Articles tagged with Animal Models
Researchers found specialized astrocytes in mouse brains that can repopulate damaged areas and rebuild cells. These 'regenerative' astrocytes send newly formed cell nuclei to the site of injury, knitting the network back together.
Researchers at the Batista Lab have identified a gap in current malaria vaccines, which only target one region of the parasite. Adding short peptides to these regions can broaden the immune response and improve protection.
Researchers sequenced medaka genomes using PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore sequencing, revealing conserved centromeric sequences and a giant mobile element. The study provides insights into chromosome stability, sex determination, and the phenotypic traits of different organisms.
A research team led by Iowa State University's Raquel Espin Palazon identified two essential components — a pervasive protein and a crucial cellular signaling pathway — needed to make some types of blood cells. Adding these components to leukemia cells could potentially lead to new treatment options.
Researchers found that females with live offspring had lower late-life frailty, contradicting previous theories on a potential reproductive cost. The study used companion dogs to investigate the relationship between reproduction and aging, revealing a unique link between parity and robustness.
Researchers discovered a potential drug developed at Michigan Medicine reverses metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) in animal models by disrupting the disease-driving pathway that links the gut and liver. DT-109 improved gut health, reducing inflammation in livers of nonhuman primates.
Scientists developed a new population model, APODEMUS, to predict pesticide effects on animal populations. The model simulates complex agricultural landscapes and foraging scenarios, tracking energy conversion and exposure to pesticides.
A decade of canine research suggests that genetically engineered Beagles could be a complementary and welfare-conscious model for autism treatments. The study gathers findings on the behavior and traits of these dogs in relation to human autism, including signs of treatment with oxytocin and psychedelics.
Researchers have developed an alternative infection model using wax moth larvae to study bacterial pathogens, enabling efficient and ethically acceptable high-throughput testing. The model allows for broad screening of bacterial variants or potential new active compounds in a living organism.
Researchers have developed a cell-based delivery platform that uses encapsulated engineered cells to secrete cytokines directly within the wound environment, supporting accelerated wound healing in rodent and porcine excisional wound models. The approach is designed to maintain therapeutic levels of signaling molecules at the wound site.
Researchers developed a viable homozygous CHD8 mouse model, showing that stronger mutations can dramatically alter male–female autism patterns. The study revealed pronounced autism-related abnormalities in both sexes with severe mutations.
Researchers developed a novel mouse model that mirrors the human disease, revealing molecular mechanisms underlying geleophysic dysplasia. The model replicates severe symptoms, including short stature, heart valve alterations, and early lethality, facilitating the identification of potential therapeutic targets.
A new worm model developed by Brown University researchers could play a key role in treating alternating hemiplegia of childhood, a disorder that causes paralysis in children. The genetically engineered C. elegans nematode model provides a fast and inexpensive way to evaluate potential drug treatments for AHC.
Research in male sheep fetuses finds that excessive prenatal progesterone exposure alters the SRD5A1 gene, crucial for processing sex hormones in brain development. The study highlights the importance of hormones in fetal development and potential links to adult disease.
Researchers at the UC Davis MIND Institute found that polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) alter genes more in females than males, with a key gene called XIST playing a protective role. Folic acid also shows promise in mitigating harmful effects of PCB exposure, particularly in women.
Researchers discovered that strokes cause a chain reaction within the brain, leading to neuronal cell death. They found that blocking collagen production can prevent this damage and even restore motor function in paralyzed monkeys. The new drug KDS12025 reduces hydrogen peroxide levels and prevents the entire process from being triggered.
Salk Institute researchers have developed a new biological platform for studying mitochondrial DNA in human physiology, adaptation, and therapeutic development. The platform allows scientists to investigate mitochondrial DNA variation in health and disease, enabling therapeutic innovation for mitochondrial disorders.
The University of Cincinnati has opened a zebrafish research facility to investigate the effects of environmental contaminants on human fertility. The lab will use zebrafish as a model organism to understand molecular mechanisms behind reproductive biology and infertility.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have identified a protein, ATF4, linked to increased metastasis and recurrence in lung cancer. The study reveals that older individuals' tumors are smaller and grow more slowly, yet more likely to have spread when detected.
A new experimental rat model reproduces creeping fat in Crohn's disease, characterized by mesocolic adipose tissue hyperplasia with macroscopic, histological, immunological, and molecular similarities to human disease. The model supports the hypothesis that intestinal microbiota contributes to remodelling of mesenteric adipose tissue.
