Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used their expertise in quantum biology, artificial intelligence and bioengineering to improve how CRISPR Cas9 genome editing tools work on organisms like microbes that can be modified to produce renewable fuels and chemicals. CRISPR is a powerful tool for bioengineering, used to modify genetic code to improve an organism’s performance or to correct mutations. The CRISPR Cas9 tool relies on a single, unique guide RNA that directs the Cas9 enzyme to bind with and cleave the corresponding targeted site in the genome. Existing models to computationally predict effective guide RNAs for CRISPR tools were built on data from only a few model species, with weak, inconsistent efficiency when applied to microbes. For more information, please visit energy.gov/science. JOURNALNucleic Acids Research DOI10.1093/nar/gkad736

The study, published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, demonstrates a link between long-term exposure to DDT and changes in the sperm epigenome. These changes, particularly in genes vital for fertility, embryo development, neurodevelopment, and hormone regulation, correspond to increased rates of birth defects and diseases, including neurodevelopmental and metabolic disorders. Lismer, A., Shao, X., Dumargne, M. C., Lafleur, C., Lambrot, R., Chan, D., … & Kimmins, S. (2024). The association between long-term DDT or DDE exposures and an altered sperm epigenome—a cross-sectional study of Greenlandic Inuit and South African VhaVenda men. Environmental Health Perspectives, 132(1), 017008. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP1201309.02.2024 McGill University

To help optimise clinical management, EULAR has drafted new recommendations for the use of imaging in diagnosis and management of CiA. A special taskforce – made up of rheumatologists, radiologists, methodologists, healthcare professionals, and patient research partners – collected evidence from four systematic literature reviews. The new work, published in the February issue of the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases includes five overarching principles and 10 recommendations. The principles stress that CiA are can be characterised by intermittent, acute episodes of inflammation – but they can also follow a chronic disease course with or without flares. Imaging provides useful information on crystal deposition, inflammation, and structural damage. However, abnormalities on imaging may not be related to clinical symptoms, and patient information including medical history, laboratory results, and physical examination are always the most relevant to be taken into account. Finally,… 

A study conducted by Aston University researchers has demonstrated that the appearance of ageing skin looks noticeably different compared to younger skin, when examined under polarised laser light. The scientists believe that their new finding could pave the way for new, non-invasive light-based techniques to detect diseases, including cancer, in older individuals. This could significantly enhance early-stage treatment options for various skin conditions. Journal of Biomedical Optics 2024 May;29(5):052912. Epublished  2023 Nov 14.Incremental residual polarization caused by aging in human skinViktor Dremin,1,2,* Elena Zharkikh,1 Ivan Lopushenko,1 Zbignevs Marcinkevics,3 Alexander Bykov,1,* Igor Meglinski1,2,41Univ. of Oulu (Finland)2Aston University. (United Kingdom)3Univ. of Latvia (Latvia)4I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical Univ. (Russia) [DOI: 10.1117/1.JBO.29.5.052912]

In dem gemeinsam erarbeiteten White Paper „Biotech Innovation Hubs in Germany – Divided and Conquered?“ stellen das Institute for Deep Tech Innovation (DEEP) an der ESMT Berlin und die internationale Unternehmensberatung BCG den Biotech Innovation Hub Index (BIHI) vor, der die Effektivität von Biotech-Innovationszentren in Europa und den USA bewerten und vergleichen hilft. Die Studie, die einen besonderen Fokus auf Europas größte Volkswirtschaft Deutschland legt, zeigt, dass europäische Hubs hinter denen in den USA angesiedelten zurückbleiben. Lediglich in der Qualität der akademischen Forschung ragen die europäischen Innovationszentren heraus. Die wegweisende Studie zeigt, dass es bei der Transformation von akademischer Forschung in erfolgreiche Biotech-Unternehmen eine erhebliche Kluft zwischen den europäischen – insbesondere den deutschen – Zentren und ihren US-amerikanischen Pendants herrscht. Trotz vergleichbarer Leistung und komplementärer Stärken mangelt es deutschen Biotech-Zentren an effektiver Zusammenarbeit, was zu einer unterdurchschnittlichen Leistung im Vergleich… 

Das Team um Privatdozent Dr. Markus Chmielewski am Zentrum für Molekulare Medizin Köln (ZMMK) stellt eine neue Strategie vor, wie CAR-T-Zell-basierte Immuntherapie wirkungsvoller und sicherer gestaltet werden kann. Die Studie wurde unter „An anti-CD19/CTLA-4 switch improves efficacy and selectivity of CAR T cells targeting CD80/86-upregulated DLBCL“ in der Fachzeitschrift Cell Reports Medicine veröffentlicht. Originalpublikation:https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666379124000442