Matthew Freeman’s group in the LMB’s Cell Biology Division have discovered a novel protein, iRhom2, that plays a central role in the signalling pathways that regulate inflammation and cancer. The cytokine protein, TNF, is the primary trigger of inflammation in humans. To function, active TNF must be shed from cells by the protease TACE. TACE […]
Insight on Research
New evidence of nuocyte involvement in allergic asthma
Andrew McKenzie’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division have shown for the first time that a new immune cell type, the nuocyte, can orchestrate the initiation of allergic asthma in an experimental model. Nuocytes were shown to cause airway hyperactivity – a key feature of human asthma. Previous research has shown the underlying allergic asthma […]
New intracellular transport system discovered.
Melina Schuh, in the LMB’s Cell Biology Division, has uncovered for the first time a new transport system for long-range transport of vesicles in animal cells. This discovery could re-write the textbooks on the subject. Intracellular transport is vital for the function, survival and architecture of every cell. The contents of our body’s cells are […]
In vivo role for Fanconi Anaemia DNA repair pathway identified
KJ Patel’s group in the LMB’s PNAC Division have uncovered for the first time, how excess alcohol can cause irreparable damage to our DNA. In a new study published in the journal Nature today, they also discovered a two-tier defence system in our cells that limits the threat of permanent genetic damage. KJ’s group have […]
Digitization of visual signals in the retina
Vision is perhaps the most important sense by which we understand the world. Visual information is transmitted by nerve cells sending signals to each other through special connections called synapses. But how does this happen? Leon Lagnado’s group in the Neurobiology Division of the LMB is investigating how visual signals are transmitted between neurons in […]
Link Between Ribosome Maturation and Cancer
A group of collaborative researchers, led by Alan Warren’s group at the LMB, have discovered a surprising link between human ribosome maturation and cancer. The team identified the conserved mechanism that underlies a critical step in the maturation of ribosomes and showed that this step is defective in an inherited form of bone marrow failure […]