Category Health/Medical

Transient and stable DNA methylation during memory acquisition and maintenance.

Their study confirms that the formation of memories is accompanied by an altered activity of specific genes. In addition, they found unprecedented evidence that supports the hypothesis DNA methylation may be the molecular basis of long-term memory.

The scientists stimulated long-term memory in mice, by training the animals to recognise a specific test environment. Based on tissue samples, they could discern to what extent this learning task triggered changes in the activity of the genes in the mice’s brain cells. Their focus was on epigenetic modifications. Gene regulation can happen through methylation. Changes in the histones that are packaging the DNA may also occur.

Hennion: “Research on epigenetic change...

3D model of the protein complex mTORC1. Credit: University of Basel, Biozentrum

For a long time it has been known protein TOR – Target of Rapamycin – controls cell growth and is involved in the development of diseases such as cancer and diabetes. Researchers have now examined the structure of mammalian TOR complex 1 (mTORC1) in more detail.

About 25 years ago, Prof. Michael Hall discovered the protein “Target of Rapamycin” (TOR) at the Biozentrum. It is one of the most studied proteins of the protein kinase family, an important family of regulatory proteins that control many cellular processes. TOR, in mammals called mTOR, is very important for cellular signalling and is implicated in various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegeneration...

Photo of a tooth germ with a nylon noose (left) and the noose tightened (right). Credit: Image courtesy of RIKEN

In mice, they were able to extract teeth germs- groups of cells formed early in life that later develop into teeth, split them into 2, and then implant the teeth into the mice’s jaws, where they developed into two fully functional teeth

Teeth are a major target of regenerative medicine. ~10% of people are born with some missing teeth, and in addition, virtually all people lose some teeth to either accidents or disease as they age. Remedies such as implants and bridges are available, but they do not restore the full functionality of the teeth...