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From burnout to endurance: Coaching immune cells to go the distance

The immune system is a marathon, not a sprint.

New research reveals stem-like T cells that help fight disease longer—a breakthrough for cancer treatments and vaccines. Discover more via Pursuit → unimelb.me/3EnoujK


It’s a reminder that, much like training for a race, scientific discovery demands persistence, teamwork and a clear goal.

While more work is needed to translate these findings into real-world applications, harnessing the unique strengths of stem-like T cells and their regulation paves the way for innovative treatments that could redefine how we tackle chronic diseases and cancer.

This study is a collaborative effort between the Doherty Institute, the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, La Trobe University, Northwestern University (USA), the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute, the University of Birmingham (UK) and the University of Melbourne.

BIOTECHNOLOGY in the Future: 2050 (Artificial Biology)

Biopunk androids replicants.


What happens when humans begin combining biology with technology, harnessing the power to recode life itself.

What does the future of biotechnology and genetic engineering look like? How will humans program biology to create organ farm technology and bio-robots. And what happens when companies begin investing in advanced bio-printing, artificial wombs, and cybernetic prosthetic limbs.

Other topic include: bioengineered food and farming, bio-printing in space, new age living bioarchitecture (eco concrete inspired by coral reefs), bioengineered bioluminescence, cyberpunks and biopunks who experiment underground — creating new age food and pets, the future of bionics, corporations owning bionic limbs, the multi-trillion dollar industry of bio-robots, and bioengineered humans with super powers (Neo-Humans).

As well as the future of biomedical engineering, biochemistry, and biodiversity.

Recirculating regulatory T cells mediate thymic regeneration through amphiregulin following damage

Thymic injury leads to reduced T cell production and makes patients more vulnerable to infections and cancers. Lemarquis et al. identify a population of recirculating regulatory T (Treg) cells that mediate regeneration in the injured thymus, partially through amphiregulin. An analogous population of Treg cells expressing CD39 and ICOS is found in humans, suggesting therapeutic avenues for boosting thymic regeneration to address aging-and treatment-induced immunosuppression.

Inside Google DeepMind’s Bold Vision for ‘Virtual Cell’

“Let’s say a certain protein is expressed very highly in a cell. But when you actually look at it and see it, all of it is localised at the tip of the neuron where something very specific is happening,” he added.

Hassabis also stated that this could be crucial for understanding how a cell reacts to the injection of a specific nutrient or drug. At present, this process is carried out ‘painstakingly’ in a laboratory, but according to him, this project would enable researchers to perform it a million times faster and at a lower cost.

However, he noted that a laboratory would still be required as a final step to validate the predictions and conduct clinical trials to assess the efficacy of the research. Hassabis mentioned that the virtual cell project may materialise within five years from now.

Study Reveals Light Exercise Slashes Cancer Progression Risks

Findings indicate that even modest levels of physical activity can be beneficial. Engaging in regular physical activity prior to a cancer diagnosis may reduce the risk of both disease progression and mortality, according to research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Notably, even modest levels of physical activity appear to offer significant benefits, the study suggests.

Scientists May Have Found Traces of an Extinct Genetic Code That Came Before DNA

“ tabindex=”0” amino acids and incorporated sulfur-based compounds much earlier than previously thought. This challenges long-standing experiments and opens the door to the possibility that extinct genetic codes existed before ours.

Cracking the Code of Life’s Origins

Despite awe-inspiring diversity, nearly all life on Earth — from tiny bacteria to massive blue whales — shares the same genetic code. But exactly how and when this code emerged remains a topic of scientific debate.

Revolutionary Biology Discovery Combines DNA and RNA To Fight Cancer

A study reveals DNA

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule composed of two long strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. It is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms that carries genetic instructions for development, functioning, growth, and reproduction. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).