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New technology protects authenticity of engineered cell lines

Researchers at UT Dallas developed a method to create unique identifiers for each copy of a cell line, allowing users to verify its authenticity and protect intellectual property. The technology uses CRISPR gene editing to insert bar-codes into the cell's genome, creating a unique pattern that can distinguish it from other cell lines.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2022

New gene targets for treating adult blood cancer

Hokkaido University scientists have identified CDK6 as a promising target for treating adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) with the drug palbociclib. The combination of palbociclib with everolimus also showed significant tumor growth reduction and minimal side effects in mice models.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalBlood·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2022

New study discovers novel inhibitory roles of hnRNPK in skeletal muscle cell differentiation

Researchers uncover the pleiotropic functions of hnRNPK in regulating skeletal muscle cell differentiation, including inhibition of myoblast differentiation and suppression of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress. The study suggests that targeting hnRNPK could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human disorders.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 7, 2022

Traditional Chinese medicine, Shengmai Yin, improves the effects of radiation therapy, says new study in Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

A new study found that traditional Chinese medicine Shengmai Yin increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to radiation, reducing radioresistance. By altering DNA methylation status, SMY enhances the efficacy of radiation therapy and reduces side effects.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2022

Existing drugs kill SARS-CoV2 in cells

Researchers have identified several drug contenders that can block or reduce SARS-CoV2 infection in cells, including lactoferrin and MEK-inhibitors. These findings suggest potential efficacy against COVID-19 variants, with ongoing clinical trials to examine their ability to reduce viral loads and inflammation.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

Hard to swallow: Coral cells seen engulfing algae for first time

Scientists have observed individual stony coral cells engulfing single-celled photosynthetic algae, crucial for keeping corals healthy. Around 40% of coral cells incorporated the algae in 30 minutes and remained healthy for a month, providing insights into the partnership between corals and dinoflagellates.

To splice or not to splice...

A study by Karan Bedi and colleagues found that RNA splicing is inefficient, leaving many intronic sequences unspliced. The team analyzed Bru-seq data from six cell lines and identified variable patterns of splicing across genes and cell types.

Call for scientific community to increase diversity and inclusivity in medical research

The scientific community is urged to adopt more inclusive practices in preclinical and basic science research to promote personalized medicine. Researchers highlight the lack of diversity in commonly used human cell lines, which are predominantly of European descent, and emphasize the need for representative cell lines to better unders...

Bitter receptor involved in anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol?

A recent collaborative study has shown that resveratrol's anti-inflammatory properties are mediated by the bitter receptor TAS2R50. The researchers found that this receptor type plays a role in reducing inflammatory markers released by gum cells when treated with surface antigens from bacteria.

SourceLeibniz-Institut für Lebensmittel-Systembiologie an der TU München·JournalJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry·DateMar 2, 2021

Touch and taste? It's all in the tentacles

Researchers at Harvard University discovered a unique sensor system in octopus suction cups that allows them to detect and 'taste' molecules on objects, enabling the animals to identify prey. This novel chemotactile receptor system may also facilitate complex behaviors in octopuses and other cephalopods.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateOct 29, 2020

Novel Radioimmunotherapy Reverses Resistance to Commonly Used Lymphoma Drug

A new radioimmunotherapy has proven effective in reversing resistance to the most commonly used lymphoma drug, rituximab. In a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma mouse model, the treatment substantially increased rituximab binding and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity activity, resulting in significant tumor growth delay.

SourceSociety of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging·JournalJournal of Nuclear Medicine·DateOct 8, 2020

Stop Livin to make lymphoma cells stop living

Lymphoma cells can resist therapy by evading apoptosis due to the presence of the Livin protein. Targeting Livin using inhibitors may be effective in refractory cases. Researchers have identified a promising immunotherapeutic strategy by combining CD40-mediated Fas expression with specific targeting of Livin.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCancer Research·DateSep 16, 2020

Treating leukaemia more effectively

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Kent have discovered that the enzyme SAMHD1 can split phosphate groups off nelarabine, making it less effective in B-ALL patients. This breakthrough could lead to more targeted treatment options for individual patients.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCommunications Biology·DateJun 24, 2020

What cells does the novel coronavirus attack?

Scientists have discovered that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 primarily infects progenitor cells in the lungs and bronchi, which are responsible for producing cilia that sweep mucus and bacteria out of the lungs. The virus acts in a highly selective manner, dependent on certain human cells to spread and replicate.

SourceBIH at Charité·JournalThe EMBO Journal·DateApr 7, 2020

Finding the smallest genes could yield outsized benefits

A study from the Salk Institute identified over 2,000 previously unknown small open reading frames (smORFs) in human cell lines, expanding the number of human genes by 10%. These tiny genetic sequences may hold key to understanding human biology and developing new treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateDec 9, 2019

Two novel pancreatic cancer cell lines with highly metastatic activity were established and analyzed

Researchers established two human pancreatic cancer cell sublines with high metastasis potential, MIA PaCa-2 In8 and Panc-1 In8, which demonstrated increased migration, invasion, and clonogenic abilities compared to their parental cells. The study also identified a dysregulated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) net...

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·DateMar 27, 2019