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Novel targeted therapy blocks critical metabolic pathways in cancer cells

Scientists have designed a new targeted therapy, known as POMHEX, which inhibits vital metabolic pathways in tumor cells containing specific genetic defects.

24 Nov 2020

First functional analysis of cytokine IL-15L using rainbow trout

The cytokine family including interleukin-2 and -15 (IL-2 and IL-15) started out in a primitive vertebrate species with three related cytokines IL-2, IL-15, and IL-15-like (IL-15L), all sharing binding capacity for receptor chain IL-15Rα. IL-15L was conserved in fishes, reptiles, and some mammals but lost in humans and mice.

23 Nov 2020

Vegan diet can increase risk of iodine deficiency

Those following a vegan diet have an increased risk of iodine deficiency. This is indicated by the results of a research project from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR).

11 Nov 2020

Fruit and vegetable supply in the UK relies on imports from climate-vulnerable countries

The UK's supply of fruit and vegetables has become increasingly reliant on imports from countries vulnerable to climate change, according to a new study in Nature Food.

10 Nov 2020

Study reveals proteins that enable SINEUPs to increase protein production

Scientists from an international group led by the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and Yokohama City University have discovered that a pair of proteins play a key role in allowing an important type of functional non-coding RNA, known as SINEUPs, to act to promote their target messenger RNA.

2 Nov 2020

Research projects receive BTCA awards to develop new drugs

Five research projects with exceptional promise to deliver new life-changing and health-altering therapies have received the inaugural Blavatnik Therapeutics Challenge Awards (BTCA) at Harvard Medical School.

From Harvard Medical School 30 Oct 2020

Study discusses the role of insects as a potential new food allergen

Those with food allergies must avoid allergens in food. Health problems can be triggered by even the smallest traces for those affected. This is why manufacturers of ready-made foods must list the ingredients on the packaging.

21 Oct 2020

Cell nucleus may enable the cells to evade crowded environments

Like people, cells in the human body protect their personal space. They seem to know how much space they need, and if it gets too tight, most cells prefer to break free.

20 Oct 2020

Researchers develop model to encode established biochemical principles at cellular level

The most important components for the functioning of a biological cell are its proteins. As a result, protein production is arguably the most important process for cell growth. The faster the bacterial growth rate, the faster protein synthesis needs to take place.

19 Oct 2020

Study offers renewed hope for children suffering from myofibrillar myopathies

Stephen Greenspan and Laura Zah were devastated when they learned their son Alexander had a rare genetic mutation, which causes a deadly neuromuscular disease with no known treatment or cure.

15 Oct 2020

Two proteins compete to give shape to plants

In an elegant choreography, plants take cues from their environment and channel them into flowers, roots, or branches.

13 Oct 2020

Deep learning-based technique could boost drug development

When you take a medication, you want to know precisely what it does. Pharmaceutical companies go through extensive testing to ensure that you do.

6 Oct 2020

Researchers identify the cause for Parkinson's disease and potential treatments

In a seven-year research effort, an international team of scientists has clarified the cause for certain genetic forms of Parkinson's disease, and has identified potential pharmacological treatments.

14 Sep 2020

Allergic immune responses protect against bacterial infections

Allergy is one of the most common diseases in Europe, it is estimated that more than 150 million Europeans suffer from recurring allergies and by 2025 this could have increased to half of the entire European population.

10 Sep 2020

Researchers develop antibacterial agent to treat drug-resistant infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is the most lethal drug-resistant bacteria and is also one of the most common bacterial pathogens.

3 Sep 2020

Largely ignored 'housekeeping' gene plays unexpected role in neurological diseases

Within cells, molecules known as transfer RNAs, or "tRNAs," play an important but unglamorous workhorse role in keeping the genetic translation process moving along from codes of DNA to functional proteins.

27 Aug 2020

Eliminating tumors with engineered ‘off-the-shelf’ therapeutic T cells

Personalized cancer treatments are no longer just options of the future. In the past few years, researchers have made significant progress in 'teaching' the body's immune T cells to recognize and kill specific cancer cells, and human clinical trials have shown that this approach can successfully eliminate tumors

21 Aug 2020

'Genetic Code Kit' could transform how biology and biochemistry are taught

An open-source educational biotechnology called the "Genetic Code Kit" has been developed by California Polytechnic State University researchers to allow students to interact with the molecular process inside cells in new ways.

20 Aug 2020

Shielded stem cells can improve heart healing

Ghanta, R.K., et al. (2020) Immune-modulatory alginate protects mesenchymal stem cells for sustained delivery of reparative factors to ischemic myocardium. Biomaterials Science. doi.org/10.1039/D0BM00855A.

19 Aug 2020

A genetic link discovered to predict treatment response for patients with rare, aggressive cancer

A Singapore team led by clinician-scientists and researchers from the National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS) discovered a genetic link to better predict treatment response for relapsed/refractory patients with natural- killer T-cell lymphoma (NKTCL), a highly aggressive form of blood cancer.

13 Aug 2020