A recent study involving researchers from the University of Basel reveals that slowing down the intracellular transport of RNA-based drugs can significantly enhance their effectiveness. These promising therapeutics are currently used to treat rare genetic diseases.

Senescent cells, which are damaged and inflammatory, contribute significantly to ageing. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing have found that worms can enter a senescent-like state, similar to that observed in mammals. This discovery provides a simple yet powerful model to study senescence at the whole organism level, enabling the identification of new ways to prevent or reverse senescence. These findings hold promise for developing therapies targeting age-related conditions and cancer dormancy.

The elucidation of the structure and origin of the so-called “Yellow Affinity Substance” (YAS) provides new insights into cellulose degradation by the bacterium Clostridium thermocellum (new name: Acetivibrio thermocellus). It is assumed that the yellow pigment plays a decisive role in the conversion of plant biomass into usable sugar, which opens up new perspectives for biofuel production. The study also opens up new approaches in antibiotics research.

Mouse models are central to drug development, including treatments for neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease. In a new eNeuro publication, researchers from OIST’s Neuronal Rhythms in Movement Unit introduce a mouse motion capture method which provides very high-resolution measurement of mouse movement. Their marker-based approach avoids the need for extensive data processing with AI or machine learning, and can capture high-quality data on complex movement, such as running or climbing.