Medical & Health Sciences
Dr Chi-Huey Wong | Glycoengineering for a Universal COVID-19 Vaccine
The SARS-CoV2 surface spike protein is a rational target for COVID-19 vaccination. However, spike protein glycosylation helps the virus evade the immune system, undermining vaccination efforts against newer variants. Dr Chi-Huey Wong’s group at Academia Sinica, Taiwan, is hoping to combat this by glycoengineering protein- and mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.
Dr Carolyn Fallahi | Stress and Substance Use: The Impact of COVID-19 on Sexual Minorities
Sexual minorities face unique challenges that can negatively impact their mental and physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) individuals. Dr Carolyn Fallahi and her colleagues at Central Connecticut State University have been studying the effects of minority stress on sexual minorities, particularly in the context of the pandemic. Their research sheds light on the complex relationships between minority stress, mental health symptoms, and substance use in this vulnerable population.
Dr Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh | New Hope for the Improvement of Liver Cancer Treatment: A Novel Platform for Drug Delivery
Dr Nadine Abi-Jaoudeh and Dr David Imagawa of the University of California Irvine are working with a team of researchers dedicated to improving treatment options and outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma – a serious form of cancer associated with long-term liver diseases. Their early-stage research offers important hope that in the future, effective drugs such as sorafenib and regorafenib may be utilised in trans-arterial chemoembolisation thanks to their development of a novel platform for drug delivery.
Dr Sergey Malchenko | The Mystery of Mitochondrial Transfer: Understanding Brain Tumour Development
Understanding how brain tumours grow is vital to the development of novel approaches to beat this type of cancer. In ground-breaking research, Dr Sergey Malchenko from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria, USA, has identified a cell communication phenomenon called mitochondrial transfer between particular types of brain cells. Alongside colleagues, he works to understand this process, allowing him to decipher its impact on the development of brain cancer.
Professor Rajgopal Govindarajan | The Role of CNT1 Nucleoside Transporter in Nucleotide Homeostasis
A supply of nucleotides is necessary to sustain the body’s genetic and metabolic processes. CNT1, a nucleoside transporter, is instrumental in preventing nucleoside excretion. Professor Rajgopal (Raj) Govindarajan at Ohio State University is delving into CNT1’s in vivo activity, utilising mouse models, mass spectrometry, and metabolomics tools. His research has important implications for cancer therapy.
Dr Helen Marsden | DERM: A Novel Device to Detect Skin Cancer
Skin cancer affects millions around the world and is among the most commonly occurring cancers. This global impact leads to an ever-growing demand for dermatology capacity, which is simply not available. Given that skin cancer can be treatable with high rates of survival when detected early, technology interventions are required to address the gap between demand and capacity. Dr Helen Marsden conducts vital research at Skin Analytics Ltd to demonstrate how AI can allow dermatology teams to discharge benign lesions earlier in the pathway and help prioritise patients who need to be seen or receive treatment.
Dr. David Minor | Immunotherapy Treatments for Skin Cancer Boost Long-Term Survival Rates
Immunotherapy has changed the face of cancer treatment, particularly for those suffering from advanced skin cancers. With plenty yet to be learnt in this field of medicine, Dr. David Minor and his colleagues based at the California Pacific Medical Center Research Institute and the California Pacific Center for Melanoma Research and Treatment explore the long-term impact of immunotherapy on advanced skin cancer survivors.
Dr Matthew Williams | Personality and Pain: The Role of Personality Traits in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
The interactions between body functions, mental processes, and the social environment are critical in healthcare but all too often not fully understood. For example, the field of musculoskeletal health involves treatment of the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues that support and move the body. Whilst clinicians are great at evaluating the physiological aspects of musculoskeletal problems, they often miss how an individual’s psychological factors can influence treatment outcomes. Dr Matthew Williams, at Baylor University in the USA, is pioneering the application of personality psychology to musculoskeletal intervention strategies.
