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Asymmetric cell division, which occurs when a mother cell gives rise to two daughter cells with different fates, is crucial for generating diversity during development and for the function of stem cells. Studies in flies and worms have provided important advances for understanding this process.
Adipose tissue controls whole-body lipid flux, thereby modulating both glucose and lipid homeostasis in humans. Discovery of new targets that regulate fatty acids in adipocytes might lead to therapeutic modalities that can prevent insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Cell death has historically been divided into regulated (apoptotic) and unregulated (necrotic) mechanisms. Emerging evidence, however, suggests that these two categories do not adequately explain all cell death mechanisms. How and why might non-apoptotic, regulated cell death mechanisms have evolved?
DNA helicases and translocases have essential roles in nucleic acid metabolism. Processive helicases must translocate along DNA; however, enzyme self assembly and/or interactions with accessory proteins can regulate the separate translocase and helicase activities of some of these enzymes.
The p53 protein regulates the transcription of many target genes in response to a wide variety of stress signals. This Analysis article presents the most comprehensive list so far of human p53-regulated genes and their experimentally validated, functional binding sites that confer p53 regulation.
Although biomedical research has never been more intellectually exciting or practically important to society, pursuing a career as a biomedical scientist has never been more difficult. This article provides advice and gives tips on finding the right laboratory for Ph.D. and postdoctoral training.
During recent decades, the lack of appropriate funding has made it difficult for European basic research to compete with research in North America and parts of Asia. The establishment of the European Research Council promises new opportunities to boost European science.