A naukri.com initiative
Bio News
Bioengineer
11h
302
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Scientists Uncover How Energy Is Transported into the Cell’s Major “Shipping Port”
- A recent discovery by biochemists has elucidated how adenosine triphosphate (ATP) enters the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a crucial process for energy-dependent ER functions.
- The transporter protein SLC35B1 plays a key role in facilitating ATP transport into the ER, offering potential therapeutic targets for ER-related diseases.
- Using cryo-electron microscopy, researchers led by Professor David Drew uncovered the structural details of SLC35B1 and its ATP translocation mechanisms.
- ATP delivery into the ER is vital for cellular processes like protein folding, lipid synthesis, and maintaining cellular homeostasis.
- SLC35B1 operates through a step-wise translocation mechanism, identifying specific binding sites that recognize ATP's properties for transport.
- Targeting SLC35B1 in drug design could modulate ATP transport efficiency, potentially influencing ER-related pathologies like diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
- Collaborative efforts involving CRISPR/Cas9 screening and antibody generation have validated SLC35B1 as a crucial ATP transporter in the ER.
- This groundbreaking research on SLC35B1 sets the stage for developing targeted therapies to address ER-related metabolic imbalances and associated diseases.
- Understanding ATP transport within organelles like the ER sheds light on broader cellular physiology and offers insights into potential therapeutic interventions.
- The study underscores the transformative impact of advanced structural biology techniques like cryo-EM in deciphering membrane protein functions.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
Bioengineer
11h
28
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Rising Burden of Skin Cancer in Older Adults: Trends from 1990 to 2021 and Projections Through 2050
- A recent study highlights the rising incidence of skin cancer among older adults globally, particularly affecting men in high sociodemographic index countries.
- Keratinocyte cancers, mainly basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are the most common skin malignancies, but official data collection on these cancers is incomplete and lacks race and ethnicity information.
- The study reveals a demographic skew towards older males in developed countries due to factors like cumulative UV radiation exposure and diminished DNA repair mechanisms with age.
- Challenges include incomplete data, underreporting in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, and lack of detailed racial and ethnic data affecting risk assessment and policy formulation.
- The study urges enhanced research, standardized reporting protocols, and better utilization of electronic health records for improved cancer registries and risk stratification.
- Prevention strategies targeting older men in high-index countries are essential, and advancements in wearable UV sensors and diagnostic technologies offer promise for early detection.
- Immunotherapy and targeted molecular treatments show efficacy in advanced keratinocyte cancers, but accessibility and cost barriers persist, emphasizing the need for global efforts to democratize these treatments.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare professionals is crucial to address skin cancer comprehensively, integrating socio-economic factors, environmental policies, and personalized medicine approaches.
- The study serves as a call to action for policymakers, clinicians, and researchers to prioritize preventive and therapeutic measures to combat the growing burden of skin cancer in older adults.
- The research underscores the importance of improving data infrastructure, adopting innovative technologies, ensuring equitable healthcare delivery, and implementing targeted public health interventions to mitigate the rise of keratinocyte cancers.
Read Full Article
1 Like
Bioengineer
12h
291
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Innovative Technology Developed to Extend Produce Shelf Life
- Researchers from MIT and SMART have developed a technology using silk microneedles to inject melatonin into harvested plants, extending shelf life without relying on refrigeration.
- The innovative technique leverages the plant's own physiological mechanisms, utilizing melatonin to modulate senescence and stress responses internally.
- Silk fibroin-based microneedles penetrate plant tissues without damage and dissolve naturally, ensuring no toxic residue on produce.
- Melatonin application delays chlorophyll degradation and moisture loss in leafy greens like pak choy, doubling their saleable lifespan.
- Treated plants preserved freshness for up to 25 days in refrigeration, showcasing benefits over traditional methods.
- The technology boosts antioxidant activity in plants, influences gene expression, and delays postharvest deterioration at the cellular level.
- Microneedle patches offer precise and localized delivery, reducing waste and environmental contamination.
- Future developments aim to automate application methods for widespread agricultural adoption and cost efficiency.
- The research indicates potential for revolutionizing postharvest management by tailoring hormone profiles for improved crop quality and environmental impact.
- This innovative approach not only extends shelf life but also addresses food waste, enhances food security, and promotes sustainable agriculture practices.
Read Full Article
17 Likes
Bioengineer
12h
205
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Cleveland Clinic Awarded $5 Million Grant to Lead Biorepository Coordination for Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Research Consortium
- Cleveland Clinic has been awarded a $5 million grant by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation to continue leading the Biorepository Coordinating Center for the Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Consortium until 2030.
