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Investigators from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and California (USA) have discovered a molecular mechanism involved in the development of autoimmune diseases like lupus. These are the receptors LXR (Liver X Receptors) that regulate the removal of the remains of dead cells by apoptosis, a process that, when it fails, it causes inflammation of surrounding tissue and the body's immune response. The research, conducted with mice, opens the door to the use of these receptors as therapeutic targets for these diseases.

Antonio Castrillo, CSIC researcher at the Institute for Biomedical Research (Joint CSIC and Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) and director of research, explains: "The research in mice has shown that in the absence of these receptors, the process of removal of dead cells is severely compromised. "According to the research, these receptors, proteins residing in the cell nucleus and known so far for its role in cholesterol metabolism, regulate the expression of an important gene involved in removal of cellular debris.

A study by researchers from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and Universidad de Murcia has found that some bacterial proteins are very similar to human proteins. Specifically, the research details the similarities between HMGA and histone H1, human protein Card and two bacteria. All of them perform functions related to
the formation of DNA and gene expression. The research is published in PNAS.

Investigators from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) have recreated in the laboratory that uses the molecular machinery of the influenza virus to replicate and express its genetic material, one of the key aspects of their life cycle and, Consequently, the success of their infection. The work provides a new tool for scientists to conduct structural studies and to better understand the processes of gene expression and replication of the virus.

The research, published in PLoS Pathogens, has been led by researchers at the CSIC Juan Ortín and Jaime Martín-Benito, National Center for Biotechnology (CSIC) in Madrid. The authors have used biochemical techniques to create this reproduction, which can observe the machinery of virus replication with electron microscopy and, in turn, deepen the understanding of the virus. So far, the replication machinery could not be observed by electron microscopy because of its flexibility.

Investigators from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has discovered a new way to control up to a limit unprecedented movements of objects at the nanoscale. The investigation, which is published in the latest issue of Science, offers new opportunities for development and improvement of many nanotechnology applications such as nanosensors to detect masses so small that the nucleus of an atom.

The research was led by Adrian Bachtold researcher, group leader of the Quantum Nanoelectronics Research Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology CIN2 (CSIC Joint and ICN), in Bellaterra, Barcelona. Bachtold and his colleague, Daniel Garcia Sanchez and Benjamin Lassagne have enjoyed the cooperation of Yury Tarakanov and Jari Kinarett, scientists at the Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg (Sweden).

Cellectricon has announced its collaboration with the University of Lodz (Poland). Under the agreement, the University of Lodz will invest in Cellaxess (R) HT, the world's first system for high transfection efficiency that allow delivery of reagents free of any genetic material to cells.

"We are excited in relation to collaboration with Cellectricon, and we believe that the system Cellaxess (R) HT will be a big step forward for our efforts within our research program focused on cell biology and molecular genetics of genes associated with clinically relevant treatment cancer, "said Bartosz profesorGrzegorz, head of the department of molecular biophysics at the University of Lodz. The genomic control is a rapidly evolving field, and the need is very important around the technology that allows a high transfection efficiency and viability in most cell types. Cellaxess (R) HT will allow us to take an ambitious expression and mute control processes that would otherwise have been viable in the economic aspect in the study with conventional instrumentation. The acquisition system Cellaxess (R) HT by the University of Lodz was made possible by funds from the Operational Program Innovative Economy Republic of Poland, which have been supported in part by the European Union through the Fund European Regional Development.

A team from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) has shown that the activity of the Polycomb protein is essential for proper differentiation of self and neural stem cells. According to managers of work, researchers at the CSIC and Carlos Miguel Vidal Vicario, control of these processes is "important" for the use of stem cells and differentiated cells in cell therapy protocols and regenerative medicine.

At work, he has published in its July issue the journal Stem Cells, have been used genetically modified mice to investigate the activity of Polycomb group genes, one of the epigenetic regulation modules (the mechanisms of genetic regulation that do not involve changes in DNA sequences), the self of the neural stem cells. Specifically, researchers conducted conditional inactivation of the protein RING1B.

A study by the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) provides new data on the activation of T lymphocytes, a type of white blood cells whose function is crucial for starting the body's immune response against pathogens. The investigation, which is published in the journal Nature Inmunology, reveals a new function of the immunological synapse in this activation process and confirms its importance in the articulation of the immune response.

The activation of T lymphocytes occurs in lymph nodes, regions throughout the human body, which is similar to the meeting points at airports or stations. They bet on other immune system cells of the human body, such as dendritic cells, which have previously engulfed microorganisms in the infection zone, then migrate to the lymph nodes and present antigens to T lymphocytes Through the lymph nodes, T lymphocytes continuously pass feel that dendritic cells to membrane receptors that recognize a TCR specific antigen, which comes from the area of infection, and is exposed on the dendritic cell. When this happens, the cell stops and form immunological synapse with a dendritic cell. This is a complex subcellular structure, formed in the area of interaction between T cells and dendritic cells, which keeps the two cells produced during cell activation. When it happens, the T cells proliferate and leave nodes to participate in the immune response.

Investigators from the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Universidad de Cantabria and the University of Harvard (United States) have discovered new clues about the origin of the focomelia, a rare disease that causes a deficient development of the long bones of the extremities, making them shorter than normal and, in extreme cases, the hands, feet or fingers directly arising from the trunk. The findings, which allows a better understanding of how they.

The focomelia is a very rare malformation, which affects about one in 20,000 newborns and is caused by genetic or environmental causes. In the 60 years its incidence has increased dramatically due to the prescription of thalidomide to relieve the nausea of pregnancy, drug later was shown to cause focomelia. Although easily detected during pregnancy, no treatment and those affected have a high mortality.

A team of researchers led by Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) Juan José Calvete has characterized the protein composition of the venom of the rattlesnake Crotalus atrox U.S., which together with Crotalus adamanteus, is responsible for Most poisoning accidents in the U.S.. The research is part of a larger project that seeks to understand the molecular basis of the evolution of venoms of the genus, widely distributed throughout the American continent. The study will improve the production and effectiveness of antidotes that neutralize the toxicity of the venom of these snakes. The work is published in the Journal of Proteome Research.

Calvete detailed research: "We identified by proteomic techniques which families of toxins are present in the venom of this snake, and also had given his relative concentration. This information is relevant to know what arsenal against biological antidotes should be prepared" .

Scientists at the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), University of Pittsburgh and Brigham and Women's Hospital Boston (USA) have identified a new defense mechanism of cells in the lung against bacterial infections, such as emphysema or pneumonia. The investigation, which is published in the latest issue of the journal Nature, helps to understand the mechanisms of human body's defense against bacterial attacks, and could lead to new antimicrobial therapies.

The study, in which the researcher has participated CSIC, F. Xavier Gomis-Ruth, Institute of Molecular Biology of Barcelona (CSIC), located in the Barcelona Science Park, focuses on the enzyme matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP-12). This enzyme, expressed by macrophages (a type of white blood cell) lung, has antimicrobial activity. In fact, it is known to be implicated in diseases such as emphysema, but no data were available about the role they played. In this work, which has contributed to the investigation of the CSIC, is described how it works and it has been determined the region of the protein responsible.