LobeFinder algorithm quantifies and analyzes shape changes in puzzle piece-shaped plant cells, providing insights into leaf size and crop yield. The technology could also be adapted to measure boundary shifts in other complex geometric forms.
A study reveals that Botox toxin targets neurons through its affinity for glycans, and mutating a single amino acid can abolish toxicity. This mechanism also inspires the design of anti-toxin inhibitors.
The study found that glutathione reduces uranium's chemical toxicity, allowing cells to grow and resist contamination. This discovery is crucial for innovative biological decontamination strategies, particularly in bioremediation of mining waste piles.
Researchers aim to create non-destructive tools to monitor and assess implantable cartilage, improving the quality of tissue and reducing variability caused by human cells. The center will serve as a resource for academic and industrial labs, disseminating findings and providing training.
The nucleolus, a specialized organelle in cells, behaves like a liquid with complex internal structure, enabling it to control cellular growth and health. Researchers discovered that proteins and RNA spontaneously assemble into three distinct layers, providing insights into the biophysical mechanism of the nucleolus's structure.
Researchers discovered an alternative pathway emerges when ERK1/2 is blocked, allowing tumor cell proliferation to continue. Targeting both ERK pathways concurrently with drug inhibitors halted colorectal cancer growth more effectively in mouse models and human cell lines.
A team of researchers found that rapidly proliferating yeast cells can exert forces of up to 150 psi, equivalent to nearly five times atmospheric pressure. This jamming phenomenon may contribute to microbial pathogenesis and biofouling, with potential consequences for environmental systems.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that manipulating a cellular signaling network in mice can help understand how heart valves initially form. The study revealed that Wnt/beta-catenin signaling enables transitions between stages of valve development, controlling growth and size.
Researchers found that cancer cells can regulate the body's lipid metabolism to increase production of lipids. Minimizing liver production of LDL can deprive tumors of their constant supply and reduce growth. The study aims to test existing medications for hypercholesterolemia on patients undergoing cancer treatment.
Researchers found that loss of specific genes induces osteochondroma formation in mice, identifying a population of cells responsible. The study suggests therapeutic strategies targeting these cells could treat related skeletal diseases.
Researchers aim to spare people with type 1 diabetes from lifelong insulin therapy by developing three-dimensional cellular structures of insulin-producing cells. The EU-funded project plans to work with pharmaceutical industry partners to mass-produce the cells for transplantation.
A study by Lund University researchers has identified four key genes that govern the growth and multiplication of blood stem cells. The discovery sheds light on how to expand these cells for transplant and potentially develop new cancer treatments.
Researchers developed a pharmacological approach to improve pancreatic beta cell growth and function. Trimeprazine, an antihistamine, was found to increase IRS2 in human islets and promote pancreatic beta cell growth and function in mice, suggesting its potential as a diabetes therapeutic.
Japanese researchers grew protein crystals in space using interferometry to measure growth rate and dissolution properties. The results showed an increased growth rate despite expected suppression of solution convection, which may be due to suppressed transport speed of impurity molecules.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital discovered a way primitive cells could maintain constant internal conditions despite external changes. The team found that the dilution of internal contents increases enzyme activity, ensuring activity remains steady relative to cellular volume.
Researchers at Princeton University discovered how a synthetic protein called SynSerB promotes cell growth in serine-depleted E. coli cells. By inducing overexpression of a protein called HisB, SynSerB enables the production of essential amino acid serine, allowing cells to survive.
A new microscope enables the visualization of cancer cells in 3D, revealing that these cells form small protrusions called blebs in a more realistic tumor environment. This discovery is a first step toward understanding 3D biology in tumor microenvironments and may help explain skin cancer cell invasiveness and drug resistance.
Researchers have identified the EZH2 gene as a driver of aggressive pediatric leukemia subtype ETP-ALL, characterized by stem-like cells and increased growth signaling. The study provides potential therapeutic targets, including the existing drug ruxolitinib, for this previously challenging disease.
Oxford University researchers have identified the origins of severe disease-causing mutations within the testicles of healthy men. These mutations are linked to an increased risk of rare diseases in children born to older fathers, highlighting a potential 'timebomb' for families.
Researchers visualized the mechanism of cell polarity maintenance using a super-resolution microscope, revealing its relationship to exocytosis and microtubules. The study used a fungal model to clarify the behavior of polarity markers, shedding light on their role in site-specific growth and cell function.
