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High School Student Akhil Tumuluri Co-Authors Cancer Research Manuscript at UNC Lineberger

High School Student Akhil Tumuluri Co-Authors Cancer Research Manuscript at UNC Lineberger

Akhil Tumuluri, a 16-year-old senior at N.C. School of Science and Math (NCSSM) in Morganton, North Carolina, has co-authored a manuscript on NRF2–RAS interactions in cancer. This significant achievement stems from his active involvement as a lab researcher at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center. Tumuluri's interest in cancer research was sparked by its impact on his extended family. He was introduced to Bernard E. Weissman, PhD, Co-associate Director of Cancer Research Training Education Coordination (CRTEC) and a member of the UNC Lineberger Cancer Genetics Research Program. Dr. Weissman recognized Tumuluri's talent and drive, providing him with the opportunity to contribute to a project using bioinformatics to analyze how NRF2 and RAS mutations occur together in human cancers, particularly lung cancer, and their effect on responses to new RAS inhibitors. Tumuluri's work focused on deciphering NRF2–RAS crosstalk and using data to contribute to the manuscript.

Avner Schlessinger Appointed Chair of UNC Department of Pharmacology

Avner Schlessinger Appointed Chair of UNC Department of Pharmacology

Avner Schlessinger, PhD, has been named the new chair of the UNC Department of Pharmacology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Schlessinger is slated to begin his tenure in February 2027. He will succeed Henrik Dohlman, PhD, who will step down from the chair position in February but will remain a faculty member within the department. Dr. Schlessinger is currently the director of the AI Small Molecule Drug Discovery Center and the Dr. Amy and James Elster Professor of Molecular Biology and a professor of pharmacological sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. His research focuses on integrating computational chemistry, artificial intelligence, structural biology, and experimental pharmacology to improve and automate the structure-based drug discovery process. He holds a B.Sc. in chemistry and biology from Tel Aviv University and a PhD in biochemistry and molecular biophysics from Columbia University.

AI Genome Analysis Raises Concerns Over Standards and Clinical Interpretation

AI Genome Analysis Raises Concerns Over Standards and Clinical Interpretation

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing the accessibility and speed of genome analysis, with systems like Claude now capable of interpreting entire genomes in minutes for a minimal cost. This marks a significant shift from the past, where such analyses required extensive human expertise and time. For example, a task that once took a team of 30 people nearly a year to complete can now be attempted by AI in about 30 minutes for approximately $5. While AI can re-identify important genetic findings, including disease risks and medication responses, its interpretations are influenced by factors such as the reference genome used and the sequencing technology. Many existing genomes were produced using 'short-read sequencing,' which can be unreliable in complex or repetitive DNA regions where disease-causing variants might occur. Furthermore, current reference genomes often do not adequately represent the full diversity of human genomes, potentially making variant detection difficult in under-represented...

Research Explores Gasdermin Family's Role in Pyroptosis and Therapeutic Potential

Research Explores Gasdermin Family's Role in Pyroptosis and Therapeutic Potential

Recent research delves into the gasdermin (GSDM) family of proteins, focusing on their role in pyroptosis, a form of programmed cell death, and their potential as therapeutic targets. The study details the mechanisms of GSDM activation, including proteolytic cleavage and post-translational modifications, which lead to the formation of pores in cell membranes. These pores disrupt cellular homeostasis, causing cell swelling and eventual lysis, and release pro-inflammatory cytokines. The research highlights various GSDM family members, such as GSDMD, GSDMA, GSDMB, GSDMC, and GSDME, each with distinct activation pathways and functions in different tissues and disease contexts. For instance, GSDMD is activated by inflammasomes and caspases, while GSDMB is primarily activated by Granzyme A in adaptive immunity. The study also explores non-canonical activation pathways and the involvement of other proteins like Ninjurin-1 (NINJ1) in cell rupture. Furthermore, it discusses how post-translational modifications, suc...

Novo Nordisk Foundation Commits $53 Million to Broad Institute for Genomic Research on Metabolic Diseases

Novo Nordisk Foundation Commits $53 Million to Broad Institute for Genomic Research on Metabolic Diseases

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has announced a $53 million commitment to renew and expand the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease at the Broad Institute. This funding aims to scale up transatlantic efforts to understand the biological mechanisms driving type 2 diabetes and obesity. The Center, led by managing director Kasper Lage, will utilize massive-scale data generation, artificial intelligence, and advanced cellular models to identify new targets for potential therapies. Since its launch in 2021 with an initial grant of $47.5 million, the Center has fostered collaborations across 18 research groups and over 120 scientists, hosting more than 37 Danish researchers through an exchange program. This initiative has positioned the Center as a global leader in mapping how genetic variants contribute to metabolic diseases, developing comprehensive cellular and genomic resources, scalable technologies for variant-to-function research, and advanced tools for large-scale genetic discover...

Nicklaus Children’s Health System Expands Pediatric Oncology Research and Precision Medicine Efforts

Nicklaus Children’s Health System Expands Pediatric Oncology Research and Precision Medicine Efforts

Nicklaus Children’s Health System is significantly expanding its research capabilities and precision medicine efforts in pediatric oncology. The Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute at Nicklaus Children’s received a $7.5 million appropriation from the State of Florida through the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator Fund in 2025. This investment aims to enhance clinical trial capabilities and strengthen the infrastructure to connect more Florida children with advanced treatment options. A major focus is the development of an early-phase pediatric oncology program to expand first-in-child and Phase I/II clinical trials, particularly crucial for children with relapsed, refractory, or rare cancers. The system is also integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and microbiome research with drug-sensitivity testing to provide individualized understandings of both the child and the cancer, informing medication selection and dosing. This builds on research by Dr. Maggie Fader,...

Nicklaus Children's Health System Expands Pediatric Oncology Research with Focus on Precision Medicine

Nicklaus Children's Health System Expands Pediatric Oncology Research with Focus on Precision Medicine

Nicklaus Children’s Health System, through its Helen & Jacob Shaham Cancer & Blood Disorders Institute, is significantly expanding its research capabilities in pediatric oncology. This initiative aims to connect children with cancer to treatments informed by the biology of their disease. The health system is broadening its precision medicine efforts by integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and microbiome research. Additionally, drug-sensitivity testing is being utilized to assess individual tumor responses to potential therapies. These combined approaches provide a more individualized understanding of both the child and the cancer, which helps in selecting medications and determining dosages, thereby supporting treatment decisions. The institute is also developing an early-phase pediatric oncology program to enhance first-in-child and Phase I/II clinical trial capabilities, particularly for children with relapsed or refractory diseases and rare cancers where established treatment options are l...

Spatial Transcriptomics Advances Esophageal Cancer Research, Identifying Radioresistance Genes at Tumor Edge

Spatial Transcriptomics Advances Esophageal Cancer Research, Identifying Radioresistance Genes at Tumor Edge

A joint research team, including members from Seoul National University Hospital, has utilized spatial transcriptomics to analyze esophageal cancer tissue from 56 patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy and esophagectomy between 2005 and 2022. This technique allows for the measurement of gene activity while maintaining the positional information within the tissue. The study revealed that genetic activity varies significantly depending on the location within the same tumor tissue. Specifically, gene groups associated with resistance to radiation, such as the ΔNp63/NRF2 gene group, were found to be most active at the 'tumor edge' and least active at the 'stromal boundary.' The researchers divided residual esophageal cancer tissue into eight regions based on location and characteristics, identifying five key regions present in at least 10 patients: the tumor edge, fibrous-immune region, stromal boundary, mucosal transition zone, and stress response region. The 'fibrous-immune region' constituted the largest ...

Tempus AI Seeks Computational Biologist for Pharma R in Boston

Tempus AI Seeks Computational Biologist for Pharma R in Boston

Tempus AI Seeks Computational Biologist for Pharma R in Boston

Stony Brook University Researchers Identify Neural Pathway Linked to OCD-like Behaviors

Stony Brook University Researchers Identify Neural Pathway Linked to OCD-like Behaviors

A research team at Stony Brook University has identified a previously little-observed neural pathway that may be crucial to understanding obsessive-compulsive behavior. The study, published in the science journal Neuron, found a direct connection between the amygdala, which processes fear and anxiety, and the dorsolateral striatum, a brain region involved in habit formation. By repeatedly activating this pathway in laboratory mice, researchers were able to induce OCD-like grooming behaviors. Conversely, inhibiting the amygdala's activity in mice engineered to exhibit these behaviors helped moderate them. This discovery offers a new perspective on the neurological underpinnings of OCD, a disorder affecting millions of Americans. The research utilized various 'circuit-tracing' methods to observe brain activity in mice, whose genes and brain anatomy share similarities with humans.

Profluent Partners with BioMarin to Design Novel Medicines Using AI for Genetically Defined Conditions

Profluent Partners with BioMarin to Design Novel Medicines Using AI for Genetically Defined Conditions

Profluent, an AI lab specializing in biology, has announced a collaboration with BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc. to design and optimize novel enzyme therapies. This partnership aims to advance next-generation candidates for genetically defined conditions. Profluent will leverage its proprietary protein language models, which utilize the Profluent Protein Atlas—the world's largest protein sequence dataset with over 115 billion unique sequences—to generate and optimize enzyme candidates. BioMarin will then screen these AI-designed proteins to identify potential drug candidates with desired activity and stability profiles for further evaluation and preclinical testing. This collaboration combines Profluent's advanced AI models for de novo protein design with BioMarin's extensive expertise in enzyme replacement therapies.

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Allocates $50,000 for Early Research Endeavors, Including Comparative Oncology

Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine Allocates $50,000 for Early Research Endeavors, Including Comparative Oncology

The Office of Research at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University has dedicated $50,000 to a new voucher program aimed at supporting early research endeavors for its faculty. This initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Cheryl London, associate dean for research and Anne Engen and Dusty Professor in Comparative Oncology, and Dr. Heather Gardner, Usen Family Career Development Professor, provides funds for researchers to generate pilot data using the Comparative Pathology and Genomics Shared Resource (CPGSR). The program was conceived to address a challenging funding climate and enable faculty to gather preliminary data crucial for future research proposals. Within two months of its conception, the pilot program launched, awarding 10 grants to faculty members, with all projects already underway at CPGSR. Faculty from various research areas, including pathology and genomic studies, submitted proposals detailing how the generated data would accelerate their work. Each awarded project received up to ...