Lifeboat Foundation

An MIT study suggests 3D folding of the genome is key to cells’ ability to store and pass on “memories” of which genes they should express.

Every cell in the human body contains the same genetic instructions, encoded in its DNA. However, out of about 30,000 genes, each cell expresses only those genes that it needs to become a nerve cell, immune cell, or any of the other hundreds of cell types in the body.

Each cell’s fate is largely determined by chemical modifications to the proteins that decorate its DNA; these modification in turn control which genes get turned on or off. When cells copy their DNA to divide, however, they lose half of these modifications, leaving the question: How do cells maintain the memory of what kind of cell they are supposed to be?

Continue reading “How cell identity is preserved when cells divide” »

Biotech company Teal Omics founded after researchers develop algorithm that measures how fast individual organs are aging.

Researchers at the Hubrecht Institute have laid the foundation for the development of a gene therapy for the genetic heart disease arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM). Their approach, based on replacement of the PKP2 gene, led to significant structural and functional improvements in laboratory models of the disease.

The study by the group of Eva van Rooij was published on 7 December 2023 in Nature Cardiovascular Research. Multiple clinical trials will start in 2024 in the United States to explore the clinical potential of this approach in ACM patients with PKP2 mutations.

ACM is a genetic heart disease that affects 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 5,000 people worldwide. It is characterized by arrhythmias and can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. Current treatment of the disease usually consists of antiarrhythmic drugs and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs), which are focused solely on treating the symptoms rather than targeting the root of the problem.

Summary: Blue Origin, the aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded by Jeff Bezos, recently introduced its innovative spacecraft platform named Blue Ring. This announcement marks a significant milestone in Blue Origin’s endeavor to offer flexible and scalable solutions for a variety of space missions. Blue Ring aims to provide a standardized yet customizable foundation for diverse payloads, scientific missions, and potential crewed flights, representing a leap forward in space technology and exploration.

Introduction The space industry has been undergoing a radical transformation with private companies like Blue Origin at the forefront of pioneering advanced technologies and offering new opportunities for space exploration and utilization. The introduction of Blue Ring is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and its vision of enabling a future where millions of people are living and working in space.

The Blue Ring Platform: A Game-Changer for Space Exploration The Blue Ring platform is designed to be a multifaceted system capable of supporting various space missions. Its versatility comes from the ability to host multiple payloads and configurations, catering to a range of objectives from scientific research to commercial enterprises. The concept emphasizes scalability, where the platform can be adapted to different sizes and mission requirements without the need for extensive redesign.

Wednesday night, SpaceX announced Starlink high-speed internet is now available in Honduras, expanding its sizable service footprint across the Western Hemisphere.

Hours later, SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 23 more Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

The late-night Falcon 9 soared off Launch Complex 40 at 12:07 a.m. EST Thursday, extending the ongoing record of annual orbital launches from the Space Coast to 68 — with another 24 days remaining in December.

Toyota’s chairman, who’s long resisted EV hype despite pressure, is feeling vindicated, with hybrid sales surging this year.

Is our media infrastructure really in the hands of private companies, or do intelligence agencies have an outsized influence on the news we read? Whether you…

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When it comes to nightmare scenarios for the United States, a nuclear attack from a foreign power has to rank among the worst possible choices. While the likelihood of such a strike is low, that does not stop experts from trying to prepare for any possibility. A story by Business Insider lists the following six cities as the most likely to be at risk in the vent of a future nuclear attack on the United States:

1) Chicago, Illinois.

2) Houston, Texas