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Passive diffusion accounts for the majority of intracellular nanovesicle transport

Trafficking of proteins, lipids, and other molecules between cellular compartments is carried out by vesicular carriers. Material destined for transfer is packaged into a small trafficking vesicle at the donor compartment; the vesicle must then travel to its destination, before fusing with the target compartment to deliver the material.

Read the paper hereLink opens in a new window.

Thu 26 Oct 2023, 12:56 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

A Gourd day for a pumpkin: the health benefits of this over-looked veg

Pumpkins make their appearance every Halloween, swiftly disappearing for the next year, but scientists believe we are over-looking their health benefits. Researchers at WMS are keen to share the positive impact pumpkins can have on our health and wellbeing – which range from aiding weight loss, improving skin and even reducing risk of cancer.

Thu 26 Oct 2023, 11:10 | Tags: news

MB ChB Student Success

The latest release of UK Foundation Programme Office data from 2021 reveals that our MB ChB finalists performed very strongly in their applications to the Foundation Programme, with 98.59% being allocated to one of their top 5 choices. This was the second highest rate in the UK.

Thu 14 Sep 2023, 11:06 | Tags: news

Light up your life

Last month, the Met Office reported that July was the UK’s sixth wettest on record, and unsurprisingly the UK had 19% fewer hours of sunshine than average over the month, with 140.3 hours in total.

Researchers at Warwick Medical School say that light is the most important environmental cue for synchronising our biological clock and regulating sleep, which if interrupted can have a detrimental effect on our mood and wellbeing.

Read the full news piece

Mon 21 Aug 2023, 13:46 | Tags: news HealthSciences Research

Congratulations - Class of 2023

Our 2023 Summer Graduation took place on Thursday 20 July, celebrating the fantastic achievements of our very first cohort of undergraduate BSc Health & Medical Sciences students, our MB ChB, Master's and PhD students.

Find out more.

Wed 16 Aug 2023, 15:04 | Tags: news HealthSciences BMS Graduation

Olive oil and fresh, sun-ripened plant-based foods: the Mediterranean Diet as a winning combination for health

Dr Thomas Barber says that to promote better health within Western societies, it's essential to reshape our food culture. This means moving away from unhealthy, ultra-processed, sugar-laden, and fibre-depleted foods and gravitating towards wholesome, fibre-rich, plant-based foods reminiscent of the Mediterranean diet.

Read the press release here.

Wed 09 Aug 2023, 08:24 | Tags: news BMS BMS_newpub

Pre-T cell receptor localization and trafficking are independent of its signaling

Dr John James' lab have used a cellular reconstitution of preTCR function to investigate the trafficking dynamics of this developmentally important immune receptor, work which has just been published in the Journal of Cell Biology.

Expression of the pre-T cell receptor (preTCR) is an important checkpoint during the development of T cells, an essential cell type of our adaptive immune system. The preTCR complex is only transiently expressed and rapidly internalized in developing T cells and is thought to signal in a ligand-independent manner. However, identifying a mechanistic basis for these unique features of the preTCR compared with the final TCR complex has been confounded by the concomitant signaling that is normally present. Thus, we have reconstituted preTCR expression in non-immune cells to uncouple receptor trafficking dynamics from its associated signaling. We find that all the defining features of the preTCR are intrinsic properties of the receptor itself, driven by exposure of an extracellular hydrophobic region, and are not the consequence of receptor activation. Finally, we show that transitory preTCR cell surface expression can sustain tonic signaling in the absence of ligand binding, suggesting how the preTCR can nonetheless drive αβTCR lineage commitment.

Read the paper here.

Thu 03 Aug 2023, 10:36 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Simple amino acids improve t-cell cryopreservation

Advanced cell-based therapies are often delivered to the patient frozen. Hence, any technology which increases the number of recovered, viable, cells post-thaw may improve clinical outcomes or allow more treatments per donation. The GibsonGroup have previously shown strategies to protect cells during freezing. In this latest work, in collaboration with Cytiva, the team show that incubating a model t-cell line with proline before cryopreservation leads to increased post-thaw cell yields. All proline is removed before cryopreservation so the actual freezing and thawing processes are unchanged. It was shown that proline limits cell proliferation, which might be contributing to its mode of action similar to ‘metabolic pre-conditioning’ which has been shown before.

Read the paper here.

Thu 03 Aug 2023, 10:33 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

“Perfect" Glycosylated Materials

Glycans (sugars) dictate cell-cell communication, are sites for pathogen invasion and are a key part of our immune systems. Current synthetic platforms to display glycans to investigate their biology almost always are imperfect, with heterogeneity in terms of number of glycans and the synthesis is not reproducible batch to batch. The Gibson and Ward (chemistry) groups have collaborated on a Leverhulme-Trust funded project to create ‘programmable’ glyco-clusters - before entering the lab, this method enables a research to know exactly how many glycans and their 3-D location are present on a material, and gives zero heterogeneity. This is achieved using metal co-ordination cages - 3D structures formed by spontaneous self-assembly. The team used these with model glycan-binding proteins to identify key interactions which would not be possible with traditional materials. The team are now using this to interrogate a range of targets including toxins, for diagnostics.

Read the paper here.

Thu 03 Aug 2023, 10:31 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

High-throughput super-resolution analysis of influenza virus pleomorphism reveals insights into viral spatial organization

Andrew McMahon and others from the Robb lab have used super-resolution imaging to study the structure of the influenza virus, work which has just been published in PLOS Pathogens.
 
Influenza virus particles are highly pleomorphic, ranging in size from spherical virions ~ 100 nm in diameter to filaments of a similar width but reaching many micrometers in length. Virus structure is of interest not only in the context of virus assembly, but also because pleomorphic variations correlate with infectivity and pathogenicity. We used a super-resolution microscopy technique called dSTORM, which takes advantage of the blinking nature of fluorophores attached to viral proteins of interest to build up images of viral particles at <20nm resolution. Andrew then imaged thousands of virus particles and studied their shape and protein organization using high throughput analysis pipelines. We found that length analysis provided a useful way of characterizing virions and investigated the arrangement of viral proteins; demonstrating that no generalized spatial frequency patterning of HA or NA on the virion surface occurs, that the NA protein is polarized to the distal tip of budding filamentous virions, and that the RNA in filamentous virions is polarized towards one end of a filament. This study demonstrates the utility of fluorescence microscopy to study virus pleomorphism, and the importance of studying viral shape and organization to investigate their effect on infection dynamics.

Read the paper here.

Thu 03 Aug 2023, 10:29 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Professor Stephen Royle is elected as the new Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of the Company of Biologists

Tue 18 Jul 2023, 14:27 | Tags: BMS

Cryopreserving spheroids

Spheroids (and organoids) can reproduce key aspects of human biological responses, and since the FDA simplification act it is possible (in some cases) to bypass animal testing in the development of new drugs where quality tissue models exist. However, these are not accessible ‘off the shelf’ so are not widely used, with monolayer culture then animal studies common. The GibsonGroup working with the WhaleGroup have recently shown how controlled nucleation (making ice form) can actually improve cryopreservation outcomes by reducing intracellular ice formation. In this latest work they combine nucleation with proline-pre conditioning which ‘prepares’ cells for cryopreservation. This shows how joined-up thinking of cryopreservation as a biochemical and biophysical problem can make a major impact on cell-storage platform technologies.

Read the paper here.

Fri 07 Jul 2023, 16:08 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Professor Nigel Stallard appointed as new Director of Warwick Clinical Trials Unit

We are delighted to announce that Professor Nigel Stallard is appointed as the new