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Improved chemokine homing enhances CAR T–cell therapy for osteosarcoma

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified two chemokines, CXCL8 and CXCL16, expressed by osteosarcoma that improved CAR T-cell homing. Modified cells expressing these chemokine receptors showed enhanced infiltration into tumors, leading to prolonged survival in a model of metastatic disease.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalClinical Cancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 5, 2024

Keeping skin healthy: New method provides molecular portrait of sebum production

Researchers developed a new method to map gene expression changes in sebocytes, providing insights into sebum production and its role in skin health. The study identifies key players in sebum production and suggests new ways to modulate it, with potential implications for acne, eczema, psoriasis, and infectious diseases.

SourceUniversität Leipzig·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 31, 2024

Study elucidates role of “G900” gene enhancers in asthma-associated inflammation

Researchers found that mice lacking the G900 region exhibit reduced inflammatory response and suppressed Th2 differentiation when exposed to allergens. This discovery highlights the importance of the G900 gene enhancer in regulating immune responses and has implications for personalized treatments and asthma care.

SourceChiba University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

How cells boost gene expression

A research team from Göttingen University has discovered that antisense RNA (asRNA) plays a crucial role in cell transport, allowing cells to accelerate gene expression and produce proteins quickly in response to environmental stress or harm. This new understanding sheds light on the function of asRNAs and their potential link to disea...

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Changes Upstream: RIPE team uses CRISPR/Cas9 to alter photosynthesis for the first time

Researchers from the University of Illinois have used CRISPR/Cas9 to alter the upstream regulatory DNA of a food crop, increasing gene expression and improving downstream photosynthesis. This approach, which does not require adding foreign DNA, has shown promising results in increasing photosynthetic activity in rice.

Low doses of kretek cigarette smoke altered rat lung histometric, and overexpression of the p53 gene

A study found that low doses of filtered kretek cigarette smoke altered rat lung histometric measurements, increasing the size of respiratory bronchioles. P53 gene overexpression was also observed in response to exposure. The findings suggest potential health risks from even low levels of kretek cigarette smoke.

SourceBentham Science Publishers·JournalThe Open Respiratory Medicine Journal·DateJun 6, 2024

Gene cluster expression index and potential indications for targeted therapy and immunotherapy for lung cancers

A novel gene cluster expression analysis was introduced to potentially expand treatments for more lung cancer patients. The study found that a gene cluster expression index can classify cancers with dramatically different recurrence risks, with higher risk groups suitable for targeted therapy or immunotherapy.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalCancer Screening and Prevention·DateMay 22, 2024

Cyclin D1 expression in penile cancer

Researchers found cyclin D1 expression in patients with penile cancer (PC) is associated with clinical and histopathological features. Patients with cyclin D1 expression had lower disease-free survival compared to the cyclin D1-negative group.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeObservational study·DateMay 15, 2024

Grey cuckoo, red cuckoo: unveiling the genomic secrets of color polymorphism in female cuckoo birds

A recent study sheds light on the genetic underpinnings behind color polymorphism in adult females of cuckoo birds, revealing a single mutation for female-only polychromatism over 1 million years ago. The study found that variations in gray or rufous coloration are associated with the full length of the female-limited W chromosome.

SourceAdvanced Science Research Center, GC/CUNY·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 24, 2024

Transcriptomic analysis of rat brain response to alternating current electrical stimulation: unveiling insights via single-nucleus RNA sequencing

The study identifies neurons as the primary cell subtype sensitive to iACS, with minimal gene expression changes within neurons. Rgs9 is found to be reduced in expression, while unilateral iACS application diminishes its positive neurons in the ipsilateral hemisphere.

