Darwin famously thought of evolution as a force for creation and improvement. Evolution, in his eyes, was synonymous with natural selection and survival of the fittest – a process that optimizes life to thrive in its environment and produce greater numbers of offspring. A century later, however, the great population geneticist Motoo Kimura challenged this…
Category: Biology
New Immune Response Pathway Uses Gasdermin D
A new line of defence deployed by the immune system against bacteria has been identified in a University of Queensland study. The new understanding of one of the body’s immune defence mechanisms could lead to the development of novel therapeutic targets for conditions such as cancer and autoimmune diseases. “Bacteria are often quickly killed by…
The Body’s Own Immune System Destroys Retinal Cells
Glaucoma, a disease that afflicts nearly 70 million people worldwide, is something of a mystery despite its prevalence. Little is known about the origins of the disease, which damages the retina and optic nerve and can lead to blindness. A new study from MIT and Massachusetts Eye and Ear has found that glaucoma may in…
Methylation Of mRNA Plays Key Role In Synaptic Function
At the connections between brain cells — which often are located far from the central control centers of the cells — methyl groups dot chains of RNA, UCLA scientists have shown in new research. Methyl chemical groups are known to dot lengths of DNA, helping to control when certain genes are accessible by a cell.…
Endothelial Cell Aging Reduced By New Compounds
Aspects of the aging of human cells can be reversed by new compounds developed at the University of Exeter, research shows. The findings raise the possibility of future treatments not only for blood vessels — which become stiffer as they age, raising the risk of problems including heart attacks and strokes — but also for…
Ion Channels: Exploiting Natural Regulation
From the brain to the heart to the bladder, electrical potentials across cell membranes ensure that nerves and muscles work properly. These potentials emerge as ions go into and out of cells, crossing the membrane through proteins known as ion channels. The structures open and close their ion-conducting pores in response to voltage changes, the…
Epigenetic Regulator Protects Ribosome Genes To Slow Aging
A protein that guards cells against aging-related problems by protecting a particularly vulnerable set of genes has been identified by researchers from Stanford University and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (VAPAHCS). The genes that encode components of the ribosome — the protein-making machine of the cell — are abundant and constantly in use.…
Thermal Proteome Profiling Adapted to Bacterial Research
An existing technique has been adapted to study the melting behaviour of proteins so that it can be used for the study of bacteria. Thermal proteome profiling (TPP) was developed in 2014 (Savitski et al., Science 2014) and enables scientists to compare the melting behavior of all proteins in a cell or organism before and…
Binge Drinking Reduces Sleep Regulation Gene Expression
A single episode of binge drinking can affect the gene that regulates sleep, leading to sleep disruption, a new study with mice shows. The findings may shed light on how sleep problems can contribute to alcoholism in humans. One in six adults in the United States binge drinks at least four times a month, according…