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SUMOylation is a biochemical process that peppers proteins with small ubiquitin-like modifiers (SUMOs). Earlier studies have shown SUMOylation suppresses type I interferon (IFN1) signaling that helps mobilize innate and acquired immune response against cancer. A new preclinical study led by scientists at Takeda and Jounce Therapeutics shows TAK-981, a potent and selective small-molecule inhibitor of

Allarity Therapeutics and Lonza, a CDMO, agreed to develop and manufacture dovitinib, Allarity’s renal cell carcinoma candidate therapy. The agreement aims to begin manufacturing of dovitinib in 2022 to meet Allarity’s projected needs for bringing dovitinib to market following anticipated regulatory approvals. Dovitinib represents Allarity’s most advanced clinical asset, with possible use in other indications,

Stanford Medicine scientists have linked insulin resistance to an increased risk of developing major depressive disorder (MDD). The researchers’ analysis of data from more than 600 participants in a major longitudinal study in the Netherlands demonstrated that three surrogate measures of insulin resistance positively predicted major depressive disorder developing over a nine-year period among adults

The immune cells of the central nervous system, known as microglia, recognize misfolded proteins in the brain. Now, scientists have uncovered how microglia deal with the presence of α-synuclein (α-syn) fibrils. They found that microglia exposed to α-syn establish a network of intercellular connections which transfer α-syn from overloaded microglia to neighboring naive microglia. In

There have been many studies that have demonstrated how the circadian clock controls various aspects of homeostasis, and how organs coordinate their function. In the liver, the circadian clock regulates the metabolism of drugs and energy sources, including glucose, lipids, and proteins. A new study led by researchers at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine

Finishing Your Quilt on a Home Sewing Machine with Amy Ellis is the 6-lesson online workshop that offers an abundance of information and knowledge that the home sewist can use to finish quilts! You will learn about Amy’s favorite tools for quilting, and all her tips and tricks for success in your quilting projects. Straight-line

Researchers led by scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine reports the discovery of a mechanism by which transcription factor KLF4 can help to organize chromatin, thus influencing gene expression. The study (“Liquid condensation of reprogramming factor KLF4 with DNA provides a mechanism for chromatin organization”), published in Nature Communications, shows that the binding of

Pfizer and BioNTech have received FDA Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for a third booster dose for their COVID-19 vaccine that is broader than recommended last week by an advisory panel to the agency. The EUA, granted late Wednesday, allows booster doses in adults ages 65 and older, as recommended unanimously by the FDA’s Vaccines and

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered how a set of proteins work in tandem to build the vascular supply lines that deliver oxygen and nutrients to tumors, enabling them to survive and grow. The studies, in human cancer cells and mouse models, showed that the protein pair, peptidylarginine deiminase 4 (PADI4) and hypoxia-inducible factor

Metastatic breast cancer (also called stage IV) is breast cancer that has spread to another part of the body, most commonly the liver, brain, bones, or lungs. There are many treatment options that are available for metastatic breast cancer including surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and now there may be a new treatment that will offer

A large collaborative team led by scientists at Hiroshima University, Japan, has conducted systematic molecular profiling of pediatric liver cancer based on data collected from 154 hepatoblastomas and nine hepatocellular carcinomas. Markers discovered by this study will help to understand and treat the considerable variation in prognoses of pediatric liver cancers. Hepatoblastoma is the most

A significant milestone in the COVID-19 pandemic was crossed this week. The number of deaths in the United States due to COVID-19—more than 675,000—has surpassed the number of deaths that occurred during the 1918 flu pandemic. In addition, there are still roughly 150,000 new cases every day. Eighteen months into the pandemic, the need for

After episode 59—Anything Sews! Tracy, Lori, and Ginger got a ton of feedback on Tracy’s PSA about being kind. So, after the hosts check in and catch up, they read letters from listeners. The letters are funny, inspiring, uplifting, and poignant. Stay tuned!  SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts | Megalink | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | Spotify Subscribe to the Quilt & Tell Podcast. Not

Radiation therapy, when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors, can be a promising treatment for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Why the two together have had success is not well understood. Now, a team from Weill Cornell Medicine has identified a specific dose of radiation therapy that had success when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Not

Researchers led by University of Texas UT Southwestern dermatologists report that a common inflammatory skin condition may stem from poorly regulated sex hormones. The study (“Interleukins 4 and 13 drive lipid abnormalities in skin cells through regulation of sex steroid hormone synthesis,”) published this week in PNAS, could offer an unexpected new target to fight

PharmaCyte Biotech, which specializes in cell-based treatments for cancer and diabetes has announced that its clinical trial product, CypCaps™, remains stable and active after 18 months when stored at -80C. The next timepoint milestone for the product comes at 24 months. CypCaps are genetically engineered human cells, specifically engineered to treat unresectable pancreatic cancer, and

In a previous article I noted that digitization is critical for many cell and gene therapy firms, but few have fully embraced the approach. That was the view of Ori Biotech chief data officer Kevin Gordon. Other experts agree with Gordon, especially regarding the need for a flexible, digital manufacturing infrastructure, a must for advanced

Avant and A*STAR’s Bioprocessing Technology Institute (BTI) agreed to collaborate to jointly advance the scaleup of Avant’s proprietary process to enable cost-effective, food-grade production of cultivated fish in Singapore and beyond. The parties will establish a Joint Research Laboratory for Cultivated Fish Bioprocessing in Biopolis, Singapore, where both parties will jointly develop and optimize solutions

A research group has developed a thin-film sensor and electronics package to measure real-time culture conditions inside a single-use bioreactor. The sensors, which use soft materials, flexible mechanics, and wireless electronics, are designed to measure pH, dissolved oxygen, glucose, and temperature in real time. “Existing bioreactors have sensors for pH, oxygen, and so on, but

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive form of cancer and chances of survival are poor. Molecular triggers that result in PDAC remain unclear. To better understand these molecular triggers of oncogenesis in the context of PDAC, a large international collaborative team led by scientists from Washington University, St. Louis, Baylor College of Medicine,

Sue King is a prolific artist with a deep passion for nature’s beauty and conservation of our natural resources. She loves being outdoors and credits her experiences in nature for her creative productivity and inspiration. We are pleased to feature Sue and her artwork in the Fall issue of Quilting Arts Magazine. First is an

Physical activity may paradoxically hasten the build-up of calcium deposits in the coronary arteries, the amount of which—measured as the coronary artery calcium (CAC) score—is traditionally used to assess future cardiovascular disease risk, according to the results of a newly published analysis of study data by scientists at the University School of Medicine, Seoul. However,

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one of the world’s most serious public health challenges. Despite advances in our scientific understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment, there are many who still do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure. A new mouse study by researchers

When I started quilting, hand quilting was the norm. I loved the rhythmic task of quilting the layers together. I found it relaxing. Fast-forward twenty years, arthritis has taken away most of the pleasure from hand quilting, but I appreciate those who love the portability and enjoyment of slow-sewing a project. In this issue, we