Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Mount Sinai study uncovers how loss of the critical tumor suppressor p53 enables mutant cells to expand through normal tissue

A Mount Sinai study reveals that loss of p53 can reorganize Wnt signaling into a radial gradient, allowing mutant cells to expand through normal tissue. The researchers found that the spatial organization of Wnt signaling, rather than its overall activity, plays a critical role in this process.

KAIST identifies a molecular “switch” that activates cell growth signaling, suggesting a potential basis for next-generation anticancer therapy

A research team at KAIST has uncovered the molecular mechanism by which amino acid signals activate cell growth signaling. The findings suggest a potential basis for next-generation anticancer therapies that target abnormal growth signaling in tumor cells.

Blocking TGF-β signaling may strengthen efficacy of osteoporosis therapy

Researchers identify TGF-β signaling pathway as key regulator of osteoblast quiescence, suggesting its inhibition can aid in reactivation of dormant osteoblasts. Combining TGF-β-blocking antibodies with anti-sclerostin treatment shows promising therapeutic potential for osteoporosis treatment.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalBone Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2026

Nature’s viny vampire: Discovering what drives parasitic Cuscuta campestris

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University identified the CcMCA1 gene as a key player in the development of haustoria, structures that allow Cuscuta campestris to feed on host plants. Suppressing this gene expression can reduce the number of haustoria per centimeter, offering potential for controlling invasive plant species.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalPlant and Cell Physiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2025

Why some breast cancer treatments stop working

A new review highlights how breast cancer cells change their communication and growth patterns, helping tumors survive, spread, and resist treatment. The review explores disrupted signaling pathways, including PI3K/Akt/mTOR and RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, which can promote tumor progression and resistance to treatment.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeSystematic review·DateMar 25, 2025

New insights into plant growth

A recent study revealed that brassinosteroids are distributed unevenly between new cells formed during cell division, influencing root growth and development. The findings provide a comprehensive understanding of how these hormones regulate plant growth and development at the cellular level.

SourceVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie·JournalCell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2025

Bringing expansion microscopy to plants

Researchers have developed ExPOSE, a method that allows for the visualization of plant cells with greater resolution, enabling studies on protein and RNA location, and cellular response. The technique uses protoplasts to overcome cell wall challenges, paving the way for a powerful new toolkit in plant biology.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalThe Plant Journal·DateMar 7, 2025

Nourishing T cells to fight cancer

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a new way to grow T cells that can live longer and better destroy cancer cells in mice. By adding a compound called dichloroacetate to growth media, they created T cells less reliant on glucose and more efficient at using other energy sources.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalCell Metabolism·DateJan 28, 2025

Cell death and aging in cancer research review

A review of cell death and aging in cancer research reveals the significance of cellular senescence in promoting cancer growth. The study highlights the potential of various types of programmed cell death, such as necroptosis and pyroptosis, as therapeutic targets against senescent cells.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalSeminars in Cancer Biology·TypeLiterature review·DateJan 28, 2025

The high cost of complexity

A new study led by Arizona State University researcher Michael Lynch explores the substantial energy demands required to maintain and evolve multicellular life. Multicellular organisms require a tenfold increase in energy compared to protists, highlighting how respiration and metabolic processes are crucial for advanced life forms.

SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

Scientists create a world-first 3D cell model to help develop treatments for devastating lip injuries

Researchers successfully immortalized lip cells, enabling the development of clinically relevant lab-based models to test treatments for lip injuries and infections. The 3D cell model was tested with Candida albicans yeast, showing promising results for wound healing and infection studies.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 4, 2024

Co-culture system for sustainable cultured meat production

A new co-culture system uses photosynthetic microorganisms to remove waste products and enhance muscle cell growth, resulting in a 30% reduction of lactate and over 90% reduction of ammonia. This innovation provides a low-cost, sustainable alternative to animal serum for cultured meat production.

SourceWaseda University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 28, 2024

Researchers use genomic technology to investigate aggressive skin cancer linked to burn scars

Researchers used genomic technology to study Marjolin's ulcer, a rare and highly aggressive skin cancer that grows on chronic burn wounds. The study reveals insights into how keratinocytes switch their function to become cancerous, creating a fertile environment for tumor cells to grow and spread.

SourceUniversity of Calgary·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeCase study·DateOct 28, 2024

New findings on stem cells and development of cancer

Researchers at Umea University have discovered how embryonic stem cells transition into specialized cells, highlighting the importance of LSD1 protein in cancer development. The study suggests that targeting only LSD1's enzymatic activity may not be enough for cancer treatments to be effective.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 10, 2024

What turns bacteria into spirals?

A team of researchers discovered a mechanism that determines the spiral shape of Rhodospirillum bacteria, revealing a novel link between cell shape and fitness. The study found that an outer membrane porin-lipoprotein complex modulates elongasome movement to establish cell curvature in R. rubrum.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 7, 2024

How a bacterium becomes a permanent resident in a fungus

A team of researchers led by Julia Vorholt at ETH Zurich initiated laboratory partnerships between bacteria and fungi to study the beginnings of an endosymbiotic relationship. They found that when certain bacteria are passed on to the next generation of fungi through spores, the fungus adapts and becomes more inhabited.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature·DateOct 2, 2024

Evolving the framework of cancer theory

Researchers propose a new approach to understanding cancer evolution, acknowledging the importance of environmental influences and epigenetic changes. By refining the clonal evolution model, they aim to develop more effective cancer therapies that consider the full complexity of cancer cell evolution.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Reviews Cancer·TypeLiterature review·DateSep 10, 2024

Nature inspires a breakthrough: scientists develop revolutionary egg white-based bioink for advanced tissue engineering

Terasaki Institute scientists have created a novel bioink derived from egg whites, offering abundant proteins and excellent biocompatibility. This breakthrough technology has the potential to create more accurate tissue models for drug testing and develop functional tissue replacements for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024

Promising role of antidiabetic drug in cancer control

Researchers found that metformin increases levels of microRNAs miR-2110 and miR-132-3p, targeting genes PIK3R3 and STMN1 to slow down cancer cell growth and division. This study provides new insights into metformin's molecular mechanisms and its potential as a preventive agent for reducing cancer growth.

SourceFlinders University·JournalCancers·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 11, 2024

New mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance

New study reveals two novel mechanisms that contribute to antibiotic resistance in bacteria, accelerating the growth of resistant bacteria during treatment. These mechanisms can occur independently and are linked to increased gene copy number variation and heteroresistance, complicating treatment for patients.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 20, 2024

New stem cell research may have implications for liver transplantation

Researchers have successfully grown functional human liver cells in a different species, offering a potential solution to the shortage of donor organs for liver transplants. The breakthrough uses interspecies blastocyst complementation to produce transplantable human liver cells, which can effectively mitigate chronic liver fibrosis.

SourceInternational Society for Stem Cell Research·JournalStem Cell Reports·DateMay 9, 2024