Diabetes

Study links PI5P4K activity to hippo pathway regulation in cancer

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Within the intricate landscape of cell membrane lipids and the kinase enzymes that regulate them, phosphoinositide 3-kinases (PI3Ks) have long dominated scientific research, particularly due to their roles in cancer, diabetes, and various cellular functions. However, the spotlight on PI3Ks has often overshadowed other crucial members of this lipid enzyme family, including phosphatidylinositol-5-phosphate 4-kinases (PI5P4Ks). … Read more

The Role of Sweet Taste Receptors in Metabolic Regulation

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The Monell Chemical Senses Center has long been at the forefront of research into sweet taste, tracing back to 2001 when Monell scientists were among the first to identify and describe the mammalian sweet taste receptor, TAS1R2-TAS1R3. Over the past two decades, Monell researchers have significantly advanced our understanding of the genetics and functionality of … Read more

Systems Biology: Integrating Biological Processes into Complex Systems

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Systems biology is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to understand biological systems as integrated networks of components, processes, and interactions, rather than isolated parts. It combines principles from biology, mathematics, computer science, engineering, and other disciplines to analyze complex biological phenomena at multiple scales, from molecular and cellular levels to tissues, organs, organisms, populations, and … Read more

FAK inhibitor shows promise in converting acinar cells to insulin-producing cells in diabetic mice and primate

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In 2016, University of Pittsburgh researchers Dr. Farzad Esni, Ph.D., and Jing Hu, Ph.D., did an experiment in mice where they deleted one of two copies of the gene encoding an enzyme called focal adhesion kinase (FAK). They were interested in the role of FAK in pancreatic cancer, but a surprise finding took the research … Read more

Epidemiology: Study of Disease Patterns and Spread

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Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. It is a cornerstone of public health, providing insights into the patterns, causes, and impacts of diseases within populations. Epidemiologists investigate the occurrence of diseases, injuries, disabilities, and deaths, … Read more

Endocrinology: Study of Hormones and Endocrine System

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Endocrinology is the branch of biology and medicine that deals with the study of hormones and the endocrine system. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system, which regulate various physiological processes and maintain homeostasis in the body. The endocrine system consists of glands and organs that secrete hormones directly into the … Read more

Human Genetics: Inherited Traits and Genetic Disorders

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Human genetics is the branch of biology that focuses on the study of inherited traits, genetic variation, and genetic disorders in humans. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the basics of inheritance and genetic inheritance patterns to the molecular mechanisms underlying genetic diseases. Human genetics plays a crucial role in understanding the genetic … Read more

Immunology: The Body’s Defense Mechanisms

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Immunology is the branch of biomedical science that focuses on the study of the immune system, which is the body’s intricate network of organs, tissues, cells, and molecules that work together to defend against pathogens, foreign substances, and abnormal cells. The immune system plays a vital role in maintaining health and protecting the body from … Read more

Biotechnology: Applications in Medicine and Industry

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Biotechnology is a rapidly evolving field that harnesses biological processes and systems to develop innovative solutions for various applications in medicine and industry. It encompasses a diverse range of techniques, including genetic engineering, fermentation, and cell culture, to manipulate biological systems for practical purposes. Biotechnology has revolutionized healthcare, agriculture, environmental science, and industrial manufacturing, offering … Read more

Genetics: Inheritance and Molecular Basis of Life

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Genetics, the study of heredity and the molecular basis of life, represents a cornerstone of modern biology with profound implications for understanding biological diversity, human health, evolution, and biotechnological applications. At the core of genetics lies the exploration of genetic inheritance, the transmission of traits from parents to offspring, and the molecular mechanisms governing genetic … Read more

Monoclonal antibody mAb43 appears to prevent and reverse type 1 diabetes in mice

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Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say that an experimental monoclonal antibody drug called mAb43 appears to prevent and reverse the onset of clinical type 1 diabetes in mice, and in some cases, to lengthen the animals’ lifespan. The drug is unique, according to the researchers, because it targets insulin-making beta cells in the pancreas directly … Read more

Modern buildings may harm our microbiome, study suggests

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Over the last 20 years, the life sciences have come to realize that all living beings—from the simplest animal and plant organisms to humans—live in close association with a multitude of microorganisms. Together with the multicellular host organism, these symbiotic bacteria, viruses and fungi, which colonize on and in their tissues and form the so-called … Read more

Study identifies crucial molecule for healthy kidney development in babies

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Some infants are born with too few nephrons, the filtering units in kidneys that help the body remove waste and excess fluid. Whether due to low birth weight, maternal diabetes, inadequate nutrition or genetic mutations, babies born with improper kidney development are more likely to face a lifetime of challenges such as high blood pressure … Read more

Study links placental oxygenation to cortical growth and potential childhood cognitive outcomes

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A new study shows oxygenation levels in the placenta, formed during the last three months of fetal development, are an important predictor of cortical growth (development of the outermost layer of the brain or cerebral cortex) and is likely a predictor of childhood cognition and behaviour. “Many factors can disrupt healthy brain development in utero, … Read more

Gut bacteria key to weight loss from resistant starch diet, study finds

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A diet based on resistant starch promotes a favorable composition of the gut microbiome in obese people. This leads to weight reduction and measurable positive health outcomes such as improved insulin sensitivity. These are the findings of an international research team led by Professor Weiping Jia from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Professor Aimin Xu from … Read more

New mini heart models offer promise for revolutionizing heart disease treatment and prevention

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Thanks to advancements in the development of patented synthetic human-like hearts first created at Michigan State, researchers can study human heart development and congenital heart disease on highly accurate models. This is facilitating the development of new therapies and pharmaceutical drugs to treat a variety of heart-related diseases just in time for the observance of … Read more

Deletion of kidney glucagon receptors induces chronic kidney disease-like symptoms in mice

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Glucagon, recognized primarily for its role in stimulating blood sugar production in the liver, has emerged as a pivotal player in maintaining kidney health, according to recent research from UT Southwestern Medical Center. The study, published in Cell Metabolism, illuminates glucagon’s broader physiological functions and unveils its significance in combating chronic kidney disease (CKD), a … Read more