Aliquots Archives
Spying on shape-shifting enzyme
Mar. 18, 2011—New molecular views of an enzyme may inform therapies for neurological, psychiatric or cardiac diseases.
Smell test tells disorders apart
Mar. 17, 2011—Patients with certain autonomic nervous system disorders have impaired odor identification, which could aid in diagnosis.
Enzyme protects against inflamed colon
Mar. 7, 2011—Increasing an enzyme required for a type of colon tissue may help dampen inflammation, a known risk factor for colon cancer.
Chasing Foxd3’s role in stem cells
Mar. 4, 2011—Researchers use genetic manipulations in mice and single-cell analyses to help explain stem cell regulation.
Worm gene function? Check the map.
Mar. 3, 2011—New gene expression atlas created for roundworms provides a basis for establishing roles for individual genes in the development of specific cell types.
A better picture of bone strength
Mar. 2, 2011—A component of some MRI scans reveals that "soft" components, like collagen and collagen-bound water, are important players in bone strength.
Protein ‘scissors’ cut path for cancer
Feb. 22, 2011—The protein matriptase "cuts" a key component of the prostate tissue barrier and may be involved in prostrate cancer progression, new research finds.
Getting left-right asymmetry right
Feb. 17, 2011—The protein Nodal has been found to hold the keys to vertebrate asymmetry.
Integrin curbs cancer’s spread
Feb. 16, 2011—Cell surface molecules called integrins have been found to play an important role when cancer metastasizes.
Fluorine aids gene silencing
Feb. 15, 2011—Modifying a form of RNAs may improve their efficacy for research and medical uses.
Seeing serotonin neurons in action
Feb. 9, 2011—Serotonin – a chemical that has roles in multiple brain functions, including mood, sleep and cognition – is manufactured by clusters of brainstem neurons gathered in the raphé nuclei. A reliable, non-invasive imaging method for assessing raphé neuron activity would be valuable for understanding serotonin signaling in depression and related conditions. Using functional magnetic resonance...
Aliquots – VUMC research highlights
Jan. 6, 2011—RSV prefers stressed cells “Stress granules” – globs of proteins and RNAs – form inside cells in response to environmental stressors and are thought to regulate protein production. Several viruses induce stress granule formation, but the function of these structures during virus replication is not well understood. James Crowe Jr., M.D., and colleagues report that...