Researchers at Newcastle University have found that eliminating mitochondria from aging cells can rejuvenate them, highlighting the critical role of mitochondria in cellular aging. The study's findings shed light on how mitochondrial biogenesis drives cellular aging and pave the way for targeted therapies to counteract this process.
A team of researchers from UCLA has developed biomaterial coatings that alter cell proliferation and attachment. The coatings, which include collagen and heparan sulfate, were found to improve cell survival after implantation by promoting blood vessel development. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of functional tissues for t...
Two independent groups studying gut microvilli have found striking parallels with the protein complexes that organize inner ear hair cell stereocilia. The findings suggest that evolution may have borrowed successful biological structures to create new functions, connecting the gut and the ear.
Researchers have identified two proteins controlling heart growth and adaptation to hypertension. The study reveals p38 gamma and p38 delta regulate left ventricle growth, enabling normal hearts to respond to external stimuli.
Aryeh Warmflash, a Rice University professor, has received a prestigious NSF CAREER Award to investigate the mechanisms of embryonic cell differentiation. He aims to develop theoretical models to predict patterns of cell development and engineer embryonic-like systems.
Researchers at Joslin Diabetes Center have identified a key liver protein that accelerates the growth of insulin-producing beta cells, a critical step in treating all forms of diabetes. The protein, serpinB1, was found to be highly expressed in liver cells and boosted beta cell proliferation in human and mouse islets.
A team of physicists and biologists from UC San Diego found that the cost of synthesizing enzymes for aerobic respiration outweighs its benefits in fast-growing cells, leading them to favor fermentation. This discovery provides a new perspective on why many organisms use fermentation instead of aerobic respiration.
Researchers have created a novel method to efficiently culture clusters of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) from blood samples in just 14 days. This breakthrough can help clinicians assess the best therapy options for patients and monitor their treatment progress, potentially replacing traditional biopsies.
Researchers at EMBL used a new technique to prevent cell contraction, identifying crucial cells for ventral furrow formation. The shape of the tissue dictates the direction of contraction, not internal programming.
Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a genetic condition that can lead to premature cardiovascular disease due to thickening or thinning of blood vessel walls. Researchers are studying the similarities between NF1-related arterial stenosis and aneurysms to improve diagnosis and treatment.
A new UT study found that inadequate sleep can disrupt protein synthesis, a fundamental cellular process involved in physical growth and brain activity. The circadian clock regulates this process, and misaligning behavior with it can have negative consequences.
Researchers at Penn State have discovered that a molecular motor can stimulate the growth of microtubules in cells, which could lead to new treatments for cancer. The study found that kinesin-5 molecules pause at the end of microtubules and generate pushing forces, allowing them to grow the microtubes.
Researchers at Griffith University have developed a new technique for growing cells in three dimensions, allowing them to freely associate and form natural structures. This method, using floating liquid marbles, has the potential to increase cell growth and function, particularly useful for spinal cord transplantation repair.
A long-known tumor suppressor, pRb, works by restricting the activity of KDM5A, a molecule that regulates fuel burning in mitochondria. Cancer cells rely on fermenting sugars for energy, making them more vulnerable to metabolic therapies.
Researchers found that polyamines, which decline with age, regulate the functioning of circadian clocks. Administering polyamine supplements restored clock function in older mice, suggesting potential clinical applications.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins Medicine have successfully grown a healthy intestine in a lab using stem cells and a 3-D scaffold. The lab-grown intestine regenerated gut tissue in dogs with missing gut lining, offering hope for the development of an implantable replacement intestine.
Scientists have gained insights into the dynamic behavior of two switch proteins using subatomic resolution. The study reveals that an amino acid in one protein prevents a water molecule from dissociating the phosphate group from GTP, leading to slower switch-off.
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine have discovered a mechanism that restricts human eye growth and prevents myopia. The study found that LRP2 acts as a clearance receptor for the growth factor Sonic Hedgehog, preventing overgrowth of the mammalian eye.
Researchers have found that snakes share similar genetic patterns with mammals and birds in their limbs and genitalia, suggesting a common ancestry. The study's findings suggest that these genetic elements may play a crucial role in phallus development and genital shape variation among species.
