News

Researchers have shown that the enzyme EXD2 is critically involved in maintaining efficient protein production in mitochondria - the compartment responsible for making the energy required for cells to survive and replicate.


It is hoped the discovery could be used to target tumours in cancer patients in a new way while also significantly adding to the understanding of the vital role mitochondria plays in the functioning of a healthy cell.

It is well known that healthy eating increases our general sense of wellbeing. Researchers have now discovered that a fibre-rich diet can have a positive influence on chronic inflammatory joint diseases, leading to stronger bones.

The National Toxicology Program (NTP) has named Brian Berridge, D.V.M., Ph.D., as its new Associate Director. Berridge, formerly of GlaxoSmithKline, will oversee day-to-day operations as NTP coordinates toxicology research and testing across nine different federal agencies.

TUAT researchers have achieved the new synthetic route of conjugated tetraenes from inexpensive and easily available 1,3-butadiene and substituted acetylenes by a one-pot approach under mild conditions. Conjugated tetraenes are important key substructures in biologically active natural products such as vitamins, and anti-mycotic drugs.

Researchers have demonstrated the potential of a new class of drugs for the treatment of refractory chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, i.e. COPD.

The field of immunotherapy is revolutionizing cancer treatment today. However, clinical trials often show marked improvements in only small subsets of patients, suggesting that as-yet unidentified variations among tumors result in distinct paths of disease progression and response to therapy.

An enzyme previously identified as playing a role in peripheral neuropathy induced by cancer chemotherapy also plays a role in peripheral neuropathy caused by diabetes. The significance of the identification of a common molecular mechanism is that many more patients could potentially benefit from drugs that target this mechanism.

The first three-dimensional structure of DHHC proteins — enzymes involved in many cellular processes, including cancer — explains how they function and may offer a blueprint for designing therapeutic drugs.

In urban streams, persistent pharmaceutical pollution can cause aquatic microbial communities to become resistant to drugs.

A new study reports that chronic exposure to arsenic interferes with insulin secretion in the pancreas, which may increase the risk of diabetes.