Membrane News and Research

RSS

Researchers discover fundamental entry mechanism of fungal microbes into plant and human host cells

A research team led by scientists at the Virginia Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at Virginia Tech has discovered a fundamental entry mechanism that allows dangerous fungal microbes to infect plants and cause disease. The discovery paves the way for the development of new intervention strategies to protect plant, and even some animal cells, from deadly fungal infections. The findings are published in the July 23 edition of the journal Cell.

23 Jul 2010

ACS to hold symposium on Deepwater Horizon oil spill

The American Chemical Society (ACS) will hold a special day-long symposium on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on Tuesday, Aug. 24 during its National Meeting & Exposition here. The symposium, which includes almost a dozen experts, will examine topics ranging from the spill's effects on marine life to its effects on the safety of seafood. It will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 210C of the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, followed by an open-discussion session from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

21 Jul 2010

Bionas launches new Bionas adcon reader for impedance-based, cellular analysis

Bionas GmbH announces the launch of its new Bionas® adcon reader for impedance-based, cellular analysis. The Bionas adcon reader technology is based on real-time monitoring of cellular impedance, thus giving real-time data about cell adhesion, membrane integrity, cellular morphology and cell proliferation for applications in toxicology, oncology, receptor signaling as well as the quality management of cells.

19 Jul 2010

Over-expression of CIB1 protein triggers biochemical processes that lead to cardiac hypertrophy: Study

Scientists have identified a key molecular regulator of cardiac hypertrophy (enlargement of the heart) that may provide a therapeutic target for a major risk factor of heart failure and early death.

19 Jul 2010

Research findings may help identify human TOR kinase inhibitors

A parasite estimated to afflict as many as 12 million people worldwide relies on a family of genes that should make it vulnerable to compounds developed to treat cancer and other disorders, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found.

17 Jul 2010

Human impact on health of soil, and impact of unhealthy soil on society are intertwined, says LSU researcher

It may sound counterintuitive, but LSU Associate Professor of Chemistry Robert Cook has made a career out of studying the ways organic materials found in the environment, including soils, can either get dirty or stay clean. In fact, the National Science Foundation, or NSF, was so impressed with his efforts that the funding institute awarded Cook one of its most prestigious awards - the NSF CAREER award.

16 Jul 2010

Studying retrovirus assembly can help new drug development for infection control

How a retrovirus, like HIV, reproduces and assembles new viruses is different than previously thought, according to Penn State College of Medicine researchers. Understanding the steps a virus takes for assembly could allow development of a way to prevent the spread of retroviral diseases. The team studied a chicken virus called Rous sarcoma virus that causes cancer in chickens and is similar to HIV.

16 Jul 2010

Scientists discover gene mutation responsible for CDG

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, has discovered the gene mutation responsible for a condition in which eye and brain development is severely disrupted in affected infants.

16 Jul 2010

Enzyme mTOR regulates autophagy: Study

Cells that consume parts of themselves can stop this process autonomously as well. This was discovered by NWO researcher Judith Klumperman's group, in collaboration with colleagues from the National Institute of Health in Washington. The self-cannibalism is part of the normal digestive process of the cell, but also a survival mechanism in times of famine. This is what makes it difficult for doctors to 'starve out' cancer cells, for instance. The research results were published on 6 June in Nature.

15 Jul 2010

New research focuses on calcium channels in lysosome membrane

In cells, as in cities, disposing of garbage and recycling anything that can be reused is an essential service. In both city and cell, health problems can arise when the process breaks down.

15 Jul 2010

Research provides better understanding of drugs used to treat, prevent cardiovascular disease

Using chemical labeling and mass spectrometry-based techniques, Mark Chance, PhD, director of the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics and professor of physiology and biophysics; Sayan Gupta, PhD, instructor at the Case Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics; and a research team from the University of Oxford, for the first time, were able to take a high resolution picture of the open state of a K+ channel, allowing them to comparatively analyze gating mechanisms important to heart function and nerve signaling - in addition these techniques have already permitted Case Western investigators to gain a deeper understanding of G-protein coupled receptors.

14 Jul 2010

Integra LifeSciences launches DuraGen Plus Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation announced today the launch of DuraGen Plus® Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix, an absorbable and sutureless collagen onlay indicated as a dura substitute for the repair of dura mater.

9 Jul 2010

New method enhances delivery of DNA payloads into cells

Chang Lu and his chemical engineering research group at Virginia Tech have discovered how to "greatly enhance" the delivery of DNA payloads into cells. The description of their work will be featured on the cover of Lab on a Chip (issue 16), the premier journal for researchers in microfluidics.

9 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

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

Scientists discover nanoparticle to deliver DNA with minimum toxic effect

In lab experiments, the researchers have found that this device, a vector, is able to deliver DNA deeply enough into a cell to allow genetic material to be activated - a critical step in gene therapy. This vector is between 2 - and 10 times more effective than other experimental materials, according to the research.

7 Jul 2010

Novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth, metastasis in ER-positive breast cancer discovered

A multi-disciplinary team of international researchers from Ghent University in Belgium, National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in the US, Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, and INSERM in France have uncovered a novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth and metastasis in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer.

6 Jul 2010

Parkinson's Disease Foundation awards $1.2M for research programs

The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) is pleased to announce awards totaling $1.2 million for research projects designed to understand the cause(s) of and find a cure for Parkinson's disease (PD).

2 Jul 2010

Research shows promising targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes patients

Named for the furballs whose astonishing fecundity made them stars in early Star Trek episodes, the tribbles protein, first identified in fruit flies, aids in regulating many cell processes in humans. Joslin Diabetes Center researchers now have identified mechanisms triggered by a variant of the tribbles gene that cause trouble in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells—and that offer a promising target for therapies for people with type 2 diabetes, even if they don't carry that gene variant.

2 Jul 2010

InNexus develops IXS312 small protein fragment as topical therapy for AMD, diabetic retinal dysplasia

InNexus Biotechnology Inc., a drug development company commercializing the next generation of antibodies based on its groundbreaking Dynamic Cross Linking (DXL™) technology, today announced that it has developed IXS312(VEGF), an antibody fragment with activity against the growth factor VEGF for planned use in ocular treatments.

30 Jun 2010

Membrane News and Research

Researchers discover fundamental entry mechanism of fungal microbes into plant and human host cells

ACS to hold symposium on Deepwater Horizon oil spill

Bionas launches new Bionas adcon reader for impedance-based, cellular analysis

Over-expression of CIB1 protein triggers biochemical processes that lead to cardiac hypertrophy: Study

Research findings may help identify human TOR kinase inhibitors

Human impact on health of soil, and impact of unhealthy soil on society are intertwined, says LSU researcher

Studying retrovirus assembly can help new drug development for infection control

Scientists discover gene mutation responsible for CDG

Enzyme mTOR regulates autophagy: Study

New research focuses on calcium channels in lysosome membrane

Research provides better understanding of drugs used to treat, prevent cardiovascular disease

Integra LifeSciences launches DuraGen Plus Dural Regeneration Matrix - Spinal Matrix

New method enhances delivery of DNA payloads into cells

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

TWINCORE researchers develop new model approaches for HCV research

Scientists discover nanoparticle to deliver DNA with minimum toxic effect

Novel molecular pathway that regulates invasive growth, metastasis in ER-positive breast cancer discovered

Parkinson's Disease Foundation awards $1.2M for research programs

Research shows promising targeted therapies for type 2 diabetes patients

InNexus develops IXS312 small protein fragment as topical therapy for AMD, diabetic retinal dysplasia

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

Latest Life Science News