Light-induced accumulation of p-coumaric acid enhances adhesion between the outer and inner tissues, which contributes to regulation of growth.

Peach buds may be far less dormant than scientists once believed. 

The 2026 season of the Pharma.AI webinar series will showcase the ongoing AI revolution in life sciences, including the increased interest in the use of foundation models why specialized models remain essential for biology, chemistry, and translational research; How Pharma.AI brings together foundation models and scientific AI agents within a unified AI-driven workflow for drug R&D and scientific research; and how Insilico’s leading “AI trains AI” approach may enable foundation models to be better adapted for scientific and drug discovery applications, accelerating the evolution of AI decision-making systems.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a critical subpopulation within tumors, drive cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, relapse, and resistance to therapy due to their innate capacity for self-renewal and differentiation. Although the molecular mechanisms controlling CSC biology are poorly understood, recent research highlights the pivotal regulatory role of non-coding RNAs—specifically long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs)—in governing these processes.

Researchers in Lithuania have identified a promising new approach to cartilage regeneration using extracellular vesicles derived from menstrual blood stromal cells. Their study shows that these tiny cell-released particles can improve cartilage cell function, slow tissue degradation, and stimulate regenerative processes even in older cartilage cells with reduced healing capacity. The findings suggest a potential future cell-free therapy for osteoarthritis, a condition affecting more than 600 million people worldwide. To enhance the stability and delivery of these vesicles, the interdisciplinary team is also developing biomimetic scaffolds that protect the vesicles and release them gradually within the joint. The research highlights both the therapeutic potential of menstrual blood-derived biological material and the importance of combining biomaterials, cell biology, and engineering in regenerative medicine.