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Circular RNAs – the new frontier in cancer research

Researchers predict that circular RNAs will play a crucial role in cancer diagnosis and treatment, enabling innovative diagnostic and therapeutic developments. The study highlights the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers, therapy targets, and even immune response inducers against cancer cells.

SourceFlinders University·JournalNature Reviews Cancer·TypeSystematic review·DateAug 1, 2024

With $12 million NIH grant renewal, Lewis Katz School of Medicine researchers to explore novel cell mechanism in heart injury and repair

Researchers at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine will investigate how injured heart cells communicate with other cells throughout the body using microvesicles known as exosomes. The study aims to understand how specific molecules, such as microRNAs, facilitate communication pathways between cells in the heart and vasculature.

Lowering fecal immunochemical test positivity threshold vs multitarget stool RNA testing for colorectal cancer screening

This study found that lowering the fecal immunochemical test positivity threshold can achieve comparable sensitivity and specificity to the multitarget stool RNA test without additional testing. The findings are similar to previous observations with multitarget stool DNA testing, suggesting a potentially simpler screening method.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA·DateJun 1, 2024

Researchers at IOCB Prague develop a new method for enzymatic synthesis of potential RNA therapeutics

Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel method for preparing ribonucleic acid (RNA) containing modified bases using engineered DNA polymerases. This opens the door to applications in chemical biology and therapeutic applications, including mRNA drugs.

Why some RNA drugs work better than others

Researchers have discovered why some RNA-splicing drugs work better than others, revealing a key factor that impacts treatment efficacy. By analyzing the interactions between drugs and RNA, they found that combining splice-modifying drugs targeting the same gene segment can lead to greater therapeutic effects.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 6, 2024

Discovered a RNA molecule that helps prevent DNA replication errors

A long non-coding RNA called lncREST has been identified as a crucial component of the stress response during DNA replication. Its absence leads to impaired stress signalling, resulting in severe DNA defects and cell death. The discovery opens up new avenues for developing anti-tumour therapies.

SourceCentro de Investigación Médica Aplicada (CIMA) Universidad de Navarra·JournalNature Communications·TypeNews article·DateMar 4, 2024

A surprising way to disrupt sleep

A new study reveals the critical importance of post-transcriptional processes in regulating circadian rhythms and their impact on sleep. Researchers identified a structure in the circadian mRNA Period2 that alters the amplitude of circadian rhythms and disrupts sleep patterns, particularly during transitions between light and dark.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023

Tiny CRISPR tool could help shred viruses

Rice University scientists developed a tiny CRISPR-Cas13 system to shred viruses by targeting RNA. The system's unique mechanism and three-dimensional structure were mapped using cryo-electron microscopy, allowing researchers to engineer it for improved precision and specificity.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2023

The protein protectors of fertility

Researchers from Osaka University have shed light on how certain proteins contribute to the formation of piRNAs, a type of RNA that protects the genome. Tejas plays a key role in recruiting Vas and Spn-E, facilitating nuage formation and piRNA processing.

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2023

Breakthrough in combating multiple myeloma: For the 1st time in the world researchers destroyed most cancer cells in the bone marrow using a targeted system containing RNA therapy

A breakthrough treatment targeting bone marrow cancer cells destroyed 90% of multiple myeloma cells in laboratory tests and 60% in human tissue samples. Researchers developed lipid-based nanoparticles containing RNA molecules that silence the CKAP5 gene, inhibiting cancer cell division.

SourceTel-Aviv University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJul 27, 2023

New study reveals self-replicating RNA and novel vaccine delivery technology demonstrate enhanced safety and efficacy

A recent publication in Molecular Therapy unveiled the promise of HDT Bio Corp.’s AMPLIFY vaccine platform combining self-replicating RNA (repRNA) with its localizing cationic nanocarrier (LION™) formulation. The preclinical data showcased a more favorable safety profile and increased efficacy of repRNA vaccines delivery with LION tech...

SourceRusso Partners, LLC·JournalMolecular Therapy·TypeObservational study·DateJul 24, 2023

AI and CRISPR precisely control gene expression

A new study by researchers at NYU and the New York Genome Center combines deep learning with CRISPR screens to control human gene expression. The model predicts on- and off-target activity of RNA-targeting CRISPRs, enabling precise gene controls for developing new therapies.

SourceNew York University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 3, 2023

RNA nanoparticle therapy stops the spread of incurable bone marrow cancer

Researchers have created an RNA nanoparticle therapy that disables the pathways through which multiple myeloma cells travel, stopping their spread. The therapy targets the microenvironment of the cancer and prevents the production of a protein that attracts cancer cells to blood vessels.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2023

Ancestral mitoviruses discovered in mycorrhizal fungi

Researchers have identified a new group of mitochondrial viruses confined to arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi Glomeromycotina, which may represent an ancestral lineage of mitoviruses. These large duamitoviruses possess distinct characteristics and are globally distributed in ecological niches occupied by glomeromycotinian fungi.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 11, 2023

James Chappell wins NSF CAREER Award

James Chappell, a Rice University bioscientist, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award to create RNA programming methods for microbial communities in natural habitats. His research aims to improve human health and the environment by genetically manipulating microbial communities.

Researchers develop method for deciphering positional rules in splicing

A new method for global profiling of in-situ RNA–RNA contacts associated with specific RBP has been developed, revealing positional mechanisms by which PTBP1-associated RNA loops regulate cassette exon splicing. The study found that PTBP1 can modulate cassette exon splicing via mediating specific RNA loops in a position-dependent manner.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 22, 2023

Uracil found in Ryugu samples

Scientists have detected uracil and nicotinic acid in asteroid Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft. The discovery suggests that important building blocks for life were created in space and delivered to Earth via meteorites, supporting current theories on the source of nucleobases.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2023

Synthetic genes for flu test

A new method for rapid and specific antibody detection has been introduced, using programmable gene circuits, cell-free transcription, and electrochemical detection. The system can detect antibodies in complex samples such as blood serum and is adaptable for a wide variety of other antibodies.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2023

Artificial DNA kills cancer

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed artificial DNA that can target and kill cancer cells by binding to microRNA molecules. The DNA triggers an immune response that not only kills cancer cells but also prevents further growth of cancerous tissue.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 20, 2022