Professor Ramani Ramchandran | The Fascinating Roles of Cilia in Brain Blood Vessel Vitality
Delving into the intriguing realm of brain blood vessel development and the role of specialised cells is a challenging but critical step in better understanding neuro-vascular diseases in both children and adults. Professor Ramani Ramchandran, from the Medical College of Wisconsin in the USA, investigates cilia in the brain vasculature. It turns out that these microscopic hair-like projections found on the surface of certain types of cells have a far more interesting role to play in brain health than was initially thought.
Dr Nicholas Gascoigne | Harnessing the Immune System to Tackle Cancer
In a ground-breaking stride toward accessible cancer treatments, a revolutionary method for preparing immune cells has emerged. Dr Nicholas Gascoigne from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore has helped develop an innovative approach involving T-cells, which holds the promise of transforming the landscape of cancer therapy, potentially making it more widely available and more effective.
Dr Bernie Garrett – Professor Timothy Caulfield | Revealing the Risks of Alternative Medicine
Alternative healthcare is growing in popularity, but like all healthcare, the use of such therapies is not risk-free. Dr Bernie Garrett of the University of British Colombia, Canada, works with colleague Professor Timothy Caulfield from the University of Alberta, to provide a voice of reason in the world of alternative medicine. While trying to understand what makes people choose these options, they are also shedding light on the risks associated with using such unconventional treatments.
A New Oral Vaccine Tablet Could Reshape Infectious Disease Prevention
Scientists are developing next-generation vaccines that improve protective immunity and address many of the challenges associated with administering traditional injected vaccines. Dr Sean Tucker and a team from Vaxart have developed an oral temperature-stable tablet vaccine platform that can be modified for a variety of pathogens. This vaccine tablet has a range of benefits: it can be self-administered, distributed easily without requiring ultra-low temperatures, and generates a strong immune response at barrier surfaces such as the gut, nose, and throat – the common entry points for pathogens.
Professor Richard Ludueña | βII-Tubulin in Cancer: The Potential for CRISPR-based Oncology Treatments
Tubulin has biological significance beyond just microtubules. Professor Richard Ludueña of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, has investigated the localisation of βII-tubulin in the nuclei of cancer cells. Based on his collaborators’ insights, he speculates that βII-tubulin-based CRISPR-Cas9 treatments could become a cutting-edge treatment paradigm for a variety of different cancers.
Professor Grace Spatafora – India Drummond | How Do Small Regulatory RNAs Promote Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay (known as ‘dental caries’) is a global health problem. The key pathogen is Streptococcus mutans, a hardy tooth-colonising bacterium. An overlooked factor in caries is manganese (Mn2+). India Drummond and Professor Grace Spatafora of Middlebury College are investigating the effect of Mn2+ on Streptococcus mutans traits controlled by the SloR metalloregulator and small RNAs. Their research has important implications for dental health.
Dr Ralf Adam | New Technologies Shaping the Future of Oral Hygiene
Understanding the efficiency of various toothbrush technologies is essential for achieving optimal oral health. Dr Ralf Adam, who leads a dedicated team at Procter & Gamble in Germany, is keen to investigate the complexities of these technologies. His team have provided new insights into the best toothbrush types for plaque removal and the maintenance of gum health. By highlighting the importance of informed oral care decisions and ongoing investigations, this vital research works towards ensuring everyone can achieve a brighter, healthier smile.
Dr Toby Phesse | Revealing the Mysteries of Wnt Signalling: Novel Approaches to Beating Cancer
Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, and the need for new, more effective treatments remains an urgent challenge. Dr Toby Phesse from Cardiff University in the UK focuses on the role of the Wnt receptor found on the surface of cells and its involvement with cell communication and cancer growth, bringing fresh hopes for new therapeutic options.
Dr Vijay Reddy | The Virus World Database: An Invaluable Resource for Public Health and Healthcare
Severe viral disease presents an ongoing challenge to the health of humankind. While unparalleled developments in science and technology are improving our understanding of such viruses, this information needs to be readily accessible to researchers to ensure continued progress in public health and healthcare. Dr Vijay Reddy and his colleagues at the Hormel Institute (University of Minnesota) developed the Virus World database, an invaluable resource that details the genome, structure, and host of practically every discovered virus to date.
