 13, 2014

New live-cell printing technology works like ancient Chinese woodblocking

Researchers have developed a new live-cell printing technology called BloC-Printing that can print living cells onto any surface in a grid-like formation. The technology, which manipulates microfluidic physics to guide cells into hook-like traps, produces high survival rates of over 100% compared to traditional inkjet printing.

SourceHouston Methodist·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 10, 2014

Cancer drug protects against diabetes

Researchers have discovered that a cancer drug can protect the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in mice. The medication works by reducing sterile inflammation and delaying cell destruction. This finding is a step towards developing a preventive treatment for type 1 diabetes.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 9, 2014

The mouse that ROR'ed

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine found that combining ROR1 and TCL1 oncogenes in mice accelerates and worsens blood cancer. The study suggests ROR1 could be an important therapeutic target for patients with CLL, a common form of blood cancer affecting over 15,000 new cases annually.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 2, 2014