Membrane News and Research

RSS

New procedure allows surgeons to reconstruct entire heart valves from patient’s own tissue

A new method allows surgeons to reconstruct entire heart valves from the patient’s own tissue. This surgical procedure is currently only used at a handful of centers in the world.

30 Sep 2017

Cellular messaging mechanism could lead to new way of treating disease

A newly discovered cellular messaging mechanism could lead to a new way to deliver therapeutics to tissues affected by disease, according to a new study from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

27 Sep 2017

Notre Dame's HCRI publishes two papers involving ovarian cancer research

Two papers involving ovarian cancer research at the University of Notre Dame's Harper Cancer Research Institute, one featuring new research and the other a review article, were published as cover stories in their respective journals.

27 Sep 2017

Study identifies two genes involved in invasive group A Streptococcus infections

Group A Streptococcus bacteria cause a variety of illnesses that range from mild nuisances like strep throat to life-threatening conditions including pneumonia, toxic shock syndrome and the flesh-eating disease formally known as necrotizing fasciitis.

22 Sep 2017

Study finds overall favorable outcomes among cardiac patients treated in childhood with ECMO

One of the few large studies to report long-term outcomes in cardiac patients treated in childhood with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation has found overall favorable outcomes among survivors, as reported by families. ECMO provides short-term breathing and heart support for critically ill children while doctors treat the underlying illness.

22 Sep 2017

Researchers design novel small antibody fragment with improved crystallizability

Antibodies are a powerful weapon system in defending our body against invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Each antibody consists of four polypeptide chains: two heavy chains and two light chains joined to form a Y-shaped molecule.

21 Sep 2017

'Small intestinal permeable peptides' improve biopharmaceuticals absorption in digestive tract

Biopharmaceuticals, medium- and high-molecular weight biologically active macromolecules, are not easily absorbed by the small intestine, the main organ responsible for gastrointestinal absorption, resulting in a bottleneck for oral administration type biopharmaceutical development.

20 Sep 2017

Rutgers scientists shed light on fat-regulating enzyme’s role in human health

It had already been known that the enzyme known as phosphatidic acid phosphatase plays a crucial role in regulating the amount of fat in the human body. Controlling it is therefore of interest in the fight against obesity.

20 Sep 2017

Researchers identify potential gonorrhea vaccine candidates

Researchers at Oregon State University have identified a pair of proteins that show promise as the basis for a gonorrhea vaccine.

19 Sep 2017

Scientists take important step toward gene therapy for deaf patients

Scientists at Oregon State University have taken an important step toward gene therapy for deaf patients by developing a way to better study a large protein essential for hearing and finding a truncated version of it.

19 Sep 2017

Bacteria release membrane-derived vesicles that may have different functions during infection

Bacteria release membrane-derived vesicles (MVs), which are small particles that can transport virulence factors to neighboring bacteria or to the cells of a mammalian host. This special MV-based system for delivering toxic proteins and nucleic acids in a protected manner to the target cells may have different specific functions depending on whether the bacterium acts as an extracellular or intracellular pathogen.

18 Sep 2017

Research reveals sugary secrets of protein important for development and cancer progression

The proteins in human cells are extensively decorated with different types of sugars, a phenomenon called glycosylation. These modifications greatly increase the diversity of protein structure and function, affecting how proteins fold, how they behave, and where they go in cells.

15 Sep 2017

Research provides insight into how imbalance in neural precursor cells may contribute to brain diseases

Salk Institute scientists have discovered that an interaction between two key proteins helps regulate and maintain the cells that produce neurons.

15 Sep 2017

Review assesses safety, effectiveness of corticosteroids for treating TB pericarditis

Researchers from South Africa and Canada have carried out a Cochrane review update to assess the safety and effectiveness of corticosteroids for treating tuberculous pericarditis.

14 Sep 2017

Novel technology holds promise for improving accuracy of type 1 diabetes tests

Researchers from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Stanford University and the University of Florida report the development of a novel antibody detection technology that holds promise for improving the accuracy of diagnostic tests for type 1 diabetes in young children and making populationwide screening practical.

13 Sep 2017

New 3D protein structure provides detailed look into how brain cells communicate quickly

An intricate new three-dimensional protein structure is providing a detailed look into how brain cells communicate rapidly.

13 Sep 2017

TSRI scientists find new approach to reprogram ordinary adult cells into IPSCs

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have found a new approach to the "reprogramming" of ordinary adult cells into stem cells.

12 Sep 2017

Compounds in fermented fish paste inhibit enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis

Compounds in a fermented fish paste used as a condiment in Indonesia efficiently inhibit an enzyme involved in cholesterol synthesis, reports a study published in the Pertanika journal Tropical Agricultural Science.

11 Sep 2017

Sartorius Stedim Biotech launches new Sartobind Cassettes for commercial applications

Sartorius Stedim Biotech, a leading international supplier for the biopharmaceutical industry, has expanded its range of single-use membrane chromatography solutions with Sartobind Cassettes.

From Sartorius 11 Sep 2017

BioCote Silver Ion Antimicrobial Technology makes surfaces inhospitable to influenza viruses

Strike a chord please, especially in light of the BMJ's article on Tuesday about the ineffectiveness of the flu vaccine for elderly last year - just wanted to make you also aware of the ultimate surface protection against viruses like H1N1, plus all the proliferating superbugs.