SourceSichuan International Medical Exchange and Promotion Association·JournalMedComm·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 17, 2024

Gene discovered that can protect against severe muscle disease

A recent study at Umeå University has discovered a specific gene, fhl2b, that protects against severe muscle disease by preventing the breakdown of muscles in the body. The researchers found that when this gene is expressed in all muscles, muscular dystrophin is alleviated throughout the body.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2024

Sniffing our way to better health

Researchers have discovered that certain volatile compounds emitted by microbes and food can alter epigenetic states in neurons and other eukaryotic cells. Exposure to these compounds can slow down neurodegeneration and cancer, while also affecting plant growth and responses to stress.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournaleLife·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 27, 2024

Towards a better understanding of endothelial cell transformation in cancer progression

A novel reporter cell experimental system enables the visualization of sequential changes during endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndoMT) induced by transforming growth factor-β. Researchers identified CD40 as a potential partial EndoMT marker, which suppresses the transition from partial to full EndoMT.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalCancer Science·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 7, 2024

Scientists discover that a protein associated with neurodegenerative diseases is also linked to childhood brain cancer

A study conducted at a FAPESP-supported research center discovered a link between the protein VAPB and tumor cell proliferation in medulloblastoma, one of the most common and aggressive brain tumors in children. High expression of VAPB correlated with reduced patient survival.

RNA sequencing analysis may hold the key to more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment of pediatric B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia

A pilot study proposes a promising global genomic assay for diagnosing molecular subtypes in pediatric B-ALL, leading to more accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment options. RNA sequencing analysis accurately identified subtypes in all known cases and determined genetic subtype in 79% of previously unknown cases.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2024

USC Stem Cell study shows how gene activity modulates the amount of immune cell production in mice

Researchers at USC Stem Cell lab discovered nearly 40 genes associated with immune cell production, including those related to diseases like myelodysplastic syndrome. The study found that gene activity was linked to specific levels of immune cell production, offering insights for improving bone marrow transplantation strategies.

SourceKeck School of Medicine of USC·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 26, 2024

CD4+ T cell patterns linked to autoimmune disorders

A study published in Cell Genomics reveals that specific changes in CD4+ T cell categories and gene programs are associated with autoimmune diseases, including distinct patterns related to aging and sex. The findings provide a comprehensive catalog of CD4+ T cell changes linked to 20 different autoimmune diseases.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCell Genomics·TypeObservational study·DateJan 11, 2024

One of the keys to healthy sleep and blood sugar has been found

Researchers from Osaka University have discovered a link between the rare D-form of the amino acid alanine and the circadian clock's influence on glucose metabolism in the kidney. The study found that D-alanine regulates gluconeogenesis, a process that creates new glucose to maintain energy levels, and is mediated by the protein Cry2.

SourceOsaka University·JournalKidney360·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 21, 2023

KAIST proposes alternatives to chemical factories through “iBridge”

A novel computer simulation program 'iBridge' was developed at KAIST to predict gene targets for efficient production of valuable compounds in microbial cell factories. The system successfully established E. coli strains capable of producing three high-demand compounds, including panthenol and nylon components.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalCell Systems·TypeMeta-analysis·DateNov 9, 2023

Starfish body is a head, say scientists

Researchers compared sea stars to other deuterostomes to learn about their unique body plan, finding that genes controlling development of the ectoderm were correlated with arm patterning in echinoderms. This suggests echinoderms may have evolved by losing trunk region of bilateral ancestors.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·JournalNature·DateNov 1, 2023

New clues to early development of schizophrenia

Researchers have discovered axonal dysregulation in the prenatal brain as a mediator of genetic risk for schizophrenia. The study used induced pluripotent stem cells and three-dimensional brain organoids to identify key genes involved, including CYFIP1, which is highly expressed in microglia.

SourceElsevier·JournalBiological Psychiatry·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 24, 2023

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

Graphene oxide reduces the toxicity of Alzheimer’s proteins

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have shown that graphene oxide nanoflakes can reduce the accumulation of misfolded amyloid peptides in yeast cells, which are similar to human neurons affected by Alzheimer's disease. This suggests that graphene oxide may hold great potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2023

Saturated fat may interfere with creating memories in aged brain

A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found that saturated fats can interfere with the creation of new memories in aged brains. However, omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA, may help protect brain cells from fat-related inflammation. The study used cell cultures and brain tissue from aging mice to explore the effects of...

SourceOhio State University·JournalFrontiers in Cellular Neuroscience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2023

Conversations with plants: Can we provide plants with advance warning of impending dangers?

Scientists at University of Cambridge create Highlighter tool that uses specific light conditions to activate defense mechanisms in plants, allowing them to 'talk' to humans about impending dangers such as disease outbreaks and heatwaves. The system utilizes optogenetics technology to control biomolecular processes at the cellular level.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalPLOS Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 21, 2023