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Major breakthrough for ‘smart cell’ design

Researchers have made a major breakthrough in synthetic biology by developing a new construction kit for building custom sense-and-respond circuits in human cells. The new approach harnesses the power of phosphorylation to amplify weak input signals into macroscopic outputs, enabling rapid response times and sensitivity to external sig...

SourceRice University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2025

Plant signaling pathways decoded

The study reveals that light-sensitive channels can be used to target specific ion signals in plants, allowing for the comparison of different signaling pathways. This breakthrough enables researchers to investigate plant stress responses in greater detail.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 28, 2024

Connecting the dots to shape growth forces

Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered a signal protein called ERK that plays an active role in causing growing lung tissue to curve. This finding reveals a previously unknown regulatory system governing the development of intricate branching patterns in mouse lungs.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2024

An escape signal for the nematode: Artificial intelligence helps elucidate structure of a novel light sensor

A team of scientists has successfully elucidated the structure and function of LITE-1, a biomolecule used by Caenorhabditis elegans to detect danger. The researchers used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of LITE-1, which is a channel protein that forms a pore in the cell membrane allowing charged particles to pass through.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

Impact of cortactin in cancer progression

Researchers discuss cortactin's impact on cancer progression by modulating the Wnt5a/ROR1 signaling pathway. Cortactin expression is found in various cancers, including breast and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, suggesting its potential role in promoting metastasis.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 4, 2023

New study explains mechanisms of salt transport and could help treat cystic fibrosis

A recent study by Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center researchers has shed light on the mechanisms of salt transport across membrane barriers. The findings have significant implications for treating cystic fibrosis, a disease caused by mutations in three types of sodium-potassium pumps.

SourceTexas Tech University Health Sciences Center·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateSep 21, 2022

Bioproduction Breakthrough: New method for developing Pichia pastoris yeast strains with high productivity of useful proteins

Researchers at Kobe University have successfully identified and disrupted genes in Pichia pastoris yeast to increase its secretory production of useful proteins. Through a series of processes, they developed new host strains that can produce high yields of proteins for industrial enzymes and biomedical antibodies.

SourceKobe University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2022

“Merlin” serves as a gatekeeper in new blood vessel formation

Researchers at Institute for Basic Science discovered Merlin's crucial role in regulating angiogenesis. By suppressing VEGFR2 internalization, Merlin prevents tip EC induction and promotes balanced sprouting angiogenesis. This study sheds light on the importance of Merlin in maintaining capillary integrity and proper angiogenesis.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2022

Pumping calcium for bigger bones

A Kyoto University study has discovered that c-type natriuretic peptide facilitates intracellular calcium signaling in chondrocytes to stimulate long bone growth. This finding may lead to the development of new bone growth-stimulating agents for treating developmental disorders.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 12, 2022

KANPHOS: Newly developed database for kinase-associated protein phosphorylation eases neural signaling research

The newly developed KANPHOS database provides comprehensive information on kinase-associated protein phosphorylation, facilitating research into neural signaling pathways. The database contains information on phosphoproteins, phosphorylation sites, and participant kinases, allowing for searches based on various parameters.

SourceFujita Health University·JournalCells·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2022

‘Pop-up’ electronic sensors could detect when individual heart cells misbehave

Scientists have created a new tool that monitors the electrical activity inside individual heart cells using tiny 'pop-up' sensors. The device directly measures signal movement and speed within single heart cells and between multiple cells, offering potential breakthroughs in diagnosing arrhythmia and cardiac fibrosis.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 23, 2021

A system of check and balances in the blood

Researchers at the University of Vienna discovered a mechanism that regulates HSCs' delicate balance between activation and dormancy, ensuring proper blood cell production. The study found that a feedback loop involving two intracellular signalling pathways maintains this balance, preventing exhaustion and potential death.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalCell Stem Cell·DateMay 24, 2018

Cytoplasmic streaming is involved in the transmission of signals within giant cells in Chara algae

Research by Lobachevsky University and Moscow State University found that cytoplasmic streaming is involved in the transmission of signals within giant cells of Chara algae. The study showed that signal molecules formed in illuminated areas propagated with the moving cytoplasm, affecting photosynthesis and enhancing fluorescence in oth...

SourceLobachevsky University·JournalFunctional Plant Biology·DateApr 13, 2018