Cell Guidance Systems Blog

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.

Complex models of the bone marrow tissue, capable of replicating functional niches that maintain multipotent haemopoietic stem cells, are on the horizon. These models will enable more realistic and informative in-vitro studies of drugs for haematological diseases as well as assessing the myelotoxicty of treatments targeted at other tissues.

Cancer of the prostate, a small gland that produces seminal fluid in men, is one of the most common cancers and the 5th leading cause of male death worldwide. Men over the age of 50, those of African descent, or those with a family history of prostate cancer are at a higher risk. Additionally, diet, particularly diets high in fat and sugar, can increase the likelihood of prostate cancer by negatively affecting the gut microbiome.

Last week, two groups reported encouraging clinical trial results of iPSC-based autologous cellular therapy for Parkinsons disease (PD). However, the implanted cells' poor survival may have undermined these results.

Immunotherapy, boosting the activity of the immune system, is widely used in cancer treatment. Success has been achieved with a variety of modalities, including adoptive cellular immunotherapy, antibodies, tumour vaccines, and small-molecule inhibitors. Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a key role in treatment outcome for many of these modalities even if the treatment does not target them directly.

Using lasers, hydrogels and sustained release neurotropic growth factors, researchers in Switzerland have developed a sophisticated nerve conduit system to repair non-union nerve damage.

Cells communicate by their secretions, impacting the behaviour of other cells. Cell secretion therapies use living cells to produce and secrete therapeutic substances that can aid in treating diseases. These include extracellular vesicles (EVs), cytokines, chemokines and hormones. Such therapies are at the forefront of regenerative medicine and immunotherapy.