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Discovery slows down muscular dystrophy

A team of researchers has identified TAK1 as a regulator of skeletal muscle mass, slowing down disease progression and improving muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. By targeting this protein, they can suppress muscle fiber death and enhance myofiber growth, offering a promising new approach to treatment.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJCI Insight·DateMay 24, 2023

Novel gene-editing strategy leverages unusual genetic alteration to block HIV spread in cells

Scientists at Temple University have developed a novel gene-editing strategy that disrupts the ability of HIV-1 virus to enter host cells by targeting a rare genetic disorder. This approach may offer another target for developing next-generation CRISPR technology for HIV elimination, while avoiding adverse effects on cell mortality.

SourceTemple University Health System·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·DateMay 19, 2023

UW Medicine scientists among leads of NIH pangenome studies

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium expands and updates the human genome project with nearly full genomic data from 47 people of diverse ancestry. Researchers at UW Medicine made significant contributions to drafting the pangenome reference and studying variation within repetitive DNA, which could improve equity in human genome re...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023

Researchers overcome stem cell delivery barrier, paving the way for regenerative medicine

Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023

Study of cerebral blood vessels uncovers potential new drug targets for treating stroke

Researchers have identified hundreds of genes with significant stroke-driven changes and likely relevance in human strokes. The study found alterations in sphingolipid production, which are involved in regulating blood vessels, and pinpointed several molecular pathways that can be targeted for stroke treatment.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 14, 2023

“We were dancing around the lab” – cellular identity discovery has potential to impact cancer treatments

Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a new process that explains why cells have unique identities. By studying Polycomb protein complexes, the team found that different forms of these proteins recruit distinct complexes to DNA, shedding light on cellular identity and its potential impact on cancer treatments.

SourceTrinity College Dublin·JournalMolecular Cell·DateApr 7, 2023

People with NAFLD have decreased expression of a liver enzyme needed for medication processing, according to researchers from Indiana University and Eli Lilly

A study from Indiana University School of Medicine found that people with NAFLD have significantly decreased levels of the liver enzyme CYP2C19, which is important for medication processing. This decrease may lead to slower clearance of certain medications and reduced effectiveness of medicines like antidepressants and clopidogrel.

SourceIndiana University School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 6, 2023

Communication may guide family members’ decisions after sudden cardiac death

A new study finds that clear and accurate information about the cause of death, provided in multiple formats, can influence family members' decisions to seek follow-up screening for inherited heart conditions. The study suggests that communication from death investigators and health care professionals is crucial in addressing families'...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes·DateApr 4, 2023

The complete respiratory supercomplex identified

The study resolves a long-standing question about the structure of respiratory supercomplexes in unicellular eukaryotic organisms. Complex II is found to be part of the supercomplex in these organisms, optimizing ATP formation and revealing a surprising variety in supercomplex construction.

SourceAarhus University·JournalNature·DateMar 22, 2023