Cell Biology

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Researchers discover how mitochondria deploy a powerful punch against disease-causing bacteria

The constant battle for dominance between disease-causing bacteria and our immune systems has led to the evolution of some crafty warfare tactics on both sides.

12 Nov 2018

Study shows novel strategy to reduce breast cancer bone metastasis

Uncovering a novel mechanism that promotes growth of breast cancer bone metastasis has revealed a potential Achilles' heel for these cancer cells. Reported in the journal Cancer Cell, the study shows that interfering with this mechanism can reduce the risk of relapses in animal models.

12 Nov 2018

Study shows how pneumococci challenge the immune system

Pneumococci are the most common cause of respiratory tract infections, such as otitis and sinusitis, as well as of severe infections like pneumonia and meningitis.

12 Nov 2018

Kawasaki disease may be triggered by a combination of environmental factors

A new study has found that Kawasaki disease (KD) is not caused by one single factor but has multiple environmental triggers.

12 Nov 2018

Failed DNA repair triggers chromosomal chaos in cancer cells

Researchers have established the trigger for catastrophic events that occur within the chromosomes of cancer cells and lead to cancer cell death.

12 Nov 2018

The Human Mini Heart-in-a-Jar That Could One Day Replace Animal Testing

An interview with Dr. Kevin Costa, discussing the miniaturized heart-in-a-jar model developed by Novoheart, and its applications in personalized medicine.

12 Nov 2018

Mitochondrial DNA may have strong influence on cellular metabolism and disease susceptibility

About 1.5 billion years ago, tiny visitors came to live inside the cells that later evolved into all plant and animal life -- including humans.

9 Nov 2018

UCI researchers accelerate and simplify directed evolution bioengineering technique

In a process known as directed evolution, scientists reengineer biomolecules to find ones that perform beneficial new functions. The field is revolutionizing drug development, chemical engineering and other applications, but to realize its promise involves painstaking and time-consuming laboratory work.

9 Nov 2018

Scientists uncover hidden estrogen receptors in epithelial breast cells

Estrogens are hormones that play central roles in the development and the physiology of the breast, but also are involved in breast cancer. Like all hormones, estrogens exert their biological effects by binding to dedicated receptors in the target cell.

9 Nov 2018

Cells retain memory of chemical signals to which they are exposed

We all start out as a clump of identical cells. As these cells divide and multiply, they gradually take on distinct identities, acquiring the traits necessary to form, for instance, muscle tissue, bone, or nerves. A recent study from Rockefeller scientists offers new insight into how these cellular identities are cultivated over the course of development.

9 Nov 2018

ChromDesign project trains budding scientists in 3D architecture of genome

How does the three-dimensional architecture of our genes affect the differentiation of cells and development of diseases? This is the question behind the European Innovation Training Network "ChromDesign- Chromatin and Design".

8 Nov 2018

Salk researchers solve genetic 'whodunnit' for cancer gene

Long thought to suppress cancer by slowing cellular metabolism, the protein complex AMPK also seemed to help some tumors grow, confounding researchers. Now, Salk Institute researchers have solved the long-standing mystery around why AMPK can both hinder and help cancer.

8 Nov 2018

Study explains how dermal fibroblasts age

With age, our tissues lose their function and capacity to regenerate after being damaged. A study published today in Cell by scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine and the Centro Nacional de Análisis Genómico of the Center for Genomic Regulation explains how dermal fibroblasts age.

8 Nov 2018

Changing Perspectives of the Triggers of Cell Division

Cell division is integral to understanding development, growth and disease states such as cancer. It has long been known that for replication, a complete new set of DNA and the formation of a septum, dividing the two cells, are necessary. New research changes perspectives of how these two processes influence the timing of cell division.

8 Nov 2018

One type of Chlamydia protein manipulates human cells in two different ways

When Chlamydia trachomatis, the bacterium that causes one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide, infects a human cell, it hijacks parts of the host to build protective layers around itself.

8 Nov 2018

Researchers develop technique to disrupt communication between microorganisms

The World Health Organization considers Pseudomonas aeruginosa a germ requiring urgent action to prevent and control its spread. The bacteria can cause a variety of diseases from chronic lung infections to sepsis.

8 Nov 2018

CWRH/UH researcher receives grant to study role of KLF2 factor in vascular-related disorders

Transcription factors are proteins that determine whether specific genes are transcribed or not by binding to DNA. In other words, they help turn genes "on" or "off."

8 Nov 2018

New research to understand fundamental role of ubiquitin in cell death or survival

An effective regulation of programmed cell death is crucial for the correct development of embryos, a working innate immune system, and the prevention of cancer. How cells control the switch between cell survival and death, and which signaling pathways are involved, remain unclear.

8 Nov 2018

Mutant p53 protein 'tackles' DNA guardian to drive tumor development

Melbourne scientists have discovered how tumor development is driven by mutations in the most important gene in preventing cancer, p53.

7 Nov 2018

Tracking down microRNA candidates linked to disease

What started as Ninad Oak's side project turned out into something much larger, his doctorate thesis. "The project started as my qualifying exam that I proposed at the end of my first year of graduate school," said Oak, a graduate student in molecular and human genetics in Dr. Sharon E. Plon's lab. "This was an off topic qualifying exam at the time, meaning the lab had not worked on this topic before."

7 Nov 2018