News Feature Channel: Cell Biology

New Software Finds Aging Cells That Contribute to Disease and Health Risks

University of Illinois Chicago — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 12:00:23 EST

For human health, prematurely aging cells are a big problem. When a cell ages and stops growing, its function changes, which can cause or worsen cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and other chronic diseases. But these cells are also like needles in a haystack, difficult to identify by traditional scientific measures.

New S$130 Million National Research Initiative to Enhance Singapore's Strategic Research Capabilities in RNA Biology and Its Applications

National University of Singapore (NUS) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 07:40:17 EST

A new national programme that aims to position Singapore at the forefront of advancements in RNA science and applications was officially launched today. This new initiative - named National Initiative for RNA Biology and Its Applications (NIRBA) - is supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) with total funding of S$130 million (US$97 million) over seven years. NIRBA will engage scientists and clinicians from leading institutions like the National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), and Duke-NUS Medical School.

Peacekeeper Cells Protect the Body From Autoimmunity During Infection

University of Chicago Medical Center — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:25:00 EST

New research from the University of Chicago shows how a specially trained population of immune cells keeps the peace by preventing other immune cells from attacking their own.

New Study Sheds Light on How Bacteria 'Vaccinate' Themselves with Genetic Material from Dormant Viruses

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 17:45:44 EST

Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have shed new light on how bacteria protect themselves from certain phage invaders -- by seizing genetic material from weakened, dormant phages and using it to "vaccinate" themselves to elicit an immune response.

Scientists Witness Living Plant Cells Generate Cellulose and Form Cell Walls For the First Time

Rutgers University-New Brunswick — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 14:00:00 EST

In a groundbreaking study on the synthesis of cellulose - a major constituent of all plant cell walls - a team of Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has captured images of the microscopic process of cell-wall building continuously over 24 hours with living plant cells, providing critical insights that may lead to the development of more robust plants for increased food and lower-cost biofuels production.

Scientists Demonstrate Pre-clinical Proof of Concept for Next-Gen DNA Delivery Technology

Wistar Institute — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:05:00 EST

Wistar Institute scientists and collaborators describe a next-generation vaccination technology that combines plasmid DNA with a lipid nanoparticle delivery system.

Boosting Brain's Waste Removal System Improves Memory in Old Mice

Washington University in St. Louis — Fri, 21 Mar 2025 11:00:00 EST

Aging compromises the lymphatic vessels surrounding the brain, disabling waste drainage from the brain and impacting cognitive function. Researchers at WashU Medicine boosted lymphatic vessel integrity in old mice and found improvements in their memory compared with old mice without rejuvenated lymphatic vessels.

Potential Targeted Therapy for Pediatric Brain Cancer Identified by Dana-Farber Team

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 09:00:39 EST

An international team of clinical collaborators, led by physician scientists from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, performed a first-ever clinical test of the targeted therapy avapritinib in pediatric and young patients with a form of high-grade glioma. They found that the drug, already FDA-approved for certain adult cancers, was generally safe and resulted in tumor reduction visible on brain scans, as well as clinical improvement, in 3 out of 7 patients.

Removing a Protein 'Signal Jammer' Improves Immunotherapy

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 19:55:58 EST

Find how a mitochondrial protein protects cancer cells from immunotherapy, giving scientists a new target type to improve solid tumor treatment & save lives.

Rutgers Launches Center to Tackle Barriers to Weight Loss and Other Causes of Disease

Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:30:03 EST

Rutgers Launches Center to Tackle Barriers to Weight Loss and Other Causes of Disease

New Study Reveals Key Protein's Role in Spinal Disc Degeneration

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:45:26 EST

A recent study has unveiled the pivotal role of Ferroptosis Suppressor Protein 1 (FSP1) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), a primary cause of chronic lower back pain. Researchers discovered that FSP1, when upregulated by the inflammatory cytokine TNF伪, accelerates disc degeneration through caspase 3-dependent apoptosis and mitochondrial damage. This finding positions FSP1 as a promising therapeutic target for IDD, potentially offering relief to millions suffering from persistent back pain.

New Genetic Insights Into Hypospadias: MAFB and CEBPA's Role in Urothelial Growth

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 09:10:34 EST

A recent study has unveiled the critical roles of two transcription factors, MAFB and CEBPA, in the development of hypospadias, a common congenital malformation affecting male urethral development. The research reveals that MAFB and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha (CEBPA) regulate urothelial cell growth via the Wnt/尾-catenin signaling pathway, offering new insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying this condition. These findings pave the way for innovative therapeutic strategies and a deeper understanding of the genetic and molecular foundations of hypospadias.

Using Nanotech as a Way of Differentiating Cells From One Another

University of Rhode Island — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:40:04 EST

Early diagnosis is crucial in disease prevention and treatment. Many diseases can be identified not just through physical signs and symptoms but also through changes at the cellular and molecular levels. When it comes to a majority of chronic conditions early detection, particularly at the cellular level, gives patients a better chance for successful treatment.

Robert Haselkorn, Influential Researcher and Mentor in Molecular Genetics and Cell Biology, 1934-2025

University of Chicago Medical Center — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 19:40:02 EST

Haselkorn was widely known for his work on plant viral RNA, and was highly regarded for his teaching and mentoring with students.

UT Southwestern Scientists Develop 'Self-Driving' Microscope

UT Southwestern Medical Center — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 20:20:22 EST

A new "self-driving" microscope developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers solves two fundamental challenges that have long plagued microscopy: first, imaging living cells or organisms at dramatically different scales, and second, following a specific structure or area of interest over long periods of time.

The Role of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Center at Temple University Lewis Katz School of Medicine — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 16:55:18 EST

While Alzheimer's Disease is traditionally associated with the buildup of plaques, emerging evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction may play a role in the onset and progression of this devastating neurodegenerative disorder.

Research Tip Sheet: New Single-Cell Proteomics Technology Reveals Heart Cell Differences

Cedars-Sinai — Tue, 04 Mar 2025 04:00:20 EST

A multidisciplinary team of Cedars-Sinai investigators has used a novel single-cell proteomics approach to better understand the differences between naturally occurring adult heart cells and heart cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Unraveling stress granules: key to understanding neurodegenerative diseases

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 08:40:05 EST

A comprehensive review provides new insights into the pivotal role of stress granules (SGs) in cellular stress responses and their profound implications for neurodegenerative diseases. It discusses how these dynamic, membraneless organelles interact with other cellular components, offering a deeper understanding of their contribution to conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

Unlocking a New Path to AML Treatment: Targeting the JMJD1C-RUNX1 Axis for Leukemia Progression Control

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:55:10 EST

A new study has identified a critical mechanism that could lead to substantial advancements in the treatment of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Researchers have discovered that the protein JMJD1C plays a pivotal role in leukemia cell survival. Specifically, JMJD1C is recruited by RUNX1 to genomic loci, where it forms liquid-like condensates.

Metabolic Shift in Liver Cancer: How PDHX Acetylation Drives Tumor Growth

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 05:50:37 EST

A recent study has unveiled a new mechanism driving hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression through the acetylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) component X (PDHX), a critical component of the PDC. This modification disrupts PDC assembly, inhibits its function, and shifts metabolism towards aerobic glycolysis, promoting tumor growth. The findings highlight PDHX acetylation as both a potential biomarker and therapeutic target, offering new possibilities for liver cancer treatment and advancing our understanding of cancer cell metabolism.