Articles tagged with Cell Growth
Researchers at Purdue University have discovered a biochemical pathway in plants that determines cell shape and size. By understanding this pathway, scientists may be able to engineer plants with improved properties for biofuel production, such as more massive cell walls.
Researchers found that high zinc levels inhibit cell growth, upregulate growth arrest and DNA damage-induced gene (Gadd45) expression, and block cell cycle progression in normal human bronchial epithelial cells. Gadd45 plays a crucial role in maintaining genomic stability and apoptosis.
Researchers identified a protein, insulin-like growth factor binding protein 7 (IGFBP7), that regulates melanocytes' decision to ward off cancer by entering a programmed hibernation or committing suicide. This discovery offers new hope for treating deadly melanoma by harnessing the body's natural defense pathway.
Researchers at Dartmouth Medical School have discovered that the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene plays a dual role in regulating cell growth, acting as both a tumor suppressor and a gas pedal in cell signaling. This new understanding may help identify therapeutic targets for colon cancer treatment.
University of Michigan scientists have identified a previously unknown link in the biochemical reactions implicated in some forms of heart disease. The discovery provides a new target for future drug therapies and could potentially treat cardiovascular disease.
Engineered blood vessels could be transplanted into tissues such as the kidneys, liver, heart or any other organs that require large amounts of vascular tissue. The researchers created a surface template to grow capillary tubes aligned in a specific direction using nano-scale patterning.
Researchers at UC San Diego discovered that certain genes can switch between two phenotypes spontaneously, allowing cells to adapt to changing conditions. This phenomenon, known as epigenetic multistability, can be beneficial for gene expression and is crucial for understanding genetic inheritance.
The new protocol allows scientists to identify cell-cycle stages and analyze cell growth in mixed populations. It has been used to characterize immune cells in human blood, providing insight into their activity patterns.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that treatment with a vitamin A derivative called retinoic acid reduced the growth of lung cells in former heavy smokers. The researchers also found that the treatment slowed down cell growth in the parabasal layer of lung cells, but not in the basal layer.
A study published in PLoS Biology investigates how bacterial cell colonies develop and self-organize to address environmental challenges. The research reveals that bacterial cells can coordinate their growth and movement to improve access to nutrients and facilitate efficient escape from crowded areas.
Researchers at University of Alabama at Birmingham discovered a key cell-signaling pathway regulating cell growth and patterning in tadpoles. The study found that modification of histone protein H2A influences normal cell pathways and cell growth.
A Princeton University study found that brain cell growth in adult monkeys begins to decline soon after reaching adulthood, but it does not have to stop altogether. The team's research suggests that stimulating the human brain to generate neural cells more rapidly may be possible through methods such as exercise and socialization.
Penn researchers have found a new way Kaposi's Sarcoma-associated Herpes Virus (KSHV) causes cancer by interfering with the degradation of a crucial signaling molecule called Notch. This finding sheds light on how KSHV subverts normal cell growth, potentially leading to new treatments for viral-associated cancers.
Researchers have discovered how Candida albicans transforms from its benign form to an infectious, life-threatening state. The fungus changes shape and activates cellular machineries through specific proteins, revealing new therapeutic targets.
A new study led by Joslin Diabetes Center researchers shows that leptin plays a major role in islet cell growth and insulin secretion, potentially leading to new treatments for type 2 diabetes. The study found that mice lacking leptin receptors in the pancreas showed improved glucose tolerance and greater insulin secretion.
A team of Brown University biomedical engineers has invented a 3-D Petri dish that can grow cells in three dimensions, enabling the quick and cheap production of realistic cells for drug development and tissue transplantation. The technique employs a new dish made from a sugary substance that allows cells to self-assemble naturally and...
Scientists have developed a novel 3D cell culture technology that more accurately reflects human tissue structure and behavior. This technology can lead to reduced animal testing and improved drug discovery efficiency.
Researchers developed a method for culturing mammalian neurons in small chambers, extending their lifespan to up to 11 days at low density. The technique, described in the journal Lab on a Chip, uses miniaturization and perfusion methods to increase purity and analyze cellular secretions.
Researchers found that anthocyanins from purple corn, chokeberries, and bilberries can slow the growth of colon cancer cells. The compounds were tested on human colon cancer cells and rats with colon cancer, showing promising results. Further studies are needed to understand how these compounds interact with other food components.
