2019-04-15

PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway alterations promote malignant progression and xenograft formation in oligodendroglial tumors

Oligodendroglioma (OD) has a relatively favorable prognosis, however, often undergoes malignant progression. We hypothesized that preclinical models of OD could facilitate identification of therapeutic targets in progressive OD. We established multiple OD xenografts to determine if PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway drives tumor progression.
2019-01-02

A stigmatic gene confers interspecies incompatibility in the Brassicaceae

Pre-zygotic interspecies incompatibility in angiosperms is a male–female relationship that inhibits the formation of hybrids between two species. Here, we report on the identification of STIGMATIC PRIVACY 1 (SPRI1), an interspecies barrier gene in Arabidopsis thaliana. We show that the rejection activity of this stigma-specific plasma membrane protein is effective against distantly related Brassicaceae pollen tubes and is independent of self-incompatibility.
2018-05-09

Self-Condensation Culture Enables Vascularization of Tissue Fragments for Efficient Therapeutic Transplantation

Clinical transplantation of tissue fragments, including islets, faces a critical challenge because of a lack of effective strategies that ensure efficient engraftment through the timely integration of vascular networks. We recently developed a complex organoid engineering method by “self-condensation” culture based on mesenchymal cell-dependent contraction, thereby enabling dissociated heterotypic lineages including endothelial cells to self-organize in a spatiotemporal manner.
2018-04-13

De Novo Hotspot Variants in CYFIP2 Cause Early-Onset Epileptic Encephalopathy

The cytoplasmic fragile X mental retardation 1 interacting proteins 2 (CYFIP2) is a component of the WAVE regulatory complex, which is involved in actin dynamics.