Category Biology/Biotechnology

Researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in Melbourne, Australia, have shown they can stop leukemia in its tracks by targeting a protein that puts the handbrake on cancer cell growth. The researchers discovered that targeting a protein called Hhex could cure acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in preclinical disease models, and could be a key target for new therapies for human leukemia. Credit: Walter and Eliza Hall Institute

Melbourne researchers have showed that they can stop leukemia in its tracks by targeting a protein that puts the handbrake on cancer cell growth.They discovered targeting protein Hhex could cure acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in preclinical disease models, and could be a key target for new therapies for human leukemia...

A new Method for converting solar energy into electrical power using photo-bioelectrochemical cells. Credit: Image courtesy Prof. Itamar Willner

In the natural photosynthetic apparatus, photosynthetic reaction is coupled to biocatalytic transformations leading to CO2 fixation and O2 evolution. Although significant progress has been achieved in the integration of native photosystems with electrodes for light-to-electrical energy conversion, the conjugation of the photosystems to enzymes to yield photo-bioelectrocatalytic solar cells remains a challenge.

The photo-bioelectrochemical cells use glucose oxidase or glucose dehydrogenase and modified integrated electrodes that include the natural photosynthetic reaction center, known as photosystem I, conjugated to these enzymes...

Empirical design parameters determine in-cell performance

It could lead to an artificial sensing system that could control a cell’s behavior in response to such stimuli as the presence of toxins or the development of cancer. The research uses DNA strand displacement, a technology that has been widely used outside of cells for the design of molecular circuits, motors and sensors. Researchers modified the process to provide both “AND” and “OR” logic gates able to operate inside the living cells and interact with native messenger RNA (mRNA).

The tools they developed could provide a foundation for bio-computers able to sense, analyze and modulate molecular information at the cellular level...

A sleep study in process is shown. Credit: The University of Chicago Medicine

2 consecutive nights of extended sleep, a typical weekend occurrence, appears to counteract the increased risk of diabetes associated with short-term sleep restriction during the work week, at least in lean, healthy, young men eating a controlled diet. The finding, based on a study performed at the University of Chicago sleep lab could affect large numbers of people who work long hours.

Even short-term sleep restriction, with 4 or 5 hours of sleep per night, can increase the risk of developing diabetes by about 16%—comparable to the increase in risk caused by obesity.

The researchers recruited 19 volunteers, all healthy young men. On one occasion, they were allowed to sleep normally, spending 8...