UNSW researchers have uncovered a naturally occurring mechanism to control 'bad' cells causing blood vessel blockages while leaving 'good' cells unaffected. This discovery could benefit those undergoing heart surgery or haemodialysis by targeting specific gene suppressors like YY1.
Researchers have discovered a natural body lipid that signals cells to normalize growth and maturation. The finding, published in The Journal of Investigative Dermatology, shows that bypassing the signaling pathway restores normal differentiation of skin cells in diseases like psoriasis.
A new procedure using concentrated radio waves has been found to be safe and effective in treating abnormal cell growth in the esophagus, a precursor to cancer. The treatment, called radiofrequency ablation, destroys abnormal cells with fewer side effects than current methods.
Researchers found that cells cultured in three dimensions exhibit distinct gene expression patterns, growing faster and exhibiting more realistic shapes. The findings suggest that 3-D cell culture methods may be a better representation of the human body's complex cellular environments.
Scientists develop methods to mark genes and proteins using stable isotopes and fluorescent markers, enabling the tracking of metabolic shifts and chromosomal abnormalities. These methods provide valuable tools for understanding biological processes and diseases such as Down syndrome and cancer.
A Yale University researcher has discovered a Chinese medicinal compound that prevents the formation of cysts in a mouse model of polycystic kidney disease. The compound, triptolide, slowed down cyst growth by 10 percent annually, which could lead to a significant clinical benefit for patients.
Researchers identified loss of Fibulin-2 as a breast cancer progression marker, which can be restored with protein reintroduction. Breast cancer cells can reversibly alter their phenotype through manipulations like antibody binding to fibronectin, and DNA reversion can be overturned by removing the stimuli.
Researchers discovered how cells fine-tune oxygen use to make do with limited availability. They found that under stress, cells replace one protein with an energy-efficient substitute to maintain power production.
A Joslin-led study identified insulin receptors as crucial for promoting beta cell growth, a potential target for treating type 2 diabetes. The research found that mice lacking insulin receptors failed to grow more islet cells, highlighting the importance of insulin receptors in overcoming insulin resistance.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute found that carbon nanotubes inhibited growth in mammalian cells but sustained bacterial growth, highlighting the need for further research on nanotechnology's environmental impacts. The studies suggest different nanomaterials have varying effects on human health and the environment.
Scientists have discovered that a cell-signaling molecule Akt plays a key role in the progression of melanomas from non-invasive to invasive cancers. Understanding this molecular difference could lead to new targets for treating advanced stage melanoma, with a survival rate of 98% for radial melanomas on the surface of the skin.
Plant researchers Sigal Savaldi-Goldstein and Joanne Chory have uncovered the mechanism behind plant growth, showing that the epidermis is the driving force behind cell expansion. The study, published in Nature, reveals a previously unknown mode of communication between shoot tissues.
Researchers at Yale University have identified triptolide, a compound from Traditional Chinese Medicines, as a potential drug for treating polycystic kidney disease. The study shows that triptolide causes cell growth arrest and reduces cyst formation in mouse models of the disease.
Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that the protein TCTP plays a key role in regulating cell size and proliferation in fruit flies. When TCTP levels are reduced, cells grow abnormally small, leading to reduced lifespan.
Researchers developed a small-molecule inhibitor of Plk1, a key kinase controlling cell division. The compound BI 2536 effectively halts cancerous cell growth in culture and in animal models, causing cell death and tumor regression. This discovery has therapeutic potential for patients with locally advanced or metastatic cancers.
A team of researchers from biology, chemistry, and engineering have developed a proposal for artificially created cells to treat diseases without injecting drugs. The cells would target and deliver chemicals needed by the body to function properly.
Researchers at Brown University have identified GABP as a critical transcription factor that restarts cell division, a process fundamental to development, renewal, and cancer growth. Disrupting GABP may lead to new cancer treatments.
A recent Joslin Diabetes Center-led study has discovered that the appetite hormone melanin concentrating hormone (MCH) plays a crucial role in the growth of insulin-producing beta cells and insulin secretion. This finding may lead to the development of new treatments that stimulate beta cell growth to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
A Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center team discovered that a combination of lovastatin and cyclopamine killed 63% of medulloblastoma cells, compared to fewer than 20% with either drug alone. The duo blocks cell-signaling proteins, leading to cancer cell death through apoptosis.
Research by Graham R. Huesmann and David F. Clayton reveals that activated caspase-3 protein is essential for memory storage and forms short-lived, localized synaptic processes. The findings provide direct evidence of a change in caspase-3's availability during memory formation.