- This grant emphasizes the importance of enhancing scientific understanding to improve long-term outcomes for lung transplant recipients, particularly those with cystic fibrosis, through collaborative research.
- The Consortium involves 15 top institutions working together to study and combat complications post lung transplantation.
- Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction (CLAD) is a major cause of lung transplant failure, and the research aims to unravel its complexities for better outcomes.
- The Biorepository Coordinating Center gathers biological specimens and clinical data to support research on CLAD, focusing on genomics, proteomics, and other analyses.
- The goal is to identify biomarkers predicting CLAD onset, progression, and therapy response to advance precision medicine in lung transplantation.
- By standardizing protocols and fostering research collaboration, the initiative seeks to improve transplant candidate selection and post-transplant care for better outcomes.
- The Consortium brings together expertise from various institutions to accelerate translational research and develop new therapies against CLAD.
- This work addresses the urgent need for improved understanding and treatments for CLAD, a critical issue affecting lung transplant longevity.
- The grant supports ongoing biospecimen collection, research expansion, and integration of emerging technologies to enhance the impact of the biorepository on global research initiatives.
Read Full Article
12 Likes
Discover more
Bioengineer
12h
303
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Unveiling the Prognostic and Clinicopathological Impact of circPVT1 in Solid Tumors: Insights from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- A meta-analysis examined the significance of circPVT1 in solid tumors, revealing its correlation with poor overall survival and aggressive tumor traits.
- CircPVT1, a circular RNA derived from the PVT1 gene locus, plays a vital role in cell regulation and oncogenic pathways.
- Data from 27 studies involving over two thousand patients across various solid cancers highlighted the prognostic value of circPVT1.
- Elevated circPVT1 expression was associated with decreased overall survival and advanced clinicopathological features in solid tumors.
- In lung cancer, high circPVT1 levels more than doubled the risk of mortality.
- CircPVT1's mechanisms include acting as a microRNA sponge and modulating gene expression, impacting tumor aggressiveness.
- Its stability and detectability in bodily fluids make circPVT1 a promising candidate for non-invasive diagnostic tools and targeted therapies.
- The study advocates for validation of circPVT1 applications through rigorous clinical trials for widespread clinical implementation.
- Targeting circPVT1 or its downstream effectors could disrupt oncogenic cascades and serve as a novel therapeutic approach.
- Integrating circPVT1 insights into oncology may optimize patient stratification and enhance clinical outcomes in personalized medicine.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
Bioengineer
12h
224
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Vacuolar Sugar Transporters Shape Plant Growth, Yield
- Recent research sheds light on the crucial role of vacuolar sugar transporters (VSTs) in intricately balancing sugar distribution within plant cells, influencing plant growth, development, and agricultural productivity.
- VSTs, located on the tonoplast membrane surrounding vacuoles, regulate the movement of sugars into and out of vacuoles, playing a key role in cellular sugar homeostasis.
- While previous studies focused on plasma membrane sugar transporters, the significance of VSTs in intracellular sugar partitioning has gained recognition through advanced molecular and genetic analyses.
- Evolutionary studies reveal that different classes of VSTs have diversified over millions of years, offering plants a versatile toolset to modulate sugar balance in various tissues and environments.
- Distinct families of tonoplast sugar transporters, including monosaccharide transporter superfamily and ATP-binding cassette transporters, exhibit specificities in substrate transport and modulation of sugar storage.
- VSTs play integral roles in plant development, influencing processes from seed maturation to root and shoot elongation, as well as in sugar signaling pathways and environmental stress responses.
- By regulating sugar partitioning, VSTs enhance plant stress tolerance through modulating osmotic balance, energy reserves, and defense pathways.
- Manipulating VST function presents opportunities for enhancing crop yield and quality by modulating sugar dynamics in plants, with early experiments showing promising results.
- However, there are knowledge gaps in understanding VST expression patterns, molecular mechanisms of specificity, and integrations with broader metabolic networks, necessitating further interdisciplinary research.
- Interdisciplinary approaches involving advanced imaging, transcriptomics, and genetic techniques are crucial for unraveling the complexities of VST biology and translating findings into agricultural applications.
- The study of vacuolar sugar transporters unveils a critical aspect of sugar homeostasis control, with implications extending to plant resilience, crop productivity, and the future of sustainable agriculture.
Read Full Article
13 Likes
Bioengineer
12h
260
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Airborne Biomarker Engine Enables Open-Air Point-of-Care Detection
- An innovative platform called the Airborne Biomarker Localization Engine (ABLE) has been introduced to enhance the detection and analysis of airborne biomarkers for non-invasive health monitoring and environmental surveillance.
