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Vac to the future

A competition among researchers predicted B. pertussis vaccine responses based on a simple correlation between calendar age and antibody responses. The result highlights the need for further research to understand variability in vaccination outcomes.

SourceLa Jolla Institute for Immunology·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 14, 2024

Sting operation out of gas

Researchers question whether micronuclei activate the cGAS-STING pathway, a key innate immune response to foreign nucleic acids. The study found that MN more commonly recognizes DNA during cell division without triggering STING activation.

SourceKyoto University·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2024

Systemic changes induced by ASCOT in plasma proteome of women with impaired ovarian reserves

Researchers found that ASCOT reverses some age-related protein expression changes, enriching processes related to the complement cascade and immune system in patients with poor ovarian response. In contrast, patients with premature ovarian insufficiency showed enrichment in responses to oxygen-containing compounds and growth hormones.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2024

B cell response after influenza vaccine in young and older adults

Researchers found a quantitative difference in B cell response following vaccination between young and older adults, with younger adults mounting a stronger clonal response and older adults having more activated B cells. This study provides insights into the age-related differences in B cell vaccine response and may lead to the develop...

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalAging-US·TypeObservational study·DateOct 10, 2023

Capturing immunotherapy response in a blood drop

A phase 2 clinical trial found that serial blood tests can identify patients who benefit from additional immunotherapies, suggesting a potential early marker of treatment response. The study also showed that ctDNA analyses correlated with tumor size and survival, making it a promising strategy for guiding therapy.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature Medicine·DateOct 9, 2023

New insight into crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment

A new study by University of Illinois researchers has collected gene expression data in response to mechanical stiffness in tumors, providing insights into the crosstalk between cancer cells and their environment. The study found that colorectal cancer-associated fibroblasts can sense changes in stiffness and adapt, leading to dramatic...

Cells with an ear for music release insulin

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a gene switch that uses sound waves to trigger insulin release in designer cells. The system works by embedding an ion channel protein from the bacterium E. coli into human cells, which opens in response to sound, causing insulin vesicles to fuse and release insulin.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalThe Lancet·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 22, 2023

Cell biology: How cellular powerhouses call for help when under stress

A team of researchers from Goethe University Frankfurt has discovered a central switch point in the mitochondrial signaling chain under misfolding stress. The mitochondria send two chemical signals to the cell when protein misfolding stress occurs, triggering a protective response that reduces misfolded proteins and stabilizes membranes.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 28, 2023

Cell-to-cell diversity is key to protecting brain from neurological diseases: University of Ottawa research

A University of Ottawa study reveals that a diverse brain's ecosystem is key to maintaining normal function while responding to changes. This concept is inspired by Charles Darwin's idea that biodiversity is crucial for survival, suggesting cell-to-cell diversity helps prevent failures in brain circuits.

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJul 18, 2023

Light-activated molecular machines get cells ‘talking’

Rice University scientists use light-activated molecular machines to trigger intercellular calcium signals, revealing a powerful new strategy for controlling cellular activity. The technology could lead to improved treatments for people with heart problems, digestive issues, and more.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Reporters broadcast live, on-the-scene, inside living cells

Researchers from Rice University and Princeton University have developed a new technology that allows for the live monitoring of signaling protein networks in living cells. The 'live reporter' system uses unobtrusive proteins to tag specific proteins, which can activate fluorescent markers when they become phosphorylated.

SourceRice University·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 10, 2023

Study at University Hospital Bonn improves prediction of therapy response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma

Researchers at University Hospital Bonn have developed a new approach to predict therapy response in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma by incorporating two simple blood parameters, CRP and albumin. This method improves the prediction of treatment response, especially in patients with disease control in the first follow-up.

SourceUniversitatsklinikum Bonn·JournalJAMA Oncology·DateJun 22, 2023

Small differences with a big effect

Researchers identified at least 745 reQTLs in monocytes, influencing the activation of cells upon contact with bacteria or fungi. The findings provide basic knowledge for personalized medicine in treating infectious diseases.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2023

A multiomics approach provides insights into flu severity

Researchers used a multiomics approach to analyze changes in transposable elements after influenza A virus infection, identifying transcription factors contributing to individual responses. The study provides insights into the variable severity of illness among individuals infected with the same virus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

How opioid drugs get into our cells

Researchers at UNIGE discovered that natural opioids cannot enter cells, whereas therapeutic opioids can, leading to differences in physiological responses. The study's findings could help develop safer medications with improved efficacy and reduced side effects.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScience Advances·TypeNews article·DateApr 19, 2023