Cell Guidance Systems Blog

The liver is the largest vital organ responsible for functions including metabolism, immunity, digestion, detoxification and endocrine regulation. Its multifaceted role, unique anatomical features and specialized blood supply - receiving blood directly from the GI tract and heart - render it an indispensable target for therapeutic interventions aimed at addressing liver diseases and improving overall health outcomes.

Inflammation is a natural biological response to tissue injury or infection, but chronic low-grade inflammation, also known as inflammaging, is a hallmark of ageing. In recent years, the relationship between cytokines, inflammation, and ageing has become established.

Liver disease is a significant health concern that affects millions of people worldwide. The liver plays a crucial role in metabolism, detoxification, and bile production, and liver disease can significantly impact liver function. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential for managing liver disease, and nanoparticles and microparticles offer promising therapeutic approaches for early-stage liver disease.

Chocolate directly affects immune system performance. Stripping back the confounding effects of other components, such as sugar, cocoa itself promotes beneficial changes which are reflected in levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines.

Immune reactions are a hazard of protein drug development. Why are some foreign proteins such as silk and botulinum toxin (Botox) tolerated when other proteins are not?

Cancer drugs struggle to reach a tumour's core. Cambridge researchers develop cellular 'Trojan horse' to deliver cancer drugs more effectively.

As ubiquitous messengers, exosomes play a role in how our bodies manage energy. From adipocytes to the gut microbiome, new insights into how exosomes modulate human metabolism might be providing a glimpse into the future of metabolic disease treatment.

It is said that a drug without side effects is a drug without efficacy. Could the same be true of artificial sweeteners? Are we hoping too much that the sweetness we crave can be satisfied without the normal cost in calories, cavities and surges in blood sugar levels?

Both hormones and exosomes regulate physiological processes by transmitting signals to distant cells. Although clearly distinct, these two systems interact in complex and important ways.