Membrane News and Research

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Study offers new way to suppress growth factors related to cancer cell proliferation

Cancer cells need life-essential molecules to proliferate. These so-called growth factors are activated by ectodomain shedding of precursor proteins on the outside of the plasma membrane, mainly carried out by three human cleavage enzymes. A pharmaceutical blocking of these enzymes could hinder cancer from growing but would also inhibit other life-essential processes.

13 Jul 2015

Ultrasound treatment speeds up skin healing among diabetics and the elderly

Healing times for skin ulcers and bedsores can be reduced by a third with the use of low-intensity ultrasound, scientists from the University of Sheffield and University of Bristol have found.

13 Jul 2015

Researchers reveal how certain lipids help adenoviruses to enter the cell

Adenoviruses cause numerous diseases, such as eye or respiratory infections, and they are widely used in gene therapy. Researchers from the University of Zurich have now discovered how these viruses penetrate the cells, a key step for infection and gene delivery. The cell unwillingly supports virus entry and infection by providing lipids that are normally used to repair damaged membranes.

10 Jul 2015

Findings shed light on how symmetrical, round cells become polarized and directional

When Greek mythology and cell biology meet, you get the protein Callipygian, recently discovered and named by researchers at The Johns Hopkins University for its role in determining which area of a cell becomes the back as it begins to move.

8 Jul 2015

MGH-CEM researchers develop microfabricated device to analyze effects of pro-drugs on cancer cells

A team of researchers from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Engineering in Medicine has developed a novel approach that dramatically simplifies the evaluation of the liver's drug-metabolizing activity and the potential toxic effects of the products of that activity on other organs.

8 Jul 2015

WPI-led study provides clues to new ways to treat difficult-to-cure fungal infections

A study by a multidisciplinary research team, co-directed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, offers new insights into how virulent fungi adapt through genetic modifications to fight back against the effects of medication designed to block their spread, and how that battle leaves them temporarily weakened. These insights may provide clues to new ways to treat notoriously difficult-to-cure fungal infections like thrush and vaginitis.

7 Jul 2015

UCLA patient successfully receives smaller Total Artificial Heart

A petite 44-year-old woman has received a successful heart transplant at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, thanks to an experimental Total Artificial Heart designed for smaller patients.

2 Jul 2015

UTHealth researchers discover new light-activated proteins that work as 'off switches' for brain cells

Light switches for neurons have made enormous contributions to brain research by giving investigators access to "on switches" for brain cells. But, finding "off switches" has been much more challenging.

2 Jul 2015

UCLA patient first in California to receive smaller Total Artificial Heart

A petite 44-year-old woman has received a successful heart transplant at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, thanks to an experimental Total Artificial Heart designed for smaller patients.

2 Jul 2015

Wayne State University awarded grant to explore new MS pathology model

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society has provided a grant to a Wayne State University School of Medicine professor to explore a new model of MS pathology.

2 Jul 2015

Implantable microfluid system can efficiently stabilize intraocular pressure

Elevated or diminished eye pressure impairs our ability to see, and in the worst cases, can even lead to blindness. Until now, there has been no effective long-term treatment. In response, Fraunhofer researchers are developing an implantable microfluid system that can efficiently and durably stabilize intraocular pressure.

1 Jul 2015

University of Oslo researchers find the cause of coeliac disease

Professor Ludvig M. Sollid and his colleagues at the University of Oslo have found the cause of coeliac disease. To do so required really going into depth, right down to molecular level.

1 Jul 2015

Certain colon cancer genes take a step back to move forward

Recent Weizmann Institute studies are revealing a complex picture of cancer progression in which certain genes that drive tumor growth in the earlier stages get suppressed in later stages - taking a step back to move forward.

1 Jul 2015

Vitrectomy scatter photocoagulation linked to peripheral thickening in diabetic retinopathy

Early transient peripheral retinochoroidal thickening following pars plana vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy may be related to intraoperative scatter photocoagulation, suggest researchers.

30 Jun 2015

RPE transdifferentiation revealed in AMD

Subducted and melanotic cells in the eyes of patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration derive from two distinct retinal pigment epithelium phenotypes, research shows.

30 Jun 2015

Wistar Institute study shows that PI3K inhibitors may make a patient's cancer even worse

The enzyme phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) appears to be exploited in almost every type of human cancer, making it the focus of considerable interest as a therapeutic target, with many PI3K-inhibiting drugs currently in various stages of clinical development. However, PI3K inhibitors have only shown modest clinical activity with patients who receive these drugs experiencing very little improvement in survival.

30 Jun 2015

Lamont R Jones receives 2015 Research Scholar Award to study pathogenesis of keloids

Lamont R Jones, M.D., vice chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery at Henry Ford Hospital, received the 2015 Research Scholar Award from the Educational and Research Foundation for the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery to continue his efforts to study the pathogenesis of keloids and improve understanding of how keloid scars develop.

26 Jun 2015

Researchers develop protective vaccine against chlamydia infections

Chlamydiae are the most common, sexually transmitted, bacterial pathogens in the world. Every year around 100 million people contract Chlamydia infections, which are one of the main causes of female infertility and ectopic pregnancies and can also lead to blindness - especially in developing countries.

25 Jun 2015

Loyola otolaryngologist emphasizes need to protect children's ears from loud fireworks

They've packed the sunscreen and bug spray to protect their little ones while enjoying a Fourth of July celebration, but many parents don't think about the potential damage that the loud fireworks can do to a young child's ears.

24 Jun 2015

Groundbreaking UVA research may lead to creation of male contraceptive

Groundbreaking new reproductive research from the School of Medicine has identified key molecular events that could be playing a critical role as sperm and egg fuse to create new life. The findings might one day lead to the creation of a male contraceptive.

24 Jun 2015

Membrane News and Research

Study offers new way to suppress growth factors related to cancer cell proliferation

Ultrasound treatment speeds up skin healing among diabetics and the elderly

Researchers reveal how certain lipids help adenoviruses to enter the cell

Findings shed light on how symmetrical, round cells become polarized and directional

MGH-CEM researchers develop microfabricated device to analyze effects of pro-drugs on cancer cells

WPI-led study provides clues to new ways to treat difficult-to-cure fungal infections

UCLA patient successfully receives smaller Total Artificial Heart

UTHealth researchers discover new light-activated proteins that work as 'off switches' for brain cells

UCLA patient first in California to receive smaller Total Artificial Heart

Wayne State University awarded grant to explore new MS pathology model

Implantable microfluid system can efficiently stabilize intraocular pressure

University of Oslo researchers find the cause of coeliac disease

Certain colon cancer genes take a step back to move forward

Vitrectomy scatter photocoagulation linked to peripheral thickening in diabetic retinopathy

RPE transdifferentiation revealed in AMD

Wistar Institute study shows that PI3K inhibitors may make a patient's cancer even worse

Lamont R Jones receives 2015 Research Scholar Award to study pathogenesis of keloids

Researchers develop protective vaccine against chlamydia infections

Loyola otolaryngologist emphasizes need to protect children's ears from loud fireworks

Groundbreaking UVA research may lead to creation of male contraceptive

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