Professor Ralf Herwig | Deciphering the Enigma of Vitamin D and the Immune System
Vitamin D has been studied as a treatment for a large number of diseases and conditions, from cancer to autism to COVID-19. However, its mode of action is not completely understood. Professor Ralf Herwig carries out his research at HG Pharma GmbH (Austria) and Ulster University (UK). His vital work explores the role of vitamin D in the body with a view to unlocking its potential as a treatment for a variety of health conditions involving the immune system.
Dr Yong Teng | Improving the Outlook for Head and Neck Cancer Patients
Dr Yong Teng at the Emory University School of Medicine is working with colleagues to overcome the high mortality of individuals diagnosed with cancers affecting the head and neck. One of his approaches is based on understanding the particular mechanisms of the ATAD3A gene, which new insights suggest are closely related to cancers affecting the head and neck.
Professor Toni Miles | Why Understanding Bereavement Matters
Professor Toni Miles has dedicated her research efforts to measuring bereavement and its impact on population health. Individual experience with bereavement is commonplace, but we know little about its impact on society when there is an instantaneous experience by a large number of individuals, i.e., mass bereavement. To measure its occurrence, her research with colleagues first confirmed that bereavement can be effectively measured in population surveys. Professor Miles argues that we should use such approaches to deliver interventions aiming to reduce the negative consequences of bereavement on individuals. By measuring bereavement in communities, these data become a cost-effective way to increase resilience, reduce demands on healthcare systems, and enhance public safety.
Dr Omar Islam | Portable Magnetic Resonance Imaging: An Important Innovation
Imaging technologies are vital in modern medicine and have revolutionised how clinicians make diagnoses and monitor disease progression. However, the necessary equipment – such as a scanner for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) – is very large and expensive, requiring patients to go to the scanner rather than receiving scans as bedside care. This takes up valuable staff time and resources, and can present further risks to patients. Dr Omar Islam from Queen’s University and Drs Aditya Bharatha and Amy Lin from the University of Toronto are showing how portable MRI scanners may offer a viable alternative that benefits patients and healthcare systems.
Dr Robert Beelman | Unlocking the Secrets to Healthy Ageing at the Nexus of Agriculture, Food Science, Nutrition and Health
Dr Robert Beelman is Professor Emeritus of Food Science and the Director of the Center for Plant and Mushroom Foods for Health at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. His groundbreaking research on the medicinal properties of mushrooms and vital nutrients like Ergothioneine has opened new pathways in understanding the link between diet, soil health, and human longevity.
Professor Danny Reinberg – Dr Gary LeRoy | Confronting a Rare and Deadly Cancer in Children
A diagnosis of cancer is never welcome but is particularly devastating when a child is found to have diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas – a rare but particularly aggressive and treatment-resistant malignancy in the brain. In this article, we focus on the contributions of Professor Danny Reinberg and Dr Gary LeRoy at the University of Miami-Miller School of Medicine to understanding what makes these tumours so dangerous and, importantly, to developing much-needed approaches to improve the outcomes for these children.
Dr Jerome Goddard | Recovery from Tick Bite: New Insights from a Recent Case Study
Dr Jerome Goddard of Mississippi State University and Dr Julie Wyatt of Wyatt Dermatology Clinic recently presented a case study of a hard tick bite trajectory over 30 days. Their work provides a detailed and novel account of the healing trajectory of an uncomplicated tick bite.
Douglas M. Bowden – Dwight C. German | How the Brain Gives Colour to Our Emotional Life
Dr Douglas Bowden (University of Washington School of Medicine) and Dr Dwight German (University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center) recently published an important study shedding new light on the role of dopamine in emotional experience. Placing their intriguing findings into the context of what was already known about dopamine and the primate brain, they proposed a new conceptual framework – the brain as a neurobehavioural control system. This extensive integration of their findings in the monkey with a wealth of neuroscientific knowledge regarding neural mechanisms of human psychological processes provides new insights into the spectrum of emotional experience.
