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Experts introduce new gene therapy approach for muscle weakness

Experts at Children’s National Hospital have created a new pre-clinical gene therapy for the rare condition limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) 2B.

7 Jan 2022

Novel delivery system for genome editing in vascular endothelial cells developed

The laboratory of Youyang Zhao developed a novel nanoparticle to deliver genome editing technology, such as CRISPR/Cas9, to endothelial cells, which line blood vessel walls.

7 Jan 2022

New model system reveals how tiny bacteria from the environment have adapted to live inside humans

The microbes that live inside our mouths, collectively known as the oral microbiome, impact our overall health in many ways that are not yet fully understood.

4 Jan 2022

Olfactory receptor gene may drive breast cancer metastasis to the brain

An olfactory receptor gene that aids in the sense of smell may also play a role in the metastasis of breast cancer to the brain, bones and lung, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital have found.

4 Jan 2022

Cryobioprinting uses a bioink embedded with cells to print frozen and complex structures

A new technique takes bioprinting -; in which an ink of cells is printed, layer by layer, to form a structure -; to a whole new, and icy level. Investigators from the Zhang lab at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a technology that they term "cryobioprinting," a method that uses a bioink embedded with cells to print frozen, complex structures that can be easily stored for later use.

31 Dec 2021

Severe lung injuries can trigger stem cells to undergo abnormal differentiation, study finds

Severe injuries to the lung from diseases such as COVID-19 trigger abnormal stem cell repair that alters the architecture of the lung. The aberrant stem cell differentiation in response to injury can prevent the restoration of normal lung function.

31 Dec 2021

COVID-19 virus spreads through cell-to-cell transmission

The virus that causes COVID-19 has adopted some stealth moves to stay alive and kicking, and one secret to its success is hiding from the immune system by spreading through cell-to-cell transmission, a new study has found.

24 Dec 2021

Study identifies two proteins as novel markers of aggressive prostate cancer

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and is among the top five causes of cancer-related death. In most cases, prostate cancer can be successfully treated but there is a group of patients who suffer an aggressive course and often fatal outcome.

23 Dec 2021

Experts carry out the first major genetic study into cortical folding patterns

The brain’s surface, the cortex, is folded into an intricate pattern of grooves (sulci) and bumps (gyri). Individual differences in this pattern are associated with cognitive performance and brain disorders, however very little is known on how the “bumpiness and grooviness” of the cortex is determined.

23 Dec 2021

Genetic mutation appears to be a predisposing factor for COPD independent of smoking

In 2019, the WHO positioned chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) third in the global ranking of causes of death.

From Institut Pasteur 15 Dec 2021

Detecting high-impact rare genetic variants in individuals with severe schizophrenia

New research published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that examining genetic mutations in individuals with severe schizophrenia can improve the ability to detect disease-associated rare genetic variants.

15 Dec 2021

Study details the design of RNA-based breathalyzer to diagnose SARS-CoV-2

In a new study in The Journal of Molecular Diagnostics, published by Elsevier, investigators report on the design and testing of a breathalyzer, known as the Bubbler, that relies on viral RNA detection to diagnose SARS-CoV-2. Its name is derived from the bubbling sound that occurs when the patient exhales into the device.

14 Dec 2021

Scientists find how cells remain dormant for years before awakening to create metastatic cancer

Mount Sinai researchers have solved a major mystery in cancer research: How cancer cells remain dormant for years after they leave a tumor and travel to other parts of the body, before awakening to create metastatic cancer.

14 Dec 2021

Research describes dynamic genomic landscape of tumor heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma

Clinician scientists and scientists from the National Cancer Centre Singapore and A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore, in collaboration with Singapore General Hospital, the National University Health System, Duke-NUS Medical School, Nanyang Technological University, and collaborators from China, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, have described a dynamic genomic landscape of tumour heterogeneity in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

13 Dec 2021

New classification method divides breast cancers into 12 distinct biological groups

Researchers at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center have taken a major step forward in melding two key methods for studying breast cancer: one by genetic analysis and the second by looking at the architecture of cells, or their pathology.

9 Dec 2021

Highly optimized X-ray process delivers high-resolution 3D images of cells

Viral pathogens such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus alter the interior structure of the cells they infect.

8 Dec 2021

Experts create world’s first single-cell atlas of human and porcine eyes

Researchers recently constructed the first single-cell atlas of the human and porcine eyes.

8 Dec 2021

Experts identify first non-coding RNA that controls chromosome loop formation

Recent research carried out by scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) reveals that a significant player in the healthy development of female embryos also performs a vital role in controlling the behavior of chromosome loops and gene expression in both sexes.

7 Dec 2021

Research team grows mini-stomach across varying stages of development

A group of researchers led from Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) hinged on recent progress to culture “mini-organs” in a lab, called organoids.

From University College London 7 Dec 2021

Long-term exposure to particulate matter associated with hypertension

According to the WHO, air pollution is the greatest health risk worldwide, accounting for more than 4.2 million deaths annually.

6 Dec 2021