The epithelial cells that line the intestines build a specialized cell surface — the “brush border” — that processes and absorbs nutrients, and defends against pathogens.
Novel DNA repair mechanism preserves genome integrity: The new mechanism, which is initiated by a protein called HMCES, was reported in the journal Cell.
Danny Winder, PhD, and colleagues reported in The Journal of Neurosciencethat acute restraint stress in mice activates CRF neurons in the BNST, supporting a role for these neurons in stress-related behaviors.
The kidney has a remarkable capacity to repair itself following acute injury, but maladaptive repair can lead to fibrosis (scarring) and chronic kidney disease.
Cellular signaling pathways involved in everything from the proliferation of fatty tissue to the death of neurons in the brain are tightly regulated by “cascades” of sequentially activated enzymes, MAP kinases.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors — cancer therapies that remove the “brakes” on the adaptive anti-tumor immune response — have had remarkable success in melanoma and lung cancer.
Single-cell RNA sequencing is a powerful tool for studying cellular diversity, for example in cancer where varied tumor cell types determine diagnosis, prognosis and response to therapy.
Four Vanderbilt University researchers are among 200 recipients of this year’s Young Investigator Grants awarded by the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation to support “innovative ideas for groundbreaking neurobiological research.”