Researchers found that sorafenib can prevent pulmonary hypertension development in rodents by inhibiting abnormal cellular growth and new blood vessel formation. The study suggests a potential therapeutic option for this cardiovascular disease.
Thirty-nine outstanding scientists from Latin America and Canada have been awarded a total of nearly $500,000 by HHMI for five-year international research scholar awards. This marks the fourth round of awards to Canadian and Latin American researchers, supporting their research capacity and linking them with global investigators.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered a synthetic compound called pluripotin that maintains the youthfulness of stem cells without the need for feeder cells. This breakthrough accelerates stem cell research and holds promise for developing new therapies for diseases like cancer and Parkinson's.
Researchers developed a method to construct scaffold libraries made from controlled polymer blend compositions, which can predict the behavior of thousands of possible tyrosine-derived blends. This innovative line of research aims to develop rapid and inexpensive methods to optimize biomaterial properties.
A study found that grape seed extract significantly inhibits the growth of colorectal tumors in both human cells and mice. The extract works by increasing the availability of a critical protein called Cip1/p21, which freezes the cell cycle and often pushes cancer cells to self-destruct.
A recent study found that the tumor suppressor gene H-REV107-1 stimulates growth in non-small cell lung carcinomas via mitogenic signaling. In contrast to expected function, cytoplasmic localization of H-REV107-1 correlates with decreased patient survival.
Scientists at the University of Texas Medical Branch discovered that blocking a single enzyme called aldose reductase can stop colon cancer cell growth. In mouse experiments, tumor progression was completely halted when human colon cancer cells were treated with genetic material that prevented the production of this enzyme.
Researchers have developed two new technologies to measure cell growth in the laboratory, one for monitoring drug effects on cancer cells and another for testing multiple cell types or dosages simultaneously. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate assessments of cancer treatments and improved drug development.
A new protocol using the protein tNOX has shown promise in detecting lung cancer early in smokers and nonsmokers. The test involves measuring levels of tNOX in the blood, with low false positive rates, making it a potential screening tool for early detection.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to create plastic replicas of real cells, which can support cell growth and potentially be used in laboratories and hospitals. The replicas could help scientists understand nerve growth and repair damaged tissue, and may eventually be used to regenerate nerves in patients.
Scientists have identified a regulator of genes that controls artery smooth muscle cell growth, which may hold the key to preventing vessels from re-closing after angioplasty. By studying genetically susceptible pigeons, researchers found a potential target for treating restenosis.
Researchers found that an intracellular protein called synectin is a key regulator of arterial growth, impairing development when disrupted. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for coronary artery disease and vascular biology research.
Schepens scientists identify the intracellular switch that regulates angiogenesis, a process that can be both beneficial and detrimental to the body. The discovery may lead to more targeted drugs for diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have discovered a key mechanism that regulates blood vessel growth and regression. By targeting this process, new drugs may be designed to dismantle existing vessels or promote vessel regression in diseases such as diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
A study published in Nature sheds light on how the body repairs wounds, revealing that a 'scaffolding' protein plays a crucial role in signaling proteins that lead to new protein manufacture and cell growth. Additionally, research in Genes and Development reveals a novel role for this protein in promoting hair follicle growth.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center found that beta cells can develop and grow normally even when both insulin and IGF-I receptors are missing. This discovery suggests the presence of independent growth factors and pathways necessary for beta cell development, which may lead to new treatments for people with diabetes.
Researchers found a genetic switch controlling animal development and cancer growth, involving protein PTEN. The discovery provides insight into cancer progression and suggests additional genes may be involved.
UCR researchers successfully grew bone cells on a scaffold of carbon nanotubes, which can be used to treat bone defects and improve dental implants. The non-treated and electrically-neutral nanotubes emerged as the best scaffolds for bone growth.
A team of scientists led by Professor Jussi Taipale identified a set of genes contributing to cell growth and division in Drosophila melanogaster. The findings provide new insights into the regulation of cell growth, which is crucial for embryonic development and cancer
Researchers have discovered a new mechanism that regulates the action of K-Ras, a cellular protein that plays an important role in many human cancers. The study found that phosphorylation of K-Ras weakens electrostatic bonds, allowing it to dislodge from the plasma membrane and promote apoptosis.
Researchers have found evidence of neuron growth in adult brains, particularly in dendrites, which could lead to new treatments for diseases like paralysis. The study's findings suggest that using neurons can stimulate growth, providing a potential approach to enhancing brain plasticity and improving functional outcomes.