- ABLE overcomes challenges in capturing and analyzing dilute airborne biomarkers by concentrating trace molecular and particulate species from ambient air within a short timeframe.
- Traditional airborne biomarker detection methods face limitations due to low concentrations, but ABLE's multiphase condensation approach allows for enhanced detectability and compatibility with liquid-phase biosensing platforms.
- ABLE's technology induces controlled water condensation from ambient air, creating microdroplets that localize and stabilize target analytes, ultimately elevating biomarker concentration while maintaining chemical integrity.
- The platform offers stability in condensate-trapped biomarkers, enabling delayed or transportable analysis without significant signal loss and broadening adaptability to different detection schemes and biomarker classes.
- ABLE can detect both volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and non-volatile particulate matter, expanding its applications in health monitoring, pathogen surveillance, and food safety inspection.
- Its user-friendly design and portability make ABLE suitable for deployment in remote or resource-limited settings, supporting decentralized healthcare and rapid diagnostics in various contexts.
- The platform has shown success in detecting biomarkers relevant to infant health monitoring, respiratory infections, metabolic disorders, and could revolutionize neonatal care with continuous monitoring capabilities.
- In public pathogen surveillance, ABLE's rapid detection of airborne bacterial or viral markers in crowded spaces could aid timely interventions, outbreak monitoring, and biosecurity enhancements.
- ABLE's affordability and compatibility with existing liquid-sensing platforms enhance its potential for widespread adoption, democratizing access to advanced airborne biomarker detection.
- The technology merges condensation chemistry with practical design considerations, offering a transformative solution for non-invasive health monitoring, disease control, and environmental safety in open-air environments.
Read Full Article
15 Likes
Bioengineer
13h
97
Image Credit: Bioengineer
miR-139-5p Triggers Ferroptosis to Halt Glioma
- A study in Cell Death Discovery reveals miR-139-5p's key role in triggering ferroptosis in glioma by targeting HMG-CoA reductase.
- miR-139-5p regulates ferroptosis by suppressing HMG-CoA reductase, impacting mevalonate pathway and lipid metabolism in glioma cells.
- The study highlights miR-139-5p as an endogenous activator of ferroptotic cell death, offering a potential anti-cancer strategy.
- Overexpression of miR-139-5p inhibits glioma cell proliferation and invasion while attenuating tumor growth by inducing ferroptosis.
- HMG-CoA reductase downregulation mimics statin effects, suggesting a targeted local therapeutic approach against gliomas.
- miR-139-5p downregulation of HMG-CoA reductase disrupts supply of isoprenoids, intensifying oxidative stress and promoting ferroptosis.
- The study underscores the potential of microRNA-based therapeutics and combinational regimens for glioma treatment.
- Findings emphasize miR-139-5p's broader implications in cancer biology, highlighting targeting lipid metabolism and ferroptosis in precision oncology.
- Advanced molecular biology techniques and preclinical models validate miR-139-5p's role in glioma progression and ferroptosis induction.
- The study's insights pave the way for transformative molecular therapies targeting glioma metabolism and cell fate decisions.
Read Full Article
5 Likes
Bioengineer
13h
249
Image Credit: Bioengineer
New Research Uncovers Reasons Behind Treatment Resistance in Leukemia Patients
- New research led by the University of Colorado Cancer Center sheds light on treatment resistance in leukemia patients, particularly in combination therapy involving venetoclax and hypomethylating agents for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
- The study, published in Blood Cancer Discovery, analyzed data from 678 AML patients to uncover how genetic abnormalities and cell differentiation status impact treatment responsiveness.
- Findings revealed that responses to therapy are influenced by both mutational landscape and the maturation stage of leukemia cells at diagnosis, providing a more comprehensive risk stratification model.
- Patients with monocytic AML lacking the NPM1 mutation displayed poorer outcomes and were enriched for additional mutations like KRAS, highlighting innate resistance pathways in a subset of AML cases.
- The research highlights escape mechanisms used by leukemic cells to resist venetoclax and suggests combining mutational profiling with cell differentiation markers for personalized treatment strategies.
- Integrative analysis uncovers alternative pathways cancer cells use to evade treatment, paving the way for novel therapies targeting resistant clones and improving remission durability.
- This study shifts towards personalized medicine in AML by tailoring treatments based on individual disease biology, enhancing response rates and minimizing ineffective treatments.
- Future studies aim to validate the predictive utility of this combined model in prospective clinical trials, with the goal of guiding real-time treatment decisions for better outcomes in AML patients.
- The collaborative effort involved institutions globally, emphasizing the significance of identifying critical biological distinctions in AML populations for advancing therapeutic approaches.
