B Cell News and Research

RSS

Researchers develop computer program to accurately simulate protein folding

All proteins self-assemble in a fraction of the blink of an eye, but it can take a long time to mimic the process. And there has been no guarantee of success, even with the most powerful computers - until now.

8 Jul 2010

Report shows more than one way to get rid of cholesterol

Many of us are simply overloaded with cholesterol, and now a report in the July issue of Cell Metabolism brings what might be good news: There is more than one way to get rid of that cholesterol, which can otherwise lead to atherosclerosis and heart disease.

8 Jul 2010

Report investigates clear cell ICC

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma is a cancer of the bile duct in the liver. The clear cell subtype of ICC is a rare cancer; until now, only 8 cases have been reported. The number of reports is so small that a detail description of clear cell ICC is valuable.

8 Jul 2010

Patent issued for jellyfish protein for therapeutic application

Quincy Bioscience, a research-based biotechnology company, announced the issuance of United States patent No.7,671,015. The patent covers the use of aequorin-containing compounds for the purpose of preventing and alleviating symptoms and disorders related to calcium imbalance.

7 Jul 2010

ISCO and Sankara Nethralaya collaborate to develop "CytoCor" stem cell-derived corneal tissue

International Stem Cell Corporation and Sankara Nethralaya, announced today commencement of a collaboration to develop ISCO's "CytoCor™" stem cell-derived corneal tissue. The goal is to use CytoCor to treat corneal blindness and vision impairment. "This is one more step in ISCO's stated plan of building its portfolio of therapeutic agents through strategic alliances throughout the world," said Chairman, Ken Aldrich.

7 Jul 2010

Scientists identify potential disease genes in humans and mice

An international consortium of scientists of Helmholtz Zentrum München and the University of Toronto has identified previously unknown potential disease genes in humans and mice. Genes on the X chromosome, which regulate embryonic development, are the focus of the current publication in the renowned journal Genome Research. Men have only one X chromosome, and therefore mutations on this chromosome disproportionately affect males, frequently leading to serious diseases such as hemophilia, muscular dystrophy and mental retardation.

7 Jul 2010

Researchers to discuss connection between brown fat and obesity

Researchers from all over the world will meet at Stockholm University this weekend, July 10 and 11, to discuss for the first time the connection in adult humans between brown fat and the risk of becoming obese.

7 Jul 2010

Map of herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" provides new target for antiviral drugs

The mechanism by which a herpes virus invades cells has remained a mystery to scientists seeking to thwart this family of viruses. New research funded by the National Institutes of Health and published online in advance of print in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology reveals the unusual structure of the protein complex that allows a herpes virus to invade cells. This detailed map of a key piece of the herpes virus "cell-entry machinery" gives scientists a new target for antiviral drugs.

7 Jul 2010

Trigger that induces B cells to produce early, effective antibody response discovered

Researchers at National Jewish Health have discovered a trigger that induces B cells to produce effective and long-lived antibodies early in the immune response. They found that a molecule that binds toll-like receptors doubles the early antibody response to an antigen, and shifts it to a more effective, IgG form.

7 Jul 2010

Researchers identify key players in biochemical pathway that regulates blood pressure

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified key players in a little-known biochemical pathway that appears to regulate blood pressure. The findings, reported in the early online version of Cardiovascular Research, have evolved from studies conducted by Jeffrey S. Isenberg, M.D., Eileen M. Bauer, Ph.D., and their colleagues at Pitt's Vascular Medicine Institute.

7 Jul 2010

New insights into dendritic spine deficits in schizophrenia

Dendritic spines act as hubs for communication between nerve cells. Reductions in spines may contribute to a lack of coordination in activity between brain regions. This structural abnormality is particularly relevant in schizophrenia, where pyramidal neurons located in layer 3, the principal cell type receiving communication from other brain regions, have fewer dendritic spines.

7 Jul 2010

Research could lead to remote stimulation of cells to treat cancer or diabetes

Clusters of heated, magnetic nanoparticles targeted to cell membranes can remotely control ion channels, neurons and even animal behavior, according to a paper published by University at Buffalo physicists in Nature Nanotechnology.

7 Jul 2010

AUGIB patients more likely to suffer further bleeding with early red blood cell transfusion

Doctors have called for an urgent review of transfusion policies after a UK-wide study of over 200 hospitals found that patients admitted with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding (AUGIB) are more than twice as likely to suffer further bleeding if they receive a red blood cell transfusion within 12 hours.

7 Jul 2010

Study identifies factors that control production of HSCs

A team of researchers from the Institute for Research in Immunology and Cancer of the University of Montreal have made significant progress in the understanding of blood-producing (hematopoietic) stem cells. The study led by IRIC Chief Executive Officer and Scientific Director, Dr. Guy Sauvageau, identifies factors that control the production of hematopoietic stem cells.

7 Jul 2010

TWINCORE researchers develop new model approaches for HCV research

The hepatitis C virus is highly specialised. We humans are its natural hosts. The only other living organisms that could be infected with the hepatitis C virus in the lab are chimpanzees. Nevertheless it is - from the viewpoint of the virus - highly successful: around 170 million people are chronically infected with the virus. And with the chronic infection the risk of developing liver cancer also increases.

7 Jul 2010

Study: High concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure

A new study by UCSF cardiologists and researchers found that high concentrations of cocoa flavanols decrease blood pressure, improve the health of blood vessels and increase the number of circulating blood-vessel-forming cells in patients with heart disease. The findings indicate that foods rich in flavanols - such as cocoa products, tea, wine, and various fruits and vegetables - have a cardio-protective benefit for heart disease patients.

7 Jul 2010

New research shows cellular changes in fat tissue lead to type 2 diabetes

Cellular changes in fat tissue-not the immune system-lead to the "hyperinflammation" characteristic of obesity-related glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes, according to new research from the University of Cincinnati.

7 Jul 2010

Multicolor quantum dots can distinguish Reed-Sternberg cells, article shows

The tunable fluorescent nanoparticles known as quantum dots make ideal tools for distinguishing and identifying rare cancer cells in tissue biopsies, Emory and Georgia Tech scientists have demonstrated.

7 Jul 2010

Molecular Templates enters into oncology drug discovery and translation research agreement with ImClone

Molecular Templates announced today that it has entered into a collaborative oncology drug discovery and translation research agreement with ImClone Systems, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company.

7 Jul 2010

MicroRNAs accurately identify four histological types of renal tumors: Study

Rosetta Genomics, Ltd., a leading developer and provider of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announces that a peer-reviewed article entitled "Accurate Molecular Classification of Renal Tumors Using MicroRNA Expression" has been published in the online version of The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics.

7 Jul 2010