Membrane News and Research

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Synaptophysin controls replacement of vesicles

A University of Wisconsin-Madison research team has solved a 25-year mystery that may lead to better treatments for people with learning deficits and mental retardation.

9 Jun 2011

Therapeutic equivalent to replace penicillin

Antibiotics are among the greatest achievements of medical science. But lately the former multi-purpose weapon fails in the battle against infectious diseases. Bacteria are increasingly developing resistance to antibiotics. Researchers have now found a therapeutic equivalent which could replace penicillin and related phamaceuticals.

8 Jun 2011

Self-assembling mini devices now enlisted in nanomedicine revolution

Measured in billionths of a meter, self-assembling nano-sized devices designed to carry drugs and imaging agents into the body are revolutionizing medicine by improving drug solubility and bio-distribution, providing a platform for combining targeting and imaging agents, and enabling membrane barriers to be crossed as well as making drug and imaging agent combination therapies possible.

8 Jun 2011

Researchers reveal surprising link between cell's skeleton and organ size

A group of scientists at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ci-ncia, in Portugal, have uncovered a surprising link between the cell's skeleton and organ size. The team, led by Florence Janody, show in the journal Development, that one of the proteins that regulates the skeleton of the cell also acts to blocks activation of genes that promote cell survival and proliferation.

7 Jun 2011

Astellas to present positive AGS-1C4D4 phase II data in metastatic pancreatic cancer at ASCO 2011

Astellas Pharma Global Development, Inc., a subsidiary of Astellas Pharma Inc. based in Tokyo, Japan, today announced that it will be presenting data from a phase II study evaluating AGS-1C4D4 in metastatic pancreatic cancer in a poster session at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) 2011 Annual Meeting in Chicago.

6 Jun 2011

Super microscopes help scientists identify exact molecular 'switch' that spurs T-cells into action

Using the only microscope of its kind in Australia, medical scientists have been able for the first time to see the inner workings of T-cells, the front-line troops that alert our immune system to go on the defensive against germs and other invaders in our bloodstream.

6 Jun 2011

New understanding of muscle growth and repair

Revealing another part of the story of muscle development, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown how the cytoskeleton from one muscle cell builds finger-like projections that invade into another muscle cell’s territory, eventually forcing the cells to combine.

5 Jun 2011

Scientists use super microscope to pinpoint body’s immunity ‘switch’

5 Jun 2011

Scientists to reveal latest research breakthroughs at 'Chemistry and Health' conference

To mark the International Year of Chemistry, the 94th Canadian Chemistry Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Palais des congr-s de Montr-al from June 5 to 9, 2011. The gathering is the biggest ever annual event in Canada to focus on science and the practice of chemistry.

4 Jun 2011

DFG to form new collaborative research centers as of 1 July 2011

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) will establish 21 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) as of 1 July 2011. This was decided by the relevant Grants Committee at its spring meeting in Bonn.

4 Jun 2011

Dendritic cells secrete signal molecule that contributes to pathogenesis of atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of cardiovascular disease, and results from chronic inflammation of arterial vessel walls. An international collaboration led by Professor Christian Weber of Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität (LMU) in Munich and Privatdozentin Alma Zernecke of Würzburg University now shows that dendritic cells stimulate this process by derailing a mechanism that normally acts as a brake on immune reactions.

4 Jun 2011

Brown University researchers develop 2-D maps of neural circuitry in human brain

Medical imaging systems allow neurologists to summon 3-D color renditions of the brain at a moment's notice, yielding valuable insights. But sometimes there can be too much detail; important elements can go unnoticed.

4 Jun 2011

Peptide vaccine, Interleukin-2 show promise for patients with metastatic melanoma

For patients with advanced melanoma, which is the most lethal type of skin cancer, the results of a large clinical trial show that a vaccine combined with the immune-boosting drug Interleukin-2 can improve response rate and progression-free survival.

4 Jun 2011

MreB protein molecules assemble into larger units in bacterial cell wall

Almost all bacteria owe their structure to an outer cell wall that interacts closely with the supporting MreB protein inside the cell. As scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry and at the French INRA now show, MreB molecules assemble into larger units, but not - as previously believed - into continuous helical structures.

4 Jun 2011

Insight into understanding of normal muscle growth

Revealing another part of the story of muscle development, Johns Hopkins researchers have shown how the cytoskeleton from one muscle cell builds finger-like projections that invade into another muscle cell's territory, eventually forcing the cells to combine.

4 Jun 2011

Cancer vaccine shows improved response rate in patients

A vaccine for one of the most lethal cancers, advanced melanoma, has improved response rate and progression-free survival for patients when combined with the immunotherapy drug Interleukin-2, according to research led by scientists from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Indiana University Health Goshen Center for Cancer Care.

3 Jun 2011

Lung-sparing surgery, photodynamic therapy improve survival of mesothelioma patients

Pleural mesothelioma patients who undergo lung-sparing surgery in combination with photodynamic therapy (PDT) show superior overall survival than patient treated using the conventional therapy of extrapleural pneumonectomy (EPP) with PDT, indicates new research from the Raymond and Ruth Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

3 Jun 2011

Scientists identify protein sorting mechanism used by salivary gland

University of Louisville researchers are one step closer to helping millions of people whose salivary glands no longer work because of disease or damage from treatment of diseases.

3 Jun 2011

Bio-Tissue ships over 7,500 ProKera medical device since product's inception

Bio-Tissue, the industry leader in Ophthalmic tissue products, announced today that it has shipped over 7,500 ProKera units since the product's inception. ProKera is the only medical device that can provide wound healing to over 350,000 annual cases of patients afflicted with damaged ocular surfaces.

2 Jun 2011

Heptares, AstraZeneca partner to discover and develop new GPCR drug targets

AstraZeneca and Heptares Therapeutics today announced they have entered a four-year collaboration focused on the potential discovery and development of new medicines targeting G-protein coupled receptors.

31 May 2011