Dr Sangya Agarwal | Improving Treatment for Blood Cancers
Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapy can be highly effective in treating different types of blood cancer, but unfortunately, it does not work for all patients. Dr Sangya Agarwal worked in Dr Carl H June’s laboratory at the Univer-sity of Pennsylvania to improve the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy to maximise the success of this personalised cancer treatment for the benefit of a greater number of patients.
Dr Chantal Thibert – Dr Sakina Torch – Dr Marc Billaud | Novel Discoveries in Neural Crest Stem Cell Development
Neural Crest Cells (NCCs) are a population of embryonic stem cells from which a wide range of cell types are generated, including those associated with the development of facial bones, skin pigmentation, and nerves. Drs Chantal Thibert, Sakina Torch, and Marc Billaud have investigated the regulation of NCC formation and differentiation at the Institute for Advanced Biosciences at the University Grenoble Alpes, describing the recently discovered underlying mechanistic processes and how this knowledge can inform the development of novel therapeutic interventions.
Evaluating Age-Related Macular Degeneration Outcomes with Novel Therapies
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a global health concern which can severely impact the quality of life(QoL) of patients. Extensive research has focussed on managing AMD, but there is a marked disparity in the treatment outcomes achieved in stringently controlled clinical trials and real-world settings. Members of the Translational Asian Age-related Macular Degeneration Program (TAAP) at the Singapore Eye Research Institute are continuing their vital work investigating the impact of different treatment regimens on patient outcomes.
Dr Joseph Butner – Dr Zhihui Wang | Creating a Mathematical Model to Help the Fight Against Cancer
Developing new ways to tackle cancer is an ongoing challenge for scientists. Recently developed immunotherapy treatments can use the patient’s own immune system against the cancer, but unfortunately, these are not effective for all patients. Dr Joseph Butner from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and Dr Zhihui Wang from the Houston Methodist Research Institute have created a mathematical model to help doctors predict patient outcomes with these treatments and, in turn, offer personalised cancer therapies.
Arthur Schwartz | Mechanistic Insights into the Therapeutic Potential of Dehydroepiandrosterone Analogues
Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is the most abundant steroid hormone in the bloodstream, although it declines significantly with age. DHEA therapeutics could have a role in the development of anti-ageing preventative medicine. Professor Emeritus Arthur Schwartz of Temple University and his colleagues at Sterotherapeutics LLC, are developing a DHEA analogue, fluasterone, which is far more potent than native DHEA and lacks DHEA’s androgenic and estrogenic side effects. Professor Schwartz is working to explain the mechanistic underpinnings of DHEA’s health benefits.
Dr Mary Lee Barron | Future-Proofing the Fertility Health of Young Adults
While the long-term health risks posed by poor lifestyle choices are widely recognised, the specific effects of modifiable and non-modifiable behaviours on reproductive health have been less well explored. Moreover, a gender-specific knowledge gap reportedly exists concerning fertility health. To investigate this, Dr Mary Lee Barron and her colleagues in the School of Nursing at Southern Illinois University, USA, utilised a survey-based evaluation tool to determine the current public fertility health knowledge level with a particular focus on university-aged males.
Dr Priya Sriskandarajah | Blood Clotting Risk in Haemato-Oncology Patients: Impact of Catheter Selection
Dr Patriann Smith, at the University of South Florida, is challenging the norms of literacy research, practice, and policy. Her mission seeks to shift literacy standards from monolingual, monoracial, and monocultural perspectives to embrace multilingual, multiracial, and multicultural diversity. She uses a transdisciplinary approach steeped in quantum physics and racialised entanglements referred to as ‘transraciolinguistics’ to redesign literacy and language practices to be more inclusive and accessible and redefine what it means to be literate. She is the author of the book, ‘Black Immigrant Literacies: Intersections of Race, Language, and Culture in the Classroom’ (2023) and Co-Founder of the RISE Caribbean Educational Research Center.