- The study's insights contribute to decoding the biological variability impacting AML treatment outcomes, offering hope for more targeted interventions and potentially enduring cures for this challenging cancer.
- This research signifies a major stride in understanding the complexity of AML treatment response variability, emphasizing the need for a nuanced molecular approach to improve patient outcomes.
Read Full Article
15 Likes
Bioengineer
14h
335
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Study Reveals Pneumonia Decision Support System Narrows Mortality Gap Among Economically Disadvantaged Patients
- A study led by Intermountain Health reveals a pneumonia decision support system significantly reduces mortality rates among emergency department patients.
- This advancement is particularly beneficial for economically disadvantaged populations facing healthcare outcome disparities.
- Pneumonia is a major global health burden, causing millions of deaths annually, with significant mortality rates in the U.S.
- Various demographics, including children, elderly, and those with chronic conditions, are at higher risk of pneumonia.
- Beyond biological factors, socioeconomic determinants heavily influence pneumonia prevalence and outcomes.
- Intermountain Health's ePneumonia is an AI-powered clinical decision support tool that aids in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- The study presented at ATS 2025 International Conference focused on how ePneumonia impacts patients based on their Area Deprivation Index (ADI).
- Results showed a notable decrease in mortality among pneumonia patients with high ADI scores, narrowing the mortality gap between different socio-economic groups.
- The ePneumonia system standardizes care decisions, reducing biases and ensuring guideline-concordant care for all patients.
- While these findings are promising, further research is essential to validate the system's role in transforming pneumonia management and promoting health equity.
Read Full Article
20 Likes
Bioengineer
15h
248
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Family Stress, Cortisol, and Child BMI During COVID-19
- A study published in the International Journal of Obesity highlights the connection between family stress, cortisol levels, and childhood obesity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The research underscores the intricate biological pathways linking chronic stress to children's body mass index z-scores (BMIz) through the hormone cortisol.
- Hair cortisol concentration (HCC) was used as a marker of long-term stress exposure to investigate the impact of household stress on children's metabolic health.
- The study reveals a significant association between elevated family stress and higher BMIz in children, emphasizing the role of cortisol as a mediator in this relationship.
- Chronic activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis due to stress may lead to metabolic dysregulations and increased obesity risk in children.
- The use of hair cortisol as a biomarker helps quantify prolonged stress exposure experienced by children during the pandemic.
- The study suggests that addressing family stress is crucial in pediatric obesity prevention strategies, offering insights into the impact of stress on metabolic health.
- Measuring hair cortisol levels could aid in identifying children at risk for stress-induced weight gain and facilitate early interventions for better health outcomes.
- The findings highlight the need for tailored interventions that consider both psychological and biological determinants to address childhood obesity risk during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Overall, the research provides valuable insights into the interplay of family stress, cortisol levels, and childhood obesity, offering implications for public health interventions and personalized healthcare.
Read Full Article
14 Likes
Bioengineer
15h
303
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Mount Sinai Researchers to Unveil Breakthrough AI Models for Predicting Chronic Respiratory Failure and Detecting Airway Obstruction at ATS 2025 Conference
- Mount Sinai researchers are presenting groundbreaking studies on AI applications in respiratory medicine at the ATS 2025 Conference in San Francisco.
- Their research focuses on AI models predicting chronic respiratory failure in COPD patients using blood biomarkers and enhancing sleep apnea diagnosis through machine learning.
- AI-assisted imaging innovation includes identifying airway obstructions and analyzing adipose tissue changes in OSA patients using PET/MRI imaging.
- Genomics research uncovers links between cellular senescence genes and asthma severity, paving the way for targeted therapies.
- Mount Sinai's studies also cover rare conditions like spontaneous lung intercostal herniation and the impact of environmental factors on respiratory health.
- Their focus extends to systemic lung cancer management, with efforts to improve incidental lung nodule tracking and early cancer detection using AI.
- The integration of AI, machine learning, and computational biology drives Mount Sinai's precision respiratory medicine approach.
- Their work not only aims to enhance diagnostic accuracy but also influence clinical guidelines and global public health policies in respiratory care.
- Mount Sinai's reputation for healthcare innovation and recognition in top hospital rankings underscores its leadership in medical research and clinical excellence.
- The ATS 2025 conference serves as a platform for sharing insights that can shape future respiratory research, clinical practices, and AI applications in healthcare.
Read Full Article
18 Likes
Bioengineer
15h
135
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Mount Sinai Researchers Discover Promising Method to Modulate Brain Cell Activity for Potential Major Depressive Disorder Treatment in Adults
- Researchers at Mount Sinai discover that potassium channels in the brain play a crucial role in regulating neural activity associated with depression and anhedonia, offering a new target for treatment.
