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The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) annual meeting kicked off (virtually) this past weekend. On the first morning of the meeting, the synthetic biology company Synlogic presented data from the clinical trial testing their immunotherapy drug SYNB1891. The drug, a living biotherapeutic consisting of engineered bacteria that are injected intratumorally, is being developed for

Neurons run on calcium, which plays a dual role as a charge carrier and an intracellular messenger. Calcium signals regulate various developmental processes and have a key role in apoptosis, neurotransmitter release, and membrane excitability; calcium is also involved in memory formation, metabolism, and cell growth—making it quite the multitasker. Now using animal models, researchers

Scientists led by a team at the Whitehead Institute have developed a new gene editing technology, called CRISPRoff, which can be used to control gene expression with high specificity, while leaving the sequence of the DNA unchanged. Utilizing a programmable, epigenetic memory writer protein to silence gene expression, CRISPRoff is a highly specific method that

A study of the human antibody response to the tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus reveals that it is dominated by ineffective antibodies. Occasionally, however, a few antibodies appear that are extremely potent. Now that potent antibodies have been discovered, and their structures determined, the prospects for targeting the TBE virus suddenly look much better. TBE, which

Zebrafish can heal their damaged hearts. Humans hearts retain scars of earlier injuries. In a new article published in the journal Science, titled “Krüppel-like factor 1 is a core cardiomyogenic trigger in zebrafish,” scientists from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute in Sydney report finding a new genetic switch that could help damaged human heart

Before drugs can go into clinical trials to establish their efficacy, they must go through rigorous testing to demonstrate that they do no harm. A new study reports a way to make cell cultures respond more like normal cells. Culturing cells in this new method that uses a modified serum, will allow drugs to be

The first, complete, telomere-to-telomere sequence of a human autosome has been completed. The sequence of chromosome 8 not only fills in the gap of more than three million bases missing from the current reference genome, but its DNA content and arrangement are of interest in an evolutionary context, in several immune and developmental disorders, and

Current approaches to diagnosing and treating depressive disorders are based largely on trial and error, but a newly reported study by a team at Indiana University School of Medicine has shed new light on the biological basis of mood disorders. Through their research, reported in Molecular Psychiatry, the team has developed a blood test for

Apply the following to make your franchise organization thrive. April 9, 2021 4 min read Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. The following is an excerpt from Franchise Bible: How to Buy a Franchise or Franchise Your Own Business, Ninth Edition, which will be released April 20 through Entrepreneur Press. Pre-order now via Amazon | Barnes

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a genetic disorder characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness due to the alterations of a protein called dystrophin that helps keep muscle cells intact. Until recently, boys with DMD usually did not survive much beyond their teen years. Advances in cardiac and respiratory care have increased life expectancy and

The development of the brain during embryonic growth has garnered much attention from the neuroscience research community. However, the events that occur in the maturing brain after birth are less well understood. Now, a team has identified the microRNA-29 family to be “strikingly induced” during the late stages of brain maturation. In addition, they found

Established in 1982, Great Clips started franchising in 1983 and now has more than 4,000 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Usually located in strip malls, Great Clips hair salons are open evenings and weekends and do not require appointments. No hair-care experience is required for franchisees, who operate 5 to 6 units after

Scientists at University College London (UCL) have used artificial intelligence (AI) to identify three new multiple sclerosis (MS) subtypes from brain MRI scans. The researchers say the findings will help to identify those individuals with MS who are more likely to have disease progression, and could aid in more effective treatment targeting. Arman Eshaghi, MD,

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation of the digestive tract. Anti-inflammatory medications can greatly reduce its signs and symptoms and even bring about long-term remission and healing of inflammation. However, medications do not just target the digestive tract; they can affect the entire body creating the potential for

Cells from individuals with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) were found to have higher than expected rates of methylation at specific sites on their DNA, when compared to cells from healthy individuals without MDD, according to a multidisciplinary team of University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) scientists, in collaboration with others. Methylation of particular sets of genes

Angioplasty, a surgical procedure that opens blocked arteries, often involves placing a metal tube to hold arterial walls open and prevent them from collapsing once the arterial block is surgically removed. However, a bare metal stent (BMS) causes some injury to the walls of the blood vessel walls, which triggers smooth muscle cells to multiply

Artios Pharma CEO Niall Martin, PhD Novartis has agreed to identify and validate next-generation DNA Damage Response (DDR) targets for precision cancer treatments using Artios Pharma’s discovery platform, through a collaboration that could generate more than $1.3 billion for Artios. The companies plan to discover and validate targets that enhance Novartis’ Radioligand Therapies (RLTs) through

Oxidative stress is caused by an imbalance between production and accumulation of oxygen reactive species (ROS) in cells and tissues. Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is an antioxidant enzyme that protects the mitochondria from oxidative damage by using a mechanism involving electron and proton transfers to lower ROS levels in mitochondria. More than a quarter of

Although brain imaging is performed on head-fixed mice, recording neural activity in freely behaving mice has remained a challenge. To address this, researchers report the development of a unique head-mounted mini-microscope device that allows them to image complex brain functions of freely moving mice in real time over a period of more than 300 days.

Scientists from the University of California-Riverside say they have found a way to better detect and capture DNA from fluid samples such as blood using a tiny glass tube and electric current. The technique (“Measuring trapped DNA at the liquid-air interface for enhanced single molecule sensing”), described in Nanoscale, can also improve cancer diagnosis in the

“We know there are developmental roots to major psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder—and that these roots begin in fetal development. We also know these disorders are associated with abnormalities in brain circuitry that regulates stress—circuitry that is intimately tied to regulating our immune system,” says Jill M. Goldstein, PhD, founder and

Researchers led by a team at NYU Grossman School of Medicine have applied Botox to individual neurons, to help demonstrate how neurons control their own release of dopamine (DA), a chemical messenger involved in motivation, memory, and movement. Through their studies, the team showed that feedback from individual nerve cells controls the release of dopamine.

Uptown Cheapskate is a resale store for young adults that buys and sells name-brand apparel, shoes and accessories. The company, based in Salt Lake City, Utah, started in 2008 and began franchising the same year. [embedded content] Fast-growing resale clothing franchise is looking for hungry entrepreneurs Take the thrift store experience where it’s never been

Panoramic RNA Display by Overcoming RNA Modification Aborted Sequencing (PANDORA) is a new RNA sequencing method developed by scientists from the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Unlike Pandora’s box which refers to a source of endless complications or trouble arising from a single, simple miscalculation—this Pandora, may be a source of opportunity as it can