Copper metabolism plays a crucial role in inflammatory bone diseases, with copper overload suppressing glycogen synthesis and increasing inflammatory activity. Researchers found that cuproptosis, a form of programmed cell death, can lead to bone weakening and osteoclast formation, providing a potential new therapeutic target.
Research reveals that salivary bacteria from gum disease alter gut metabolism, driving osteoclast activity and systemic bone loss. Microbial metabolites like indole-3-lactic acid inhibit osteoclast differentiation and activity.
A new study reveals that astrocytes actively participate in motor-learning circuit rewiring by eliminating synapses in the striatum. The research identifies MEGF10 as a key molecular mediator of this process, which is regulated by dopamine signaling and neural activity.
A new study by researchers from the University of Southern Denmark has found no evidence of naturally occurring DMT in the adult rat brain, even when its breakdown was inhibited. The study used highly sensitive methods to detect trace substances and examined whether administered DMT could be stored in serotonin neurons.
Researchers used Caenorhabditis elegans to model chemotherapy-induced neurological dysfunction and tested two compounds for improved recovery. Both sildenafil citrate and Resveramorph-3 significantly reduced seizure-like behaviors and duration, suggesting their potential as therapeutic candidates.
Researchers identified ApoE as a systemic inhibitor of bone repair during aging, and showed that blocking its activity can restore bone regeneration and improve fracture healing. The study provides hope for therapies that actively restore regenerative capacity in older patients, reducing nonunion risk and improving recovery.
Rice University scientists create a detailed map of the Alzheimer's brain using hyperspectral Raman imaging and machine learning. The findings show that chemical changes are unevenly distributed across the brain and extend beyond amyloid plaques, revealing broader metabolic differences between healthy and diseased brains.
Researchers found that hormone treatment reduces abnormal nerve invasion and improves chronic back pain by limiting nerve growth inside damaged spinal tissue. The study suggests that parathyroid hormone can reverse the process by activating natural signals.
A study published in Science of The Total Environment found that e-cigarette exposure alters gut microbiota composition and affects neurobehavior in zebrafish. The researchers observed disruptions in the gut microbiome, with reduced microbial network stability and altered community composition, suggesting potential health risks.
Steatotic liver disease can be precisely assessed using three-dimensional ultrafast vascular ultrasound. The technology visualizes subtle microvascular changes, enabling real-time monitoring of disease progression and therapeutic response.
Researchers from Korea University report a breakthrough in reviving an abandoned depression drug target by redesigning the molecular structure of neurokinin-1 receptor antagonists. New compounds exhibiting antidepressant-like effects have been identified, reducing depressive-like behavior and brain inflammation in mice.
Researchers found a neuroendocrine mechanism linking ovarian status to brain signals controlling sexual receptivity in female teleosts. Progesterone analogs restored sexual behavior but not ovulation, suggesting a direct neural pathway for hormone reception.
Early gastric cancer cells become self-sufficient by producing WNT7B, creating a self-sustaining loop and activating WNT signaling internally. This mechanism is triggered by MAPK signaling activation and has been validated in genetically engineered mouse models and human patient-derived organoids.
Growth hormone directly controls behavior of stem cells in growth plate, stimulating growth but also depleting cartilage stem cells. This delicate balance is crucial for long-term bone development and may contribute to refining growth hormone treatments.
Recent genetic advancements have created a biodiversity library, offering untapped opportunities for solving global challenges. Researchers are exploring unconventional models, such as electric eels, octopi, and bacteria, to develop new therapeutics and tackle environmental issues.
A new AI model uses machine learning to predict drug toxicity in humans by identifying biological differences between cells, mice, and humans. The model improved predictive power over existing state-of-the-art models and demonstrated practicality in predicting market withdrawal due to toxicity.
A study by the Gerald P. Murphy Cancer Foundation's Center for Exceptional Longevity Studies found that retaining gonad function can significantly impact frailty mortality risk. Male dogs with shortest testis exposure had high mortality risks, while those with longest gonad exposure showed no consequence of increasing frailty.
Researchers mapped dynamic glycosylation patterns in rat serum proteins, revealing distinct cell-type-specific profiles. Female rats exhibited pronounced daily fluctuations in sugar structures, suggesting regulation by hormonal and circadian cycles.
A recent study found that plasticine models, commonly used in ecological experiments, may not accurately capture real-world biotic interactions due to their reliance on visual cues. The research team deployed over 2,400 models across two habitats and found similar attack rates regardless of color, shape, or size.
The VICT3R project is expanding its consortium by adding new beneficiaries and organisations, increasing the project budget to €30 million. This expansion reinforces the mission to transform safety assessment in drug and chemical development, reducing reliance on laboratory animals.
