Dysfunctions of the tiny cell processes (primary cilia*) of the pancreatic beta cells could be a cause of type 2 diabetes. Little is known about the structure and function of these cilia. An international research team led by DZD researchers from the Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) at Helmholtz Munich of the Faculty of Medicine of the Technical University of Dresden has used various new imaging techniques to visualize the primary cilia in their natural environment. Their investigations not only provide detailed insights into the structure of these cilia, but also show their connection to the nervous system. The results have now been published in Nature Communications.

In a new study, Arizona State University researcher Michael Lynch explores the substantial energy demands required to maintain and evolve multicellular life. The study, using the water flea Daphnia as a model organism, reveals that multicellular organisms require significantly more energy than single-celled ones. In fact, studies show that these organisms require more than a tenfold increase in energy compared with protists — simpler, mostly single-celled organisms.

Researchers from the UCLA Samueli School of Engineering and the University of Rome Tor Vergata in Italy have developed synthetic genes that function like the genes in living cells. The artificial genes can build intracellular structures through a cascading sequence that builds self-assembling structures piece by piece. The discovery offers a path toward using a suite of simple building blocks that can be programmed to make complex biomolecular materials, such as nanoscale tubes from DNA tiles. The same components can also be programmed to break up the design for different materials. 

Insilico Medicine(“Insilico”), a global leading generative artificial intelligence (AI)-driven biotechnology company, today announced it has signed a Revolving Loan Facility of up to US$100 million with HSBC, one of the world's largest banks and financial services institutions. HSBC’s customized financing solution will support Insilico’s global development centered on multiple sites, as well as the expansion of innovative advantages, thus driving the economy growth in the Greater Bay Area.