Scientists at ETH Zurich have developed a method to analyze hundreds of metabolites simultaneously in real-time, allowing for rapid analysis of cellular responses to external stimuli. This breakthrough enables the study of complex biological processes and has potential applications in developing new pharmaceutical agents.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a molecule that can halt the growth of cancerous AML cells without harming healthy cells. The molecule, cortistatin A, works by inhibiting two specific kinases that play a key role in the growth of AML cells.
Tufts University researchers developed a new method to create high-resolution, 3D structures in silk protein hydrogels using low-energy ultrafast laser technology. The technique allows for scalable patterning of pores and channels with diameters between 10 and 400 microns.
Researchers found that high uterine artery blood flow resistance in early pregnancy is associated with a 5-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and stillbirth. Increased cell death and reduced IGF2 expression may be causal factors of abnormal placental development.
Researchers at IRB Barcelona found that tumor suppressor genes restrict the growth of neighboring cell populations, a mechanism that may contribute to cancer development. This discovery could provide insight into the early events of tumorigenesis and the selection of tumour-initiating cells.
Four UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers have received the NCI Outstanding Investigator Award for their groundbreaking research in cancer. Kun-Liang Guan, Tannishtha Reya, Jin Zhang, and Michael Karin will receive multi-million-dollar awards to fund new projects tackling cell growth, cancer detection, and treatment.
Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center have identified a new electrical mechanism that controls molecular switches regulating cell growth. The study focuses on K-Ras mutations found in 20% of human cancers, which can lead to uncontrolled cell division and cancer.
Researchers define the core set of genes and functions that a bacterial cell needs to sustain life, providing a foundation for new cell engineering approaches. The study identifies 356 essential genes across various microorganisms, enabling the rapid construction of genome-scale cellular growth models.
Researchers identified a gene called 14-3-3zeta, which controls the production of fat cells and growth. Silencing this gene in mice resulted in a 50% reduction in specific unhealthy white fat, regardless of food intake.
A new approach uses cell cultures to predict chemical effects on fish growth, showing excellent agreement with in vivo experiments. The method combines cell population growth inhibition data with modeling of toxicological effects.
In bacterial communities, resolving social conflict is key to survival. The discovery reveals that biofilms develop an 'emergent phenomenon' where individuals balance opposing needs through metabolic codependence. This strategy allows bacteria to coordinate activities, resolve internal conflicts and ensure the survival of the community.
Researchers developed a semiconducting polymer fibre that glows and supports healthy cell growth. The fibre's fluorescent properties enable tracking of its interaction with living tissue for up to 90 days.
Researchers used Liquid STEM to study HER2 dimers in breast cancer cells, finding that a sub-population without these dimers may have self-renewing properties and be resistant to HER2-antibody therapy. This discovery could provide new insights into drug resistance and tumor growth.
Studies of oesophageal tumour samples reveal that L1 elements can alter cell growth and division, potentially leading to cancer. Mobile genetic sequences are found to occur around 100 times in each tumour sample, with some occurring up to 700 times.
Scientists found that abnormal growth in fruit fly tumors depends on ecdysone, a steroid hormone similar to estrogen. This discovery may have implications for studying cancer stem cells and proliferative mechanisms in human cancers.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen discovered a mechanism that controls ADAM17, an enzyme crucial for cancer tumour growth. By inhibiting PACS-2, they found a way to target ADAM17 without affecting other enzymes, potentially leading to improved cancer treatments.
Researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine have discovered a self-regulating loop in the Hippo pathway that maintains cellular balance by controlling cell growth and promoting cell death. This finding has significant implications for understanding cancer development and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have developed a new device that can track chemical signals within cells, allowing for faster and more accurate detection of cancerous growth. The device uses digital microfluidics to deliver rapid sequences of chemicals, enabling scientists to study cell responses in unprecedented detail.
Three new eriophyoid mite species were found in Xinjiang, China, infesting the undersurface of rose family plants without causing damage. The discovery adds to over 1000 previously identified eriophyoid mites in China.
Researchers at UC San Diego have designed and synthesized artificial cell membranes capable of sustained growth. The membranes mimic features of complex living organisms, adapting to environmental cues and supporting persistent phospholipid formation.
Researchers at the Center for Genomic Regulation have identified a new mechanism that generates forces to drive cell movements during development, replacing previous theories of shape changes. This discovery contributes to understanding organ development and maintenance by highlighting the role of volume changes and programmed cell death.