Toggle light / dark theme

New Understanding of BRCA2 Mutation-Driven Mechanism Could Inform Anti-Cancer Drug Development

Inherited mutations in the gene BRCA2 significantly increase the risk of carriers to breast and ovarian cancers. BRCA2, a crucial player in the body’s DNA repair system, aids in repairing damaged DNA. This function is particularly intriguing as our cells constantly divide and replicate, passing on any genetic damage to newly developing cells.

Because of its significant role in maintaining genetic stability, BRCA2 belongs to a class of genes known as tumor suppressors. These genes code for proteins that control how often cells divide. However, when a tumor suppressor gene, such as BRCA2, undergoes a mutational change, the protein it codes for won’t function normally, resulting in uncontrolled cell division and, in some circumstances, cancer development.

BRCA2 predisposes carriers to cancer and research has shown that BRCA2-deficient tumors respond to therapies known as PARP inhibitors, which block the function of the poly ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) protein. PARP1 becomes activated in tumors with BRCA2 mutations, resulting in the continued abnormal growth of damaged DNA.

Quantum simulation captures light-driven chemical changes in real molecules for the first time

Researchers at the University of Sydney have successfully performed a quantum simulation of chemical dynamics with real molecules for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the application of quantum computing to chemistry and medicine.

Understanding in real time how atoms interact to form new compounds or interact with light has long been expected as a potential application of quantum technology. Now, quantum chemist Professor Ivan Kassal and Physics Horizon Fellow Dr. Tingrei Tan have shown it is possible using a quantum machine at the University of Sydney.

The innovative work leverages a novel, highly resource-efficient encoding scheme implemented on a trapped-ion quantum computer in the University of Sydney Nanoscience Hub, with implications that could help transform medicine, energy and materials science.

Zinc-transporting protein contributes to aggressive growth of brain tumor

In a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), the researchers detail their discoveries about why the brain tumor glioblastoma is so aggressive. Their findings center on ZIP4, a protein that transports zinc throughout the body and sets off a cascade of events that drive tumor growth.

About half of all malignant brain tumors are glioblastomas, the deadliest form of brain cancer with a median survival rate of 14 months.

“Surgery for glioblastoma is very challenging, and patients almost always experience a relapse,” said the study’s senior author. “By better understanding why these brain tumors are so aggressive, we hope to open up paths for new treatments.”

Gemini 2.5 Pro Could Be the Reasoning Breakthrough AI Needed

Is Gemini 2.5 Pro the AI breakthrough that will redefine machine intelligence? Google’s latest innovation promises to solve one of AI’s biggest hurdles: true reasoning. Unlike chatbots that regurgitate data, Gemini 2.5 Pro mimics human-like logic, connecting concepts, spotting flaws, and making decisions with unprecedented depth. This isn’t an upgrade—it’s a revolution in how machines think.

What makes Gemini 2.5 Pro unique? Built on a hybrid neural-symbolic architecture, it merges brute-force data processing with structured reasoning frameworks. Early tests show it outperforms GPT-4 and Claude 3 in complex tasks like legal analysis, medical diagnostics, and ethical dilemma navigation. We’ll break down its secret sauce: adaptive learning loops, context-aware problem-solving, and self-correcting logic that learns from mistakes in real time.

How will this impact you? Developers can build AI that understands instead of just parroting, businesses can automate high-stakes decisions, and educators might finally have a tool to teach critical thinking. But there’s a catch: Gemini 2.5 Pro’s \.

Coming to a Brain Near You: A Tiny Computer

Brain-computer interfaces are already letting people with paralysis control computers and communicate their needs, and will soon enable them to manipulate prosthetic limbs without moving a muscle.

The year ahead is pivotal for the companies behind this technology.

Fewer than 100 people to date have had brain-computer interfaces permanently installed. In the next 12 months, that number will more than double, provided the companies with new FDA experimental-use approval meet their goals in clinical trials. Apple this week announced its intention to allow these implants to control iPhones and other products.

Emerging non-viral vectors for gene delivery

The development of COVID-19 vaccines has sparked widespread interest. mRNA-based therapies are rapidly gaining attention owing to their unique advantages in quickly developing vaccines and immunotherapy for various ailments [1, 2]. Given that most human diseases stem from genetic factors, gene therapy represents a promising modality for addressing various inherited or acquired disorders by replacing faulty genes or silencing genes [3]. Gene therapy encompasses the targeted exploitation of genetic material, which includes gene replacement through DNA or mRNA [4, 5]; gene silencing utilizing siRNA or miRNA [6], and CRISPR-Cas9 based gene editing [7].

However, achieving safe and efficient gene delivery to specific cells requires overcoming multiple biological barriers, including extracellular obstacles such as enzyme degradation, serum protein interactions, electrostatic repulsion of genes and cell membranes, and innate immune system, as well as intracellular obstacles such as endosomal escape, transport barriers, precise release [8]. Therefore, gene vectors require several characteristics such as high gene condensation; favorable serum stability to avoid non-specific serum protein interactions, endonuclease degradation, and renal clearance; achieved specific targeting cell or tissues; effective transport into the cytoplasm thereby facilitating gene transfection (mRNA, siRNA and miRNA); precise gene release and scheduling, and nuclear localization that enables DNA transcription. Comprehensive exploration of transfection mechanisms can aid in the development of high-performance gene vectors [9, 10].

Gene vectors generally include viral vectors and non-viral vectors. Presently, approximately 70% of clinical gene therapy trials employ viral vectors, which include retroviruses, lentiviruses, adenoviruses, and adeno-associated viruses. Due to their exceptional infectivity, virus-based vectors typically exhibit excellent gene transfection capabilities. However, the clinical safety of viral vectors has been questioned due to their propensity to stimulate immunogenic reactions and induce transgene insertion mutations. Moreover, viral vectors possess several limitations, including low gene loading capacity, inability to deliver large-sized genes, complicated preparation procedures, and the patient cannot be repeatedly administered [4]. In contrast, non-viral vectors, particularly lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and cationic polymers, have demonstrated robust gene loading capacity, heigh safety and practicability, simplicity preparation [10, 11]. Consequently, non-viral vectors are exhibiting tremendous potential for further clinical development and application. Our review primarily highlights the significant potential of non-viral vectors, particularly lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), highly branched poly(β-amino ester) (HPAE), single-chain cyclic polymer (SCKP), poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, and polyethyleneimine (PEI). We intend to provide a detailed examination of the latest research progress and existing limitations of non-viral gene vectors over recent years.

/* */