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CNIO researchers link MASTL protein to origin of thrombocytopenia

The Cell Division and Cancer Group of the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre has discovered that MASTL, the protein whose function in the organism has not yet been sufficiently investigated, plays an important role in controlling the cytoskeleton, the structure that gives shape to the cells, and enables their mobility and capacity for grouping.

1 Nov 2018

Study reveals unknown mechanism that protects tumor cells from NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity

Cancer cells have evolved multiple escape strategies to circumvent the body's immune defenses such as the attack by Natural Killer (NK) cells which normally swiftly kill abnormal cells by releasing cytotoxic products.

24 Oct 2018

Study reveals factors linked to the development of Crohn's disease

How cells talk to each other, and what they say, has long held fascination for Seema Khurana, professor of biology and biochemistry.

5 Oct 2018

Drosophila study shows chromosomal instability promotes invasive behavior in human tumors

Metastatic tumors are characterized by a high degree of chromosomal instability--that is to say a constant change in the number and structure of chromosomes they hold. In spite of this observation, it is unknown whether chromosomal instability contributes to the metastatic process.

26 Sep 2018

New findings show importance of physical forces in tumor metastasis

A malignant tumor is characterized by its ability to spread around its surroundings. To do so, tumor cells stick to the surrounding tissue (mainly collagen) and use forces to propel.

26 Sep 2018

Novel micro-platform reveals never-before-seen behaviors of cancer cells

A new cell culture platform allows researchers to observe never-before-seen behaviors of live cancer cells under the microscope, leading to explanations of long-known cancer characteristics.

19 Sep 2018

People battling substance use disorders may benefit from meth-relapse prevention compound

New research raises the possibility that a wider group of people battling substance use disorders may benefit from a Scripps Research-developed relapse-prevention compound than previously thought.

17 Sep 2018

Researchers untangle mysteries of 'evil' protein in ER-positive breast cancer

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, striking 1 out of 8 women. About 80 percent of all breast cancers are estrogen receptor-positive, in which cancer growth is fueled by estrogen.

12 Sep 2018

Thrombospondin-1 contributes to development of aortic aneurysm in mice and humans, study finds

Researchers centered at the University of Tsukuba and Kansai Medical University in Japan reveal matricellular protein Thrombospondin-1 (Thbs1) contributes to the development of aortic aneurysm in mice and humans.

20 Aug 2018

Brown University researchers reveal key physical properties of 'giant' cancer cells

Polyploidal cancer cells--cells that have more than two copies of each chromosome--are much larger than most other cancer cells, are resistant to chemotherapy and radiation treatments and are associated with disease relapse.

14 Aug 2018

Researchers discover genetic mutation underlying debilitating childhood brain disorder

Ashleigh Schaffer, PhD, assistant professor of genetics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, and a team of global genetics experts have discovered a genetic mutation and the faulty development process it triggers, causing a debilitating brain-based disorder in children.

9 Aug 2018

Defects in RNA modification can cause altered smooth muscle contraction

Genetic information is stored in DNA and is passed on in a very stable manner from one cell to the next or from one generation to the next.

9 Aug 2018

Scientists discover gene that predicts arthritis severity

Scientists have discovered a new gene that is associated with disease severity in rheumatoid arthritis. HIP1 produces an inflammatory molecule which drives RA.

26 Jul 2018

Study reveals key role of actin cytoskeletal dynamics in supporting immune cell function

In order to move, a body needs a strong scaffold. This is not only true on a macroscopic level, where animals rely on skeletons to support their muscles.

26 Jul 2018

Discovery about how malaria moves could lead to new therapies

Researchers have made an important discovery about how Plasmodium falciparum (the parasite that causes malaria) is able to evade capture by the immune system.

23 Jul 2018

Scientists find reason why malarial parasites are faster than immune cells

Elementary cytoskeleton protein is different in parasites and represents a starting point for a possible new therapy against malaria infections.

20 Jul 2018

Dr Maddy Parsons receives Royal Microscopical Society Life Science Medal

Dr Maddy Parsons, a Group Leader in the Randall Division of Cell & Molecular Biophysics, has been awarded the Royal Microscopical Society Life Science Medal for her outstanding scientific contribution to applying microscopy in the field of cell biology.

20 Jul 2018

Scientists demonstrate a new regulation mechanism for skeletal muscles

An international team of scientists from the University of Florence, Italy and the Randall Division in collaboration with the ESRF, the European Synchrotron, Grenoble, France, demonstrated a new regulation mechanism for skeletal muscle.

20 Jul 2018

Study offers new hope for people with disabling Dupuytren's disease

Researchers at the Kennedy Institute and Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, University of Oxford, working with clinicians at NHS Lothian, have found that injection of the anti-TNF drug adalimumab into Dupuytren's disease nodules results in the reduction of the cell characteristics responsible for progression of Dupuytren's disease.

9 Jul 2018

Researchers investigate role of MTSS1 protein in neuron branch development

A protein called "MetastasisMetastasis-suppressor 1"activates one pathway and inhibits another competing pathway, thus playing a dual role that determines how neuron branches in the brain form, according to research published in the journal Cell Reports.

4 Jul 2018