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New open-source software tool could accelerate genetic discoveries

Commercially viable biofuel crops are vital to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and a new tool developed by the Center for Advanced Bioenergy and Bioproducts Innovation should accelerate their development -; as well as genetic editing advances overall.

17 Feb 2022

Superior immune response in vaccinated after infection with Omicron compared to unvaccinated

In a recent study posted to the medRxiv* preprint server, researchers evaluated the cross-reactivity of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant-triggered neutralization and fragment crystallizable (Fc) effector functions between coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in South Africa.

16 Feb 2022

USP22 crucial for type III interferon signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, a team of researchers demonstrated that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) is a crucial regulator of basal interferon (IFN) signaling in native human intestinal epithelial cells (hIECs).

7 Feb 2022

CRISPRa method helps discover genes that play a role in immune cell biology

CRISPR genome editing has served as a powerful tool for deleting or altering DNA sequences and studying the resulting effect.

3 Feb 2022

SARS-CoV-2 protein NSP2 found to impair microRNA-induced gene silencing in human cells

In a new study, a team of researchers used co-immunoprecipitation and in vitro interaction assays to identify the molecular basis of interaction of SARS-CoV-2 non-structural protein 2 with eIF4E-homologous protein (4EHP)-GRB10-interacting glycine-tyrosine-phenylalanine domain protein 2 complex, involved in microRNA-mediated gene silencing in human cells.

1 Feb 2022

MCL1 regulates neuronal autophagy, cell survival in Alzheimer's disease

Announcing a new review article publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. In this review article, the authors discuss the emerging neuroprotective function of MCL1 and how dysregulation of MCL1 signaling is involved in the pathogenesis of AD.

31 Jan 2022

Cannabidiol inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication in human cells and mice

In research recently published in the journal of Science Advances, an interdisciplinary team of researchers from the University of Chicago assessed the potential role of cannabidiol (CBD), a natural product extracted from the cannabis plant, to prevent and inhibit severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in human cells and mice.

26 Jan 2022

PAXLOVID shown to be highly effective against all SARS-CoV-2 variants

A recent study, currently available on bioRxiv* preprint server, shows that a novel protease inhibitor known as nirmatrelvir has potent activity against Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), but also other variants evaluated in this paper – which supports its potential role in reducing the disease burden from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

21 Jan 2022

UAB research outlines successful xenotransplantation of genetically modified kidneys

The University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine announces today the first peer-reviewed research outlining the successful transplant of genetically modified, clinical-grade pig kidneys into a brain-dead human individual, replacing the recipient's native kidneys.

20 Jan 2022

Exploring the potential utility of calcium channel inhibitors in SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a new study, researchers discuss the role of calcium signaling pathways as targets of inhibition in potential new antiviral therapeutic pathways for SARS-CoV-2.

20 Jan 2022

New findings could contribute to future therapeutics for muscle degeneration

An international team led by uOttawa Faculty of Medicine researchers have published findings that could contribute to future therapeutics for muscle degeneration due to old age, and diseases such as cancer and muscular dystrophy.

19 Jan 2022

Researchers investigate the role of a key component of the circadian clock in heart disease

Disrupting circadian rhythms, which change naturally on a 24-hour cycle, has been implicated in heart disease, but it is unclear how it leads to the condition.

17 Jan 2022

COPD: Ion channels in immune cells could potentially be targets for new therapies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD for short – is one of the most common diseases of the lung. It affects almost 300 million people worldwide, of which about three million die every year.

17 Jan 2022

Study provides valuable insight into the developmental origins of schizophrenia

Scientists from Cardiff University have discovered new links between the breakdown in brain cell development and the risk of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.

16 Jan 2022

MAPK4 may play a key role in triple-negative breast cancer

Scientific evidence supporting the involvement of the enzyme MAPK4 in cancer growth and resistance to certain therapies has been growing quickly.

12 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 levels decrease when human SIRT5 is deleted or inhibited

Researchers examine the role of human sirtuin 5 (SIRT5) in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

10 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 differs from other betacoronaviruses in a key IRE1α/XBP1 pathway

SARS-CoV-2 differs from other viruses in the beta coronavirus family in the activation of a key pathway associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress.

3 Jan 2022

Star-shaped cells in the brain regulate cognitive flexibility

As we live in a dynamically changing environment, it is important for our brain to not only learn new things but also to modify existing memories.

21 Dec 2021

QTQTN motif upstream of furin-cleavage site in SARS-CoV-2 infection and pathogenesis

A new study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server aimed to demonstrate whether the loss of the QTQTN motif attenuates SARS-CoV-2 replication in respiratory cells in vitro and pathogenesis in hamsters.

20 Dec 2021

NYU Langone Health performs second successful investigational xenotransplantation procedure

Less than two months after the first breakthrough surgery, NYU Langone Health has performed its second successful investigational xenotransplantation procedure using a genetically engineered pig kidney.

13 Dec 2021