GoKawiil
Tech News
Scientists reported discovering a protein that contributes to cellular ageing without triggering the inflammatory response typically associated with senescent cells. The finding separates the ageing-driving function of the protein from the inflammation usually seen in aged tissue, according to the research.
Researchers knocked out genes involved in mitochondrial protein import—including Agk, Timm10b, Timm17b, and Timm50—in mouse melanoma cell lines and implanted the altered tumors into mice. Tumors lacking these import components grew more slowly in immune-competent mice than in immune-deficient nude mice, and depleting CD8+ T-cells restored tumor growth in mice with Timm50-deficient tumors. RNA sequencing further showed gene expression changes consistent with altered immune signaling in these tumors.
Researchers studying rice and the stink bug Nezara viridula found that insect saliva deposited during feeding contains a small signalling molecule, 2′,3′-cNMP, produced by salivary effector proteins. They identified a plant RNA-binding protein, NVR1, that senses this molecule and used CRISPR knockouts and overexpression lines in rice and Nicotiana benthamiana, alongside related GRP7/GRP8 genes, to probe how plants detect insect attack at the molecular level.
Geneticist Henne Holstege began a 2013 project studying people who remain resistant to dementia despite age or genetic risk factors, after years of failed funding attempts. Researchers have since identified several rare gene variants, including some affecting the ApoE protein, that appear to protect the brain against the toxic proteins linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have created a novel adhesive material based on structural mechanisms found in the cholera bacterium, according to a report highlighted by Nature. The glue reportedly exhibits unusual properties not seen in conventional adhesives, drawn from biological processes the bacterium uses.
Researchers led by chemist Gregory Holland at San Diego State University used atomic-level imaging to show how the liquid protein mixture in spider silk glands, known as silk dope, reorganizes into semiliquid droplets called condensates before hardening into solid silk fiber. The work details the molecular steps spiders use to convert a soup of proteins, water and salt into a fiber tougher than Kevlar and stronger than steel.
A new study presents a pharmacological inhibitor targeting METTL1, an enzyme that modifies RNA, and reports that blocking its activity suppresses growth in both solid tumour and blood cancer models. The paper also describes the biochemical methods used, including expression and purification of the full-length METTL1–WDR4 protein complex, to support structural and functional characterization of the drug target.
Researchers used genetically modified mouse models, including Atp8a1, AP-3-deficient mocha, and Vamp7 knockout mice, to study how neurons regulate synaptic signaling. The work examined how a SNARE protein is delivered to the presynaptic membrane through exocytosis, revealing a mechanism by which neurons maintain stable communication at synapses.
A multi-institution research collaboration in China has built a system that generates functional proteins directly from natural-language prompts describing the desired function, rather than requiring detailed structural constraints like amino acid positions. Separately, Hugging Face announced it is hosting a similar tool for designing DNA sequences from text prompts. The protein tool's success rate is limited, producing many non-functional designs alongside working ones.
A Cell publication details results from HuidaGene's first-in-human trial of a CRISPR base-editing gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, confirming that one boy died after receiving a high dose. The study found the treatment edited some target genes in the four participants but produced only limited therapeutic effect, while the boy who died suffered a severe immune reaction beginning with abdominal pain and fever within 24 hours of dosing.
A commentary in Nature argues that current clinical tools—such as white blood cell counts or C-reactive protein tests—only offer a fragmented view of immune function, failing to capture whether a person's immune system is resilient or declining. The authors say advances in immunology, molecular profiling, imaging and AI could enable development of a comprehensive 'immunome' measurement to assess immune health more completely.
Liz Lane, a food-industry operations veteran who previously worked at Huel and Magic Spoon, launched her plant-based peanut butter protein powder brand Scoops in Target stores in May. The brand generated $25,000 in sales its first month and grew to $400,000 in sales last month, according to Lane.