Long-term exposure to fine air pollutants like PM2.5 can impair metabolic health by disrupting the normal function of brown fat through complex epigenetic changes. The study identified two enzymes, HDAC9 and KDM2B, as key drivers of this process.
Scientists at RIKEN Center for Brain Science found that fruit flies use separate circuits to compute pleasant and unpleasant odors, challenging the idea that 'good' is the opposite of 'bad'. The discovery may contribute to a better understanding of human brain's flavor appreciation mechanisms.
Researchers at Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown used machine learning techniques to show that mice's facial movements reflect their hidden thoughts. This discovery could offer unprecedented insight into brain function and potential new research tools.
New research reveals that zebrafish models can help guide clinical decision-making in real-time for challenging pediatric cancer cases. The study shows that pre-clinical zebrafish models accurately predicted responses to 11 of 12 treatment regimens, providing robust and actionable treatment response data.
A new review from the University of Victoria suggests that psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT may help treat concussions and traumatic brain injuries by increasing neuroplasticity and reducing inflammation. The compounds have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and other conditions in clinical research.
The Kavli Foundation and NSF have announced new grants to explore how nervous systems respond, resist, or recover from the challenges of a changing world. This research aims to uncover fundamental principles of neurobiology and reveal how animals adapt cognitively and behaviorally to a changing world.
Researchers from Weizmann Institute of Science and Sheba Medical Center identified two drugs with the potential to treat KLA, a rare genetic disorder affecting the lymphatic system. The study used transparent zebrafish embryos to decipher the disease mechanism and find effective treatments.
Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham created novel mouse models with mutations in the DHDDS gene to study retinitis pigmentosa (RP) 59, a genetic cause of blindness. The studies revealed that both T206A/K42E and K42E/K42E mouse models exhibited changes in retinal structure and function similar to human RP59 disease.
A new study published in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research found that red meat consumption causes an imbalance of bacteria in the intestinal microbiota, leading to exacerbated colonic inflammation. The diets resulted in a decrease in beneficial bacterial strains and an increase in pro-inflammatory cells.
Researchers discovered a multi-faceted mechanism behind ASD, revealing the gut microbiota and host immune system's influence on disease progression. Precision-selected probiotics restored metabolic balance, reduced neuroinflammation, and ameliorated behavioral abnormalities in ASD mouse models.
A study in mice found that high triglyceride levels directly cause abdominal aortic aneurysms, challenging the notion that they are merely biomarkers of vascular disease. Researchers identified specific proteins and lipoproteins as causal drivers of aneurysm development and growth.
The new handbook provides a practical approach to harnessing zebrafish as a model organism for biomedical research, covering drug efficacy evaluation and disease mechanisms. It offers step-by-step experimental protocols and theoretical grounding for researchers of all levels.
Researchers developed a genetically modified mouse model to study osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare genetic bone disorder. The study found that the Sp7 R342C mutation affects bone mineral density, trabecular bone volume fraction, and cortical porosity, leading to impaired bone remodeling.
Researchers used IntelliCage to assess spontaneous behavioral changes in a mouse model of schizophrenia, finding increased hyperactivity and exploratory behavior after treatment with MK-801. However, cognitive flexibility was impaired, suggesting schizophrenia-like behaviors.
Studies have shown that emotional or psychological stress enhances pain responses, but the effects of social pain transmission remain elusive. Researchers found that ultrasonic vocalizations emitted by mice in response to pain stimuli can induce emotional transmission and hyperalgesia in other mice.
Researchers compared prey-capture behaviors in five fish species, revealing distinct strategies that differ from zebrafish. These differences suggest species-specific sensory inputs and motor control, shedding light on how brain circuits support behavior and evolution shapes those circuits.
Researchers have identified a hidden molecular mechanism involving two proteins that allows tumors to resist treatment. A new gelatin-based nanoparticle has been developed to shut down both proteins simultaneously, showing promising results in early studies with mice.
Researchers at the Wyss Institute have identified vorinostat as a promising treatment for Rett Syndrome using an AI-driven drug discovery process and innovative disease modeling. The findings demonstrate disease-modifying abilities across multiple tissues, offering hope for a potentially curative treatment.
Researchers discovered two distinct ways mutation of the FOXA1 gene alters tumor formation and therapy resistance in prostate cancer in mouse models. The findings provide insight into how different classes of FOXA1 mutations operate, shedding light on the complex mechanisms driving prostate cancer progression.
Roundworm C. elegans avoids deceased conspecifics due to olfactory cues from metabolites AMP and histidine, leading to reduced fitness and increased egg laying. The detection of these signals may be an evolutionarily maintained mechanism for detecting cellular death.