Cell Guidance Systems Blog

Protein gradients, especially of cytokines and chemokines, are essential in biology for guiding cell migration, activating immunity, and orchestrating development. Traditional methods often struggle with unstable delivery, burst release, or limited spatial control. Here, we review common approaches and highlight the befits of PODS as a powerful, next-generation tool for engineering reliable protein gradients.

Researchers in Tokyo have leveraged PODS protein crystals to create a gold-harvesting technology that is environmentally friendly and more selective than most synthetic materials.

A new study led by researchers at the University of Glasgow presents compelling evidence of PODS ability to elevate organoid-based therapies to a new level.

Isolating EVs in a form compatible with downstream next-generation sequencing (NGS), particularly for small RNA analysis, can be technically challenging. But using the right kits to process the samples, many different groups have now developed an efficient workflow that is generating valuable EV microRNA data.

We explore the status of CAR T-cell therapy in the treatment of solid tumors, possible causes of failure, potential solutions, and the progress of CAR T-cell therapy for solid tumors and discuss the possible significance of CAR T-cell therapy for cancer treatment in the future.

CAR-T has been revolutionary, but as an autologous therapy, it is slow and costly. Allogeneic CAR-T cells, known as iNKTS, are now in development and may offer a rapid, cheaper (and perhaps more effective) off-the-shelf solution.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging technique used to study cellular processes and develop new therapies. Introduced in 1999, TPD works by breaking down specific proteins using either the proteasomal or lysosomal pathways. Most current TPD methods, such as PROTACs, molecular glues, Trim-Away, and SNIPERs, depend on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) and are primarily designed to target proteins inside cells.

When presented with cancer cells, our cytogeneticists often see tiny chromosomal structures known as double minutes. What are these, how are they formed, and what is their importance?

Macrophages are key immune cells that constantly identify and remove emerging cancers. Unfortunately, some cancer cells slip under the macrophage radar. When these immuno-escaped cancer cells develop the ability to control macrophages, cancers can become enabled to metastasise. However, this reliance on macrophages could provide therapeutic opportunities.

Often overlooked, matrix stiffness is hugely important to the behaviour of cells. A recent study of prostate cancer cells using gels of varying stiffness reveals mechanistic insights.