NETs-Th17 interaction offers new therapeutic target
Histones, a protein component of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), can directly stimulate T cells, specifically T helper 17 (Th17) cell differentiation, according to a recent Nature Communications research article. The stimulation of a specific adaptive immune cell subset imparts a noteworthy mechanism -- indicating a direct association between neutrophils, NETs, and T-cell autoimmunity -- and could be a new therapeutic target to treat autoimmune conditions. Read More
Creating an opening for treatments into the brains of mice
The cellular barrier that protects the brain also has the unfortunate effect of preventing medical treatments from reaching areas of the brain where they are needed. This presents a major obstacle in developing new drugs to treat brain diseases. Now, in a study published in Nature Protocols, researchers describe an approach in mice to precisely open a gate in the barrier and deliver therapeutic agents. Read More
Top PE investments in biotools in 2021
2021 was an especially active year for private equity (PE) firms. According to PitchBook, the number of deals surged over 51% last year to top 8,600. Among the beneficiaries of the 29% increase in deals were biotool firms, which supply laboratory instrumentation and aftermarket supplies for the analysis of genes, cells, and proteins (excluding in vitro diagnostics tools). Read More
'Safe harbors' found for additions to human genome
A new way to find suitable places to make additions to the genome could give a boost to gene therapies. In a paper published January 24 in Cell Reports Methods, scientists describe an approach to find "safe harbors" in the genome that can receive new genes without causing unintended changes, such as promoting cancer. Read More
Investors double down on AI drug development
Funding for artificial intelligence (AI) in drug development hit $4.1 billion in 2021, a 36% increase from the year before, according to Emersion Insights. The AI drug development industry has gained a lot of attention from investors, venture capital firms, and corporate investment funds in recent years. Read More
BD innovation highlights new flow cytometry tech
A new study conducted by Becton Dickinson (BD) in collaboration with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, which was published as the cover story of Science on January 20, profiles a BD innovation in flow cytometry that adds fluorescence imaging and image-based decisioning to sort individual cells at an exceptionally high speed. Read More
Targeted nanoparticle delivery provides boost for diabetes transplant
Delivering immunosuppressant treatment via targeted nanoparticles could open the door to a long-lasting cure for type 1 diabetes. Transplanting insulin-producing cells is a promising approach to treat the disease; however, it is plagued by issues of immune rejection. In a new study, published January 17 in Nature Nanotechnology, mice treated with a reengineered therapy could tolerate a transplant for much longer with fewer side effects. Read More
CAR T cells produced in vivo may treat cardiac injury
New evidence suggests that immunotherapy could have the potential to temporarily reprogram patients' immune cells to attack a specific target via a single injection of mRNA. The study, published in Science, could lead to a new treatment for heart failure. Read More
Critical step identified in immune system response could lead to new treatments
New research has identified a crucial protein that controls the immune system's release of a key factor in fighting infections. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications on January 10, found that the MNDA protein is necessary for white blood cells to produce a type of interferon. This discovery could lead to new drugs to help fight infections or treat autoimmune conditions. Read More
Scientists develop novel tools to visualize DNA repair
Researchers can now visualize DNA repair in unprecedented detail using a new high-throughput microscopy technique in combination with machine learning. The methodology, published in Cell Reports on December 28, has led to the identification of new proteins involved in DNA repair. Read More
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