Scientists enlist tiny biomagnets for faster drug discovery
A new platform brings together CRISPR genome editing with magnetic cell sorting to reveal new drug targets for cancer and regenerative medicine.
Read moreImmune System
Antibody testing reveals dogs can suffer from same autoimmune encephalitis as humans
Researchers have found that dogs can suffer from the same type of autoimmune encephalitis that people do. The finding could lead to better screening methods for diagnosis and possibly more effective treatments for canine encephalitis.
Read moreResearchers perform thousands of mutations to understand amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Researchers have used a technique called high-throughput mutagenesis to study Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), with unexpected results. Results showed that aggregation of TDP-43 is not harmful but actually protects cells, changing our understanding of ALS and opening the door to radically new therapeutic approaches.
Read moreNew mechanism for dysfunctional insulin release identified
Researchers have identified a previously unknown mechanism that regulates release of insulin, a hormone that lowers blood glucose levels, from the beta cells of the pancreas. This mechanism is disrupted in type 2 diabetes. The scientists hope this finding will be used to develop new treatments against the disease.
Read moreAntibody 'road block' enables fine-tuning for cardiac recovery
A new study details a possible solution for fine-tuning inflammation and cellular activity in cardiac recovery — thanks to an antibody initially developed for rheumatoid arthritis.
Read moreNew factor in the development of childhood lymphoma
The immune system is highly complex and a detailed understanding of many underlying mechanisms is still lacking. Only the precise interaction of a variety of factors guarantees a reliable and correct immune response in a healthy body. Misregulated immune responses are a major cause of a variety of diseases, including cancer, autoimmunity, and immune deficiency.
Read moreInteractions between bacteria and parasites
A team has completed the first study of the effects of a simultaneous infection with blood flukes (schistosomes) and the bacterium Helicobacter pylori — a fairly common occurrence in some parts of the world. They identified a complex interaction which resulted — among other effects — in a weakening of the adverse impact of the pathogens acting individually.
Read moreAutoantibodies in pregnancy: A cause of behavioral disorders in the child?
Dysfunctions in the maternal immune system that occur during pregnancy could possibly lead to impaired brain development in the unborn child.
Read moreScientists construct energy production unit for a synthetic cell
Scientists have constructed synthetic vesicles in which ATP, the main energy carrier in living cells, is produced. The vesicles use the ATP to maintain their volume and their ionic strength homeostasis. This metabolic network will eventually be used in the creation of synthetic cells – but it can already be used to study ATP-dependent processes.
Read moreKidney disease: Senescent cell burden is reduced in humans by senolytic drugs
In a small safety and feasibility clinical trial, researchers have demonstrated for the first time that senescent cells can be removed from the body using drugs termed 'senolytics.' The result was verified not only in analysis of blood but also in changes in skin and fat tissue senescent cell abundance.
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