Aliquots - Research Briefs

July 31, 2014

New target for breast cancer therapy

The protein MTBP is overexpressed in an aggressive type of breast cancer, and it regulates another protein implicated in many cancer types, suggesting that it may be a good target for new therapeutics.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 25, 2014

Treatments for frog fungus

The fungicide amphotericin B may be a useful treatment for a frog fungus that is killing amphibians worldwide.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 23, 2014

Natural killer cells don’t clear HMPV

Understanding how the immune system responds to the respiratory virus HMPV is crucial for developing vaccines and anti-viral treatments.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 21, 2014

Reversing stress-induced anxiety

Augmenting the signals of natural “endocannabinoids” in the brain may be a promising approach for treating mood and anxiety disorders.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 18, 2014

Neural receptor for reovirus

A newly identified receptor allows mammalian reovirus to infect neurons, shedding light on factors important for viral encephalitis.

By Leigh MacMillan
July 17, 2014

Regulating immune regulators

Understanding how to control the generation of regulatory T cells could have important implications for treating autoimmunity and cancer.

By Leigh MacMillan
June 16, 2014

Factor impacts bone toughness

The factor ATF4 has a role in the toughness of bone and its resistance to fracture, suggesting new therapeutic targets.
By Leigh MacMillan
June 13, 2014

How ABC transporters move molecules

New views of how transporters move molecules across cell membranes are key to understanding how these proteins impact tumor cell drug resistance and inherited diseases such as cystic fibrosis.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 27, 2014

Respiratory virus vaccine candidate

Virus-like particles containing a protein from human metapneumovirus are a promising vaccine candidate for this respiratory virus.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 23, 2014

Repair protein’s DNA recognition motif

Insights into the workings of DNA damage response proteins such as SMARCAL1 could suggest new ways to improve genome integrity and prevent cancer.
By Leigh MacMillan
May 22, 2014

Cellular forces aid tumor invasion

The contractile machinery inside tumor cells increases invasive properties, suggesting it might be a good target to inhibit cancer cell spread.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 14, 2014

CaMKII enhances insulin secretion

The protein CaMKII acts as a calcium sensor in a positive feedback pathway that enhances glucose-stimulated insulin secretion.
By VUMC News and Communications
May 12, 2014

Normalizing calcium flux to treat atrial fibrillation

A particular anti-arrhythmia drug provides a targeted treatment for certain forms of atrial fibrillation.
By Leigh MacMillan