Israeli Researchers Unveil New Method to Assess Key Gene Activity in the Brain
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Synopsis
Israeli researchers have introduced an innovative method for measuring the activity of a crucial cell-division gene in the brain. This advancement, reported by Tel Aviv University, is expected to improve the understanding of cellular growth, potentially leading to new treatments for serious conditions like cancer and autism.
Key Takeaways
- New method measures critical gene activity in the brain.
- Research published in Nature Methods.
- Findings could lead to treatments for cancer and autism.
- PTEN gene crucial for cell growth regulation.
- Technology may enable personalized therapeutics.
Jerusalem, Feb 25 (NationPress) Researchers from Israel have unveiled a groundbreaking technique for measuring the activity of a vital cell-division gene within the brain, as announced by Tel Aviv University on Tuesday.
This significant advancement, detailed in Nature Methods, has the potential to enhance scientific understanding of cellular growth and division mechanisms, paving the way for new treatments for conditions like cancer, autism, epilepsy, and other serious ailments.
Human body cells continuously modify their size and division rates to respond to their surroundings, a process crucial for healthy development.
When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to diseases such as cancer, neurological, and developmental disorders. Proper regulation of cellular growth is particularly important during early brain development in the first years of life.
PTEN (Phosphatase and Tensin Homolog) is instrumental in this regulatory function, signaling cells to cease growth. This action is essential for sustaining appropriate cell size and condition.
Alterations that diminish PTEN activity have been associated with conditions such as autism, epilepsy, and cancer.
The innovative tool introduced in this study accurately measures PTEN activity with remarkable sensitivity across a range of research models, including the brains of mice, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
This cutting-edge technology, which merges advancements in genetic tools and microscopy, will empower scientists to explore why PTEN is essential for normal brain development and enhance the understanding of diseases related to PTEN.
The researchers anticipate that this novel tool will facilitate the creation of personalized therapeutic approaches by tracking PTEN activity in diverse biological environments and may assist in the early identification of diseases.
