Latest Cilium Stories

U.S. scientists say they've determined the most common childhood brain tumor is linked to tiny cell filaments once dismissed as vestiges of evolution. The University of California-San Francisco scientists discovered the crucial role of the filaments, called primary cilia, by examining malignant human and mouse brain tumors classified as medulloblastomas. These findings are very exciting, said Professor Arturo Alvarez-Buylla, senior author of the study. He noted cilia have recently been shown...

U.S.-led researchers have discovered a connection between mutations in the INPP5E gene and ciliopathies, a newly emerging group of diseases. The international team of scientists, led by Dr. Joseph Gleeson, a professor at the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine, said the findings might lead to new therapies for the diseases that are caused by defects in the function or structure of cellular primary cilia, which are small cellular appendages of previously unknown function....

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, have discovered a connection between mutations in the INPP5E gene and ciliopathies. Their findings, which may lead to new therapies for these diseases, will appear in the online edition of Nature Genetics on August 9.Ciliopathies are a newly emerging group of diseases caused by defects in the function or structure of cellular primary cilia, which are small, cellular...

In the September 1st issue of G&D, Dr. Karen Oegema (UCSD) and colleagues identify the molecular basis of the lethal developmental disorder, hydrolethalus syndrome, and reveal that hydrolethalus syndrome actually belongs to the emerging class of human ciliopathy diseases."5 years ago a human genetics study linked Hydrolethalus syndrome to a mutation in a protein named HYLS1. Since this discovery the function of HYLS1 has remained unknown. Our work solves this mystery, showing that...

The same mechanism that helps you detect bad-tasting and potentially poisonous foods may also play a role in protecting your airway from harmful substances, according to a study by scientists at the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. The findings could help explain why injured lungs are susceptible to further damage.The study, published online July 23 in Science Express, shows that receptors for bitter compounds that are found in taste buds on the tongue also...

Striking high-speed footage shows 2 patterns of flagellar coordinationUsing high-speed cinematography, scientists at Cambridge University have discovered that individual algal cells can regulate the beating of their flagella in and out of synchrony in a manner that controls their swimming trajectories. Their research was published on the 24th July in the journal Science.The researchers studied the unicellular organism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, which has two hair-like appendages known as...

The equipment used for biomedical research is shrinking, but the physical properties of the fluids under investigation are not changing. This creates a problem: the reservoirs that hold the liquid are now so small that forces between molecules on the liquid's surface dominate, and one can no longer shake the container to mix two fluids. Instead, researchers must bide their time and wait for diffusion to occur.Scientists at the University of Washington hope to speed up biomedical reactions by...

The mystery of genetic disease is only partially solved with the identification of a mutated gene. Often, the pattern of disease "“ the features or disorders associated with it "“ vary in type and severity among those who are affected. Scientists, physicians and patients all ask why.In this week's journal Nature Genetics, an international consortium of researchers, including some from Baylor College of Medicine, provide not only an explanation for the variations of vision loss in people...

There is no vaccine to prevent swine flu disease, but a U.S. doctor says there are simple ways to help reduce risk of all infections including influenza. Most flus enter our body through our noses, and the organ in our nose that is critical to fighting infection is the nasal cilia, Dr. Murray Grossan, author of Free Yourself from Sinus and Allergy Problems. If you take care of your cilia, and take steps to enhance their ability to ward off infection, you can increase your immune response...

UCLA study offers new clues for treatment of vertigo, hearing problemsA UCLA study shows for the first time how microscopic crystals form sound and gravity sensors inside the inner ear. Located at the ends of cilia "” tiny cellular hairs in the ear that move and transmit signals "” these crystals play an important role in detecting sound, maintaining balance and regulating movement.Dislodged ear crystals are to blame for the most common form of vertigo. Known as benign paroxysmal...