- Traditional antidepressants focusing on serotonin and norepinephrine do not work for half of major depressive disorder patients, prompting the need for novel approaches like KCNQ modulation with ezogabine.
- Ezogabine, an FDA-approved drug for seizures, has shown promise in modulating KCNQ channels to correct neuronal excitability and circuit dysfunctions in depression.
- Clinical trials reveal that ezogabine can significantly improve depressive symptoms and hedonic capacity by normalizing brain activity in key areas like the ventral tegmental area.
- Functional MRI studies demonstrate that ezogabine administration can recalibrate dysfunction in motivational circuits related to reward processing and mood regulation.
- The drug's therapeutic actions include reducing connectivity between reward regions and areas linked to negative emotional states, offering a potential pathway to interrupt maladaptive cognitive patterns in depression.
- KCNQ channel modulators like ezogabine provide a direct approach to regulating membrane potentials and neuronal firing rates in reward pathways, potentially overcoming current antidepressant limitations.
- More extensive clinical trials are needed to validate the efficacy and safety of KCNQ modulation, with considerations for dose optimization and patient populations.
- The research underscores the shift towards targeting ion channel physiology in treating depression and emphasizes the need for precision-targeted therapies in mental health care.
- Mount Sinai's interdisciplinary resources and clinical trial infrastructures enable rapid translation of discoveries like KCNQ channel modulation, promising tangible benefits for patients.
Read Full Article
8 Likes
Bioengineer
15h
139
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Epigenetic Study Reveals RABGGTB as a New Candidate Gene for Autism
- Researchers from Japan identified epigenetic alterations in the brains of individuals with autism, focusing on the dorsal raphe nuclei, critical for serotonin signaling and neuropsychiatric function.
- The study explored genome-wide DNA methylation profiles in the dorsal raphe nuclei to understand ASD pathophysiology better.
- ASD is a neurodevelopmental disorder involving social communication challenges, where environmental factors and DNA methylation play significant roles.
- The team utilized advanced technologies to identify DNA methylation anomalies related to autism, revealing hypermethylation in genes essential for neuronal function.
- Genes like OR2C3 and HTR2C showed hypermethylation in ASD brains, potentially linking to sensory processing anomalies and disrupted serotonin transmission.
- The study highlighted RABGGTB, with significant hypomethylation and increased gene expression, suggesting its association with ASD and offering new research directions.
- RABGGTB's involvement in autophagy and synaptic maintenance presents new insights for understanding the molecular basis of ASD.
- The findings suggest RABGGTB as a promising molecular target for ASD research and a potential biomarker for diagnosis, emphasizing the use of epigenomic approaches in psychiatric disorder studies.
- The study underscores the importance of integrating DNA methylation alterations and gene expression changes to unravel the complexity of neurodevelopmental disorders.
- It also highlights the impact of environmental stressors on epigenetic states, influencing serotonin signaling pathways and contributing to ASD symptoms.
- The research signifies a critical step in identifying molecular signatures related to autism, offering insights for personalized medicine and potential diagnostic tools.
Read Full Article
8 Likes
Bioengineer
17h
14
Image Credit: Bioengineer
Bioluminescent Tattoos Transform Urban Architecture
- The REMEDY project aims to integrate microbial life into building façades to revolutionize urban architecture and enhance environmental benefits.
- By applying customized microbial communities onto various building surfaces, the project seeks to turn structures into active agents in environmental remediation and urban sustainability.
- Funded by the European Innovation Council, the project emphasizes embedding microbial communities in urban landscapes under renovation to mitigate climate change and improve human health.
- Researchers at the University of Ljubljana are working on creating interkingdom microbial consortia to support buildings in urban environments.
- A key challenge lies in developing living inks capable of sustaining life for these microorganisms, a task led by Carole Planchette in collaboration with specialized manufacturers.
- The project innovates in inkjet printing technology to accommodate the unique requirements of living inks, paving the way for engineered living materials in architecture.
- Living façades could transform building exteriors into active participants in environmental health and urban experiences, redefining the relationship between the built environment and nature.
- The collaborative efforts across disciplines in the REMEDY project represent a profound shift towards sustainable living solutions that blend biology, engineering, and architecture.
- As the project advances, researchers aim to explore the stability and precision of living inks in industrial processes such as inkjet printing, potentially influencing future urban ecological designs.
- This innovative initiative not only focuses on aesthetics but also on creating resilient urban spaces that actively contribute to ecological contexts, fostering thriving ecosystems within urban environments.
Read Full Article
Like
For uninterrupted reading, download the app