Let Rare Mutations Speak: Novel Mechanisms in Immune System Regulation
Chris Overall lab investigated a unique mutation in the MALT1 gene, which lead to a patient that paradoxically had a poor response to infection and autoimmune symptoms.
Focus on Dental Pulp: the Overall Lab Discovers New Proteins
Dr. Chris Overall and his team recently published a study focused on human dental pulp, reporting the most comprehensive snapshot of any dental tissue so far. It was featured in the Editorial of the Human Proteome Project Special Issue published by the Journal of Proteome Research for the HUPO-2015 world congress.
Going Against the Flow: Self-Fuelled Microparticles Deliver Cargo through Flowing Blood to Stop Hemorrhage
James Baylis, a PhD student in Dr. Christian Kastrup lab at the CBR, spearheaded a collaborative study that was recently published in the journal Science Advances characterizing a self-propelled drug delivery system capable of penetrating deep into the wound site.
Searching for Alternative Plasticizers for Red Blood Cell Storage Bags
This comparative study suggests that the current DEHP plasticizer is best at preserving RBC quality, and DINCH, an alternative plasticizer may also be feasible for blood storage bag production.
Insight into tumor metastasis: inner workings of the sialyltransferases
Modification of NCAM with polySia promotes migration of cells, a process that is critical for both the development of the embryonic brain and neural plasticity of the adult brain. Interestingly, elevated levels of polySia have been implicated in the malignant potential of tumors, tumor metastasis and poor clinical prognosis.
Striking a balance between blood product quality and safety
Dr. Peter Schubert, a Research Associate and Manager of Dr. Dana Devine’s Laboratory at CBR, collaborated with an industry partner, TerumoBCT, to investigate the impact of pathogen inactivation technologies in whole blood, as opposed to standard practice of individual blood components.
Taming antimicrobial peptides for treating bacterial infections
A toxic antimicrobial compound secreted by an Australian growling grass frog, Litoria raniformis, can prove useful against antibiotic resistant bacteria. The Kizhakkedathu group at CBR undertook this quest in their recent paper published in Biomacromolecules.
Dr. Rossi’s team discovers new mechanisms to target muscular dystrophy
Researchers unraveled a mechanism governing the deregulation of connective tissue cells (FAPs) after muscle injury. The interaction between FAPs and Macrophages could be a target of the new anti-fibrosis therapies.
Picornaviruses cleave host’s proteins to facilitate viral infection: Drs. Overall and Jan identify novel targets
Although initially viewed as ”collateral damage” resulting from viral replication cleavages in host proteins have increasingly been recognized as specific, targeted events aimed at impeding antiviral responses and facilitating viral infection.
Clearing the path for infection: E. coli Type III Secretion System
It is fascinating to behold the ingenuity by which certain bacteria achieve infection in their host. One clear example is the enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, which uses a molecular syringe and needle complex to inject its virulence proteins into the cytoplasm of host intestinal epithelial cells.