The concept of bispecific antibodies – monoclonal antibodies able to recognise and engage two different antigens – has been explored for over twenty years. Development of therapies based on the approach has, however, been hampered by difficulties in their construction,…
Blog Archives
Why Bacteria Turn Bad
The human body is host to a plethora of microorganisms and, for the most part, their presence has no ill effects. Some, particularly intestinal bacteria, even provide benefit. From a microbial perspective, harming the host does not have any obvious…
Saying it with Flowers
The process of cell competition is believed to provide a mechanism to optimise tissue ‘fitness’ during development by eliminating weaker cells from the overall cell population. First described in Drosophila, a number of genes have been linked to cell competition…
Forthcoming Conference on Iminosugars
Iminosugars, where the endocyclic oxygen of sugars is replaced by a basic nitrogen, constitute a class of carbohydrate analogues that has received considerable attention in recent years. The discovery that the natural product, 1-deoxy nojirimycin, had potent inhibitory properties toward…
Posted in Events
Loss of microRNA in Malignant Mesothelioma
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (21-23 nucleotides), single-stranded RNA molecules that function as regulators of gene expression. The human genome encodes several hundred miRNAs and abnormal expression of these has been associated with cancer progression. We have previously reported on miRNA…
Role for Unique Protein in Diabetes
The eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF5A, which exists in two isoforms, was originally thought to be involved in formation of the first peptide bond during mRNA translation, but more recent work has implicated it as a translation elongation factor. In…
Locking out or Locking in – It’s Not the Same Key for Malaria
Plasmodium parasites, responsible for malaria in humans, have a complex lifecycle that is dependent on mosquito and human hosts. In human blood, the merozoite stage of the parasite invades red blood cells (erythrocytes), growing and multiplying before rupturing the cell…
Regulating Cholesterol Levels
Cholesterol is an essential component of all cellular membranes and is also required for synthesis of vitamin D and steroid hormones. Since it is poorly soluble in water, it is mainly transported through the bloodstream within lipoproteins – complex spherical…
Potent Inhibitor of Insulin Degrading Enzyme Reported
A new study from a Mayo Clinic-led research team has identified novel, potent inhibitors of insulin degrading enzyme (IDE). Despite an interest in IDE for over 50 years, because of its involvement in insulin catabolism, these are the first potent…
Another Activity for Vinpocetine
Vinpocetine is the semi-synthetic derivative (ethyl ester) of the alkaloid, apovincamine, found in the Lesser Periwinle (Vinca minor). It has previously been reported to have neuroprotective properties and to increase cerebral blood flow. Although it is used in Eastern Europe…
