Newswise Curated News Channel: National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)

Biologists Pinpoint Key Factor in Immune System Response to Viral Infection

University of California San Diego — Thu, 13 Jan 2022 20:05:39 EST

Researchers studying how small worms defend themselves against pathogens have discovered a gene that acts as a first-line response against infection. They identified "ZIP-1" as a centralized hub for immune response, a finding could have implications for understanding human immunity against viruses.

Johns Hopkins Study: Biosensor Barcodes Identify, Detail 'Chatting' Among Cancer Cells

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Tue, 30 Nov 2021 12:10:24 EST

Ever since the first barcode appeared on a pack of chewing gum in 1974, the now-ubiquitous system has enabled manufacturers, retailers and consumers to quickly and effectively identify, characterize, locate and track products and materials. In a paper first posted online Nov. 26, 2021, in the journal Cell, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and The Johns Hopkins University demonstrate how they can do the same thing at the molecular level, studying the ways cancer cells "talk" with one another.

Master developmental genes play role in adulthood, according to new study

Stowers Institute for Medical Research — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 10:45:13 EST

Among their many extraordinary feats, some planarian flatworms reproduce by tearing off pieces of themselves to regenerate new worms. Now, researchers at the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered that this process is controlled by Hox genes, a family of genes known to orchestrate important aspects of early development.

Mouse Cell Studies Show That Correcting DNA Disorganization Could Aid Diagnosis and Treatment of Rare Inherited Diseases

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Sun, 14 Nov 2021 20:00:00 EST

Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have found that a protein that helps form a structural network under the surface of the cell's "command center" -- its nucleus -- is key to ensuring that DNA inside it remains orderly.

Safety concerns raised for neuroblastoma candidate drug

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital — Tue, 09 Nov 2021 10:00:00 EST

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists have identified the primary target of the experimental cancer drug CX-5164, revealing a possible risk for late effects of treatment.

High Molecular Weight DNA Now Available from NIGMS and NHGRI Collections

Coriell Institute for Medical Research — Wed, 13 Oct 2021 09:00:49 EST

The NIGMS Human Genetic Cell Repository (HGCR) and NHGRI Sample Repository for Human Genetic Research (SRHGR) now offer high molecular weight (HMW) DNA samples isolated from cell lines in the collections. HMW DNA is useful for long-read next-generation sequencing and studies that investigate large-scale genomic variation such as structural variation.

Research Identifies Potential Role of 'Junk DNA' Sequence in Aging, Cancer

Washington State University — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 11:50:29 EST

The human body is essentially made up of trillions of living cells.

Wayne State Receives $1.97 Million NIH Grant to Provide Research Training to Undergraduates

Wayne State University Division of Research — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 10:05:55 EST

Researchers at Wayne State University recently received a nearly $1.97 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health for the T34 program, Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC).

New grant-funded research could help improve therapies for sepsis

University of Kentucky — Thu, 06 May 2021 13:05:51 EST

A University of Kentucky College of Medicine professor has been awarded a $1.9 million NIH grant for his research on the body's immune response to sepsis, which could potentially help to improve therapies for the common disease.

Shape-shifting Ebola virus protein exploits human RNA to change shape

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 11:10:17 EST

In a new Cell Reports study, researchers at La Jolla Institute for Immunology demonstrate how Ebola virus has found a different way to get things done. The virus encodes only eight proteins but requires dozens of functions in its lifecycle. The new study shows how one of Ebola virus's key proteins, VP40, uses molecular triggers in the human cell to transform itself into different tools for different jobs.

Amoeba Biology Reveals Potential Treatment Target for Lung Disease

Johns Hopkins Medicine — Tue, 13 Apr 2021 11:00:44 EST

In a series of experiments that began with amoebas -- single-celled organisms that extend podlike appendages to move around -- Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have identified a genetic pathway that could be activated to help sweep out mucus from the lungs of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease a widespread lung ailment.

A clue to how some fast-growing tumors hide in plain sight

La Jolla Institute for Immunology — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 12:00:00 EST

Viruses churn out genetic material in parts of the cell where it's not supposed to be. Cancer cells do too. A new study shows that a tumor-suppressor enzyme called DAPK3 is an essential component of a multi-protein system that senses misplaced genetic material in tumor cells, and slows tumor growth by activating the fierce-sounding STING pathway.

New discovery explains antihypertensive properties of green and black tea

University of California, Irvine — Mon, 08 Mar 2021 13:20:12 EST

A new study from the University of California, Irvine shows that compounds in both green and black tea relax blood vessels by activating ion channel proteins in the blood vessel wall. The discovery helps explain the antihypertensive properties of tea and could lead to the design of new blood pressure-lowering medications.

Supercomputers Illustrate the Mechanical Process of Cancer Growth

University of California San Diego — Tue, 02 Mar 2021 17:15:49 EST

According to the World Health Organization, one in six worldwide deaths are attributed to cancer, but not due to initial malignant tumors. They were caused by the spread of cancer cells to surrounding tissues, which consist largely of collagen. That was the focus of a recent study by Stanford University and Purdue University researchers.

Study May Help Pregnant Women and Others 'Scratch' Spinal Morphine-Induced Itch

Health Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh — Wed, 03 Feb 2021 14:00:00 EST

Researchers identified spinal cord neurons responsible for an itchy sensation after an epidural morphine injection and found a drug that may fix the problem without reducing morphine's pain-killing effects.

When Strains of E.coli Play Rock-Paper-Scissors, It's Not the Strongest That Survives

University of California San Diego — Wed, 09 Dec 2020 11:05:01 EST

What happens when different strains of bacteria are present in the same system? Do they co-exist? Do the strongest survive? In a microbial game of rock-paper-scissors, researchers at the University of California San Diego's BioCircuits Institute uncovered a surprising answer.

SLAC, Stanford to host national service center for cryo-ET sample preparation

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory — Wed, 04 Nov 2020 16:50:28 EST

The NIH is establishing a national service center at the SLAC and Stanford where biomedical researchers can learn how to prepare extremely thin specimens that are frozen into a glassy state for cryogenic electron tomography (cryo-ET), a powerful tool for directly visualizing cellular components in 3D.

UB biophysicist to explore molecular mysteries of protein-RNA droplets

University at Buffalo — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:20:50 EST

Inside human cells, proteins and RNA can cluster together to form spherical droplets that play vital roles in cellular processes as well as in certain human diseases. A $2 million grant will allow biophysicist Priya Banerjee's team at UB to explore the molecular details of protein-RNA condensates.

Microgel Immuno-acceptance Method Could Improve Pancreatic Islet Transplant Success

Georgia Institute of Technology — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 08:15:48 EST

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology and University of Missouri developed a new microgel drug delivery method that could extend the effectiveness of pancreatic islet transplantations -- from several years to possibly the entire lifespan of a recipient.

Leading-edge Technology Unmasks Protein Linked to Parkinson's Disease

University of California San Diego Health — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:55:40 EST

Parkinson's is a neurological disorder that progressively attacks motor functions, leading to lasting damage in movement and coordination. Researchers studying the primary causes of the disease have focused on mutations of the protein known as leucine-rich repeat kinase 2, or LRRK2.