Medical research /newsroom/taxonomy/term/11936/all en How to turn specific genes on and off /newsroom/channels/news/how-turn-specific-genes-and-334623 <p>Type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and cancer are just some of the disorders associated with specific genes not “turning on” and “turning off” as they should. By using new CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, in a recent paper in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-25991-9/metrics"><i>Nature Communications</i></a><i>, </i>ϲ University researchers have described a new technique that scientists across the world can potentially use to explore novel ways of treating diseases associated with dysregulation in DNA methylation.</p> Fri, 05 Nov 2021 20:55:30 +0000 katherine.gombay@mcgill.ca 283400 at /newsroom Better understanding of nature’s nanomachines may help in design of future drugs /newsroom/channels/news/better-understanding-natures-nanomachines-may-help-design-future-drugs-321979 <p>Many of the drugs and medicines that we rely on today are natural products taken from microbes like bacteria and fungi. Within these microbes, the drugs are made by tiny natural machines – mega-enzymes known as nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs). A research team led by ϲ University has gained a better understanding of the structures of NRPSs and the processes by which they work.</p> Thu, 30 Apr 2020 14:15:11 +0000 katherine.gombay@mcgill.ca 209636 at /newsroom Promising advance in depression research /newsroom/channels/news/promising-advance-depression-research-321494 <p>Depression is a common psychiatric disorder and one of the leading causes of disability worldwide. Antidepressants are the first-line treatment for moderate to severe major depressive episodes. Despite their effectiveness, only 40% of patients respond to the first antidepressant they try. A recent paper in <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-15423-5">Nature Communication</a> strongly suggests that a particular protein, GPR56, is involved in the biology of depression and the effect of antidepressants.</p> Tue, 07 Apr 2020 16:20:23 +0000 amelia.souffrant@mail.mcgill.ca 207065 at /newsroom Most comprehensive map of cancer genome to date /newsroom/channels/news/most-comprehensive-map-cancer-genome-date-319734 <p>An international team, that includes researchers from ϲ, has completed the most comprehensive study of whole cancer genomes to date, significantly improving our fundamental understanding of cancer and signposting new directions for its diagnosis and treatment.</p> Wed, 05 Feb 2020 13:19:51 +0000 amelia.souffrant@mail.mcgill.ca 198414 at /newsroom