A new model of aging takes into account not only genetics and environmental exposures but also the tiny changes that randomly arise at the cellular level. University Professor Caleb Finch introduced the "Tripartite Phenotype of Aging" as a new conceptual model that addresses why lifespan varies so much, even among human identical twins who share […]
Apoptosis is an important mediator of pathogenesis in animal coronavirus infection
Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death, which occurs in cells that are irreparably damaged or in cells infected by some viruses. This mechanism is extremely important in limiting a virus’s replication and its spread to other neighboring cells. A new paper in the journal Life presents an early review of the viral factors […]
New evidence supports the use of antisense oligonucleotides as feasible therapeutic strategy for MDS
Many cognitive neurodevelopmental disorders are a result of too many or too few copies of certain genes or chromosomes. To date, no treatment options exist for this class of disorders. MECP2 duplication syndrome (MDS) is one such disorder that primarily affects boys and results from a duplication spanning the methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MECP2) locus […]
Yale researchers identify multiple genes involved in suppression of axon regeneration
When central nervous system cells in the brain and spine are damaged by disease or injury, they fail to regenerate, limiting the body's ability to recover. In contrast, peripheral nerve cells that serve most other areas of the body are more able to regenerate. Scientists for decades have searched for molecular clues as to why […]
Plant breeding can help increase crop productivity, reduce human malnutrition
Your morning cereal or oatmeal. The bread on your sandwich. The corn chips for your snack, and the cookies for dessert. Not one would be possible with the humblest of ingredients: the seed. Seeds such as wheat, rice, and corn directly provide about 70% of the calories eaten by people every day. And they ultimately […]
What is Common Variable Immune Deficiency (CVID)?
Skip to: What is CVID? What is the prevalence of CVID? What are the causative factors? How CVID is inherited? What are the common symptoms? How is CVID diagnosed? How is CVID treated? Common variable immune deficiency (CVID) is a genetic disorder characterized by a weakened immune system. Patients with CVID frequently suffer from infections. […]
Alstrom Syndrome Research
Alstrom syndrome has been the focus of attention, among other ciliopathies, in research on the biological functions of cilia as well as the best mode of treatment of these disorders. The ALMS1 gene has been associated with this condition. Physiological Roles of ALMS1 Protein The ALMS1 gene has been the locus of research because of […]
MALDI Mass Spectrometry in Biomedicine
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry enables rapid profiling of various biomolecules from both tissues and biofluids. Rost9 | Shutterstock Although MALDI was originally used for the analysis of peptides and proteins, it now plays an important role in biomarker discovery, genotyping, identification of microorganisms, lipidomic analysis, and metabolomics. Improvements in the selection of […]
MALDI Mass Spectrometry in Biomedicine
Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry enables rapid profiling of various biomolecules from both tissues and biofluids. Rost9 | Shutterstock Although MALDI was originally used for the analysis of peptides and proteins, it now plays an important role in biomarker discovery, genotyping, identification of microorganisms, lipidomic analysis, and metabolomics. Improvements in the selection of […]
How much do our genes restrict free will?
Many of us believe we are masters of own destiny, but new research is revealing the extent to which our behavior is influenced by our genes. It’s now possible to decipher our individual genetic code, the sequence of 3.2 billion DNA “letters” unique to each of us, that forms a blueprint for our brains and […]