Explore breakthrough discoveries and key publications from our scientific research initiatives that embody the spirit of innovation and collaboration within our bioscience community.
Each highlighted project or publication offers a glimpse into the significant advancements being made across various disciplines, demonstrating our commitment to solving complex biological challenges.
Recent Publications
BioInnovations in Brain Cancer
This novel gene therapy trial has shown promising safety profiles in treating high-grade glioma, a type of brain cancer known for its challenging prognosis. Utilizing adenoviral vectors to deliver therapeutic genes directly into the tumor site, this approach opens new avenues for enhancing immune responses against these aggressive tumors.
Cryo-EM at U-M
A Widespread Bacterial Protein Compartment Sequesters and Stores Elemental Sulfur
This study reveals that desulfurase encapsulins, prevalent in prokaryotes for compartmentalization, can store crystalline elemental sulfur. The 1.78-angstrom cryo-EM structure of a desulfurase-loaded encapsulin shows how elemental sulfur crystals form within these protein shells, with l-cysteine as the sulfur donor. The encapsulin’s selectively permeable shell protects redox-labile sulfur while enhancing desulfurase activity and stability, marking a significant example of protein-based elemental sulfur storage in bacteria.
Institute for Global Change Biology
Predators Control Pests and Increase Yield Across Crop Types and Climates: A Meta-Analysis
Exploring the role of natural predators in pest management, this meta-analysis of field studies reveals that predators can reduce pest populations by an average of 73% and boost crop yields by 25%. The effectiveness of biological control is consistent regardless of the diversity of predator species and appears to be influenced significantly by precipitation seasonality, with greater pest control observed in more variable climates. These findings highlight the potential of biocontrol as a sustainable solution to enhance food security amidst changing precipitation patterns.
Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats
In a pivotal study investigating the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms in nursing homes, researchers found that antibiotic use and physical interactions with surroundings by residents play significant roles in the environmental contamination by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The findings underscore the importance of hand hygiene and careful antibiotic management in mitigating the risk of VRE transmission, highlighting new avenues for enhancing infection control practices in nursing home settings.
Michigan Concussion Center
This study from the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium reveals insights into the factors affecting the return to learn (RTL) timelines for student-athletes post-concussion. Key findings indicate a notably swift RTL, with factors such as gender and symptom severity changes playing significant roles in recovery rates. This emphasizes the need for personalized concussion management strategies in academic settings.
Natural Products Drug Discovery
This study compares the metabolic profiles of Romanesco broccoli (RB) and purple broccoli (PB), revealing PB’s higher levels of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and glucosinolates which enhance its antioxidant and anticholinergic activities. Through molecular docking, the research highlights broccoli’s potential as a neuroprotective functional food, particularly against Alzheimer’s disease.
A new computational pipeline has been developed to address the challenges of determining the structures of diphenazine natural products, which are potential inhibitors of the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E. This approach, which utilizes ECD and GIAO NMR calculations along with DP4+ analysis, has enabled the revision and characterization of several diphenazine structures, highlighting the effectiveness of computational methods in natural product research.
Programmable Biomaterials for Regenerative Medicine
A composite material designed to mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) of native tissue has been engineered, enhancing the study of development and disease. This material integrates ECM-sequestering fibers within a degradable hydrogel, promoting cell remodeling of the matrix and aggregation into organoid-like structures. Specifically tailored for ovarian follicle culture, this approach has shown significant improvements in oocyte survival and growth, highlighting its potential for advancing artificial ovary engineering.
RNA Biomedicine
This research offers a closer look at the mechanisms of type I-C CRISPR-Cas systems, revealing how DNA is targeted and degraded with the aid of four cryo-EM snapshots. This study not only elucidates the intricate process of DNA capture and Cas3 activation but also introduces AcrIC8 and AcrIC9 as effective inhibitors, providing valuable off-switches for CRISPR gene editing applications in human cells.
Single Cell Spatial Analysis Program
Researchers analyzed more than 18,000 genes from the ovaries of premenopausal donors and performed single-cell RNA sequencing on 21,198 cells to classify major ovarian cell types and subtypes. They identified unique gene activities in oocytes, theca, and granulosa cells, enhancing our understanding of follicle development. This detailed map of ovarian cell functions offers valuable insights for future studies on ovarian health and disease.
Dermal fibroblasts, crucial in wound healing and scar formation, exhibit heightened inflammatory responses in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and cutaneous lupus erythematosus (CLE). Research shows TGF-β’s pivotal role in driving the inflammatory fibroblast response in scarring CLE, revealing distinct fibroblast reactions in scarring versus nonscarring disease forms. These insights suggest potential skin-specific interventions to mitigate lupus-related damage.
