For the first time, researchers at UBC have demonstrated how to reliably produce an important type of human immune cell—known as helper T cells—from stem cells in a laboratory setting. The findings, published Jan. 8 in Cell Stem Cell, overcome a major hurdle that has limited the development, affordability and large-scale manufacturing of cell therapies. The discovery could pave the way for more accessible and effective off-the-shelf treatments for a wide range of conditions like cancer, infectious diseases, autoimmune disorders and more.

The 4D Nucleome Consortium has extensively mapped and analyzed the 3-D folding of the human genome in human embryonic stem cells and immortalized fibroblasts over time.

Researchers at The University of Osaka used a range of cellular techniques to show that the histone protein CENP-A can be deposited into centromeres by two independent pathways. By identifying that CENP-C can substitute for Mis18C in binding to the chaperone HJURP to prompt CENP-A deposition, they showed that there is redundancy in the process of specifying the location of the centromere on chromosomes, which is essential for mitosis and meiosis.

Core Conclusion:

This study systematically elucidates the multifunctional transport properties and structural basis of BTR1, a member of the SLC4 family. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and electrophysiology, it reveals BTR1’s unique mechanism in transporting ammonia, sodium ions, and protons, and identifies key regulatory sites and functional residues.

An international team of researchers led by Hokkaido University has characterized the unique mechanics that enable Arcella, a shelled, single-celled amoeba, to move skillfully across different surfaces. Their findings, published in the Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B, have shed light on how this tiny microorganism maintains mechanical balance during movement, supporting its shell through the coordinated use of its many pseudopodia.

Researchers at University of Tsukuba and their collaborators have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the olfactory receptor repertoire of the hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri), a jawless vertebrate. This organism retains many primitive features yet possesses a highly developed olfactory system. The researchers' findings reveal that certain olfactory receptor gene families have undergone substantial lineage-specific diversification, suggesting that the vertebrate common ancestor likely possessed a broader and more complex olfactory repertoire than previously proposed.

Australia’s beloved dolphin populations face growing pressures from environmental changes and human activity, increasing the need for reliable, accessible and non-invasive tools to monitor their health and support conservation and management. 

In a new study published in the Journal of Thermal Biology, marine mammal experts from Flinders University analysed more than 40,000 drone-based thermal images to test how accurately drones fitted with thermal cameras can measure dolphin surface temperature and respiration rates without the need for capture or invasive probes.