Homeostasis

Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (JPA) Studies Find Promising Drug Candidates

Retrieved on: 
Friday, March 29, 2024

XI'AN, China, March 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Understanding the underlying mechanisms of normal and pathological cellular processes is essential for developing new drugs. Fortunately, modern techniques and experimental methods have greatly accelerated progress. The latest issue of JPA features three articles in which candidate compounds for treating complex disorders were successfully identified, alongside their detailed mechanisms of action.

Key Points: 
  • The first study investigated the use of metformin (Met), a drug used to manage type II diabetes, for treating benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).
  • The article was published in Volume 14, Issue 1 of the journal in January 2024 .
  • Using the Drug Signatures Database, they identified hydralazine (HYD), a potent arterial vasodilator, as a potential UBA52 disruptor.
  • Further studies will hopefully clarify the intricate connections among cellular processes, diseases, and potential drugs, paving the way for precise and efficient therapies.

World's first field-installed, clinically approved parallel transmit 7T MRI scanner resides at Auburn University

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Additionally, with dedicated radiofrequency sodium imaging coils and parallel transmit technology, the scanner offers expanded imaging capabilities.

Key Points: 
  • Additionally, with dedicated radiofrequency sodium imaging coils and parallel transmit technology, the scanner offers expanded imaging capabilities.
  • These areas represent an intersection between the needs of the MRI research community, particularly in 7T imaging, and existing expertise and strengths of Auburn University.
  • A stark difference between the old and new 7T scanners involve parallel transmit technology and sodium imaging capability.
  • "If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have the 7T, and we are indebted to them for their dedication and commitment to Auburn.

Gut bacteria and the immune system: How aging changes the microbiome and can lead to ‘inflammaging’

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Research has shown that changes to the composition and diversity of the microorganisms in the gut may explain these differences in immune system aging.

Key Points: 
  • Research has shown that changes to the composition and diversity of the microorganisms in the gut may explain these differences in immune system aging.
  • However, as the composition of our gut microbiome changes with age, a low level of inflammation can become constant throughout the body.
  • Let’s take a closer look at the gut microbiome and how it changes with age.

Gut microbiome imbalances in older adults

  • In fact, compared to other parts of the body, the gut microbiome has the largest number of bacteria.
  • In a healthy gut microbiome, there are four dominant families (or phyla) of microorganisms, including Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria.
  • Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes make up around 80 to 90 per cent of the gut microbiota in the digestive tract.
  • Over time, the shortage of beneficial bacteria such as Firmicutes in older adults starts to compromise the integrity of their intestinal barrier, causing it to become leaky.

How inflammaging works

  • Inflammaging creates an environment that is prone to inflammation, which is caused and maintained by several factors.
  • These can include microorganism imbalances in the intestines (microbial dysbiosis), psychological stress, physical inactivity, poor nutrition and chronic infections.

Maintaining a healthy balance of gut microbiota

  • More specifically, probiotics help improve the function of the intestinal barrier and regulate immune responses by modifying the composition of the gut microbiome.
  • It is clear that the immune system has an intricate relationship with the gut microbiome.
  • A healthy and well-balanced gut microbiome will strengthen the intestinal barrier, which helps to reduce inflammation throughout the body and support the immune system.
  • To achieve this, it is important to maintain a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle as we grow older.


Narveen Jandu does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Ocugen to Present at Investing in Cures Summit

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 6, 2024

MALVERN, Pa., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, announced that Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ocugen will be a panelist at the Investing in Cures Summit 2024 from March 8-9, 2024 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.

Key Points: 
  • MALVERN, Pa., March 06, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ocugen, Inc. (Ocugen or the Company) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, announced that Dr. Shankar Musunuri, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Ocugen will be a panelist at the Investing in Cures Summit 2024 from March 8-9, 2024 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.
  • “I look forward to joining my peers in discussing therapeutic approaches to treat inherited retinal diseases that can help slow or reverse degeneration regardless of the underlying genetic cause,” said Dr. Musunuri.
  • “Ocugen’s modifier gene therapy platform can potentially address multiple genetic defects with a single product utilizing a gene agnostic approach that restores homeostasis in the retina.”
    The Investing in Cures Summit includes presentations by the world’s leading industry, clinical and retinal science innovators and is hosted by the Foundation Fighting Blindness and the RD Fund.
  • Details for the panel are as follows:

GRI Bio Receives MHRA Authorization to Conduct Phase 2a Biomarker Study Evaluating GRI-0621 in the United Kingdom

Retrieved on: 
Monday, March 4, 2024

LA JOLLA, CA, March 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GRI Bio, Inc. (NASDAQ: GRI) (“GRI Bio” or the “Company”), a biotechnology company advancing an innovative pipeline of Natural Killer T (“NKT”) cell modulators for the treatment of inflammatory, fibrotic and autoimmune diseases, today announced the authorization of its Clinical Trial Application (CTA) by the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to initiate a Phase 2a biomarker study evaluating GRI-0621 for the treatment of IPF in the UK.

Key Points: 
  • The MHRA is the UK regulatory authority, a government agency, for medicines and medical devices.
  • The MHRA is responsible for the regulation of medicines and medical devices and equipment used in healthcare and the investigation of harmful incidents.
  • “We are pleased to receive authorization from the MHRA and take a step in the global expansion of our clinical development for GRI-0621.
  • We are focused on driving this program forward and generating important data readouts this year,” Marc Hertz, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GRI Bio.

Amorepacific Announces Positive Research Results of Fermented Ginseng in Skin Lymphatic Activation

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific, in collaboration with the School of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, has unveiled groundbreaking research demonstrating the impact of lymphatic activation on skin health and the potential skin lymphatic improvement through fermented ginseng ingredients. This research, introducing new possibilities for skin aging and homeostasis maintenance using Lab-on-a-chip technology, was published in 'NPG Asia Materials,' an international journal by the scientific journal Nature. (Paper Title: The advanced 3D lymphatic system for assaying the human cutaneous lymphangiogenesis in the microfluidic platform)

Key Points: 
  • SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific, in collaboration with the School of Mechanical Engineering at Korea University, has unveiled groundbreaking research demonstrating the impact of lymphatic activation on skin health and the potential skin lymphatic improvement through fermented ginseng ingredients.
  • In this research, they cultivated human-derived skin cells and 3D lymphatic forming cells under optimal conditions to create a Skin-Lymph-on-a-chip.
  • This enabled the replication of networks between human skin and lymphatic vessels, visually observing the impact of substances applied to the skin on lymphatic formation and activity.
  • The joint research team concluded that Lymphanax™ aids in forming healthy lymphatic vessels within the skin and strengthens the skin barrier through additional analysis, including AI algorithms.

New Publication in Nature Medicine Supports Therapeutic Potential of Senolytics to Provide Long-lasting, Disease-modifying Intervention in Vision Loss

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 6, 2024

Sustained hyperglycemia from diabetes induces cellular senescence which damages the retina, including the delicate vasculature in the eye.

Key Points: 
  • Sustained hyperglycemia from diabetes induces cellular senescence which damages the retina, including the delicate vasculature in the eye.
  • This can lead to fluid accumulation and retinal thickening – a key feature of DME.
  • They demonstrated that these senescent cells contribute to loss of barrier function, which can cause leaky blood vessels.
  • This research further supports the potential for senolytic medicines to address the significant unmet need with current standard of care.”

Generation Lab Emerges from Stealth with Funding Round and Mission to Extend the Human Healthspan – Waitlist for Its Clinically Driven At-Home Aging Test + Personalized Aging Intervention Opens Today

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

The company works with clinicians who can recommend personalized interventions, and Generation Lab can measure the effectiveness of these over time.

Key Points: 
  • The company works with clinicians who can recommend personalized interventions, and Generation Lab can measure the effectiveness of these over time.
  • These diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and place a significant burden on our healthcare system.
  • Moreover, the biological age is quantified by Generation Lab for each function of the body: inflammation, regeneration, homeostasis, reproduction, etc.
  • After subsequent Generation Lab tests, your clinician can review how effective each intervention was and its impact on your health and rate of aging.

Nathaniel A. Dyment, PhD, Presented With 2024 Kappa Delta Young Investigator Award for Research on Formation, Maintenance and Repair of Tendons and Ligaments

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 2, 2024

The award recognizes outstanding clinical research related to musculoskeletal disease or injury by investigators under 40 years old.

Key Points: 
  • The award recognizes outstanding clinical research related to musculoskeletal disease or injury by investigators under 40 years old.
  • Unfortunately, clinicians and researchers lack biological benchmarks to assess the repairs of these tissues, hampering the development of new therapies.
  • "Therefore, the development of treatments to successfully repair or regenerate tendons is very difficult.
  • The degeneration that is happening in tendons can take decades to develop, making successful treatment of these injuries a big challenge.

Collaborative Research Aiming to Test Cooling Effect of Activewear Fabrics

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 30, 2024

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 January 2024 - Comfiknit and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have commenced a three-years collaborative research project from January 2024.

Key Points: 
  • HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 January 2024 - Comfiknit and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have commenced a three-years collaborative research project from January 2024.
  • The collaboration will aim to develop innovative strategies and design principles for optimizing heat transfer in athletic garments for athletic performance and body temperature homeostasis.
  • The results of the collaborative research is expected to develop mathematical models to explore the design space of athletic garments that could help industry develop standards of a genuine sweat-wicking and heat stroke proof running tee.
  • The research will primarily focus on enhancing athletic performance and mitigating the risk of sports injuries, especially heat exhaustion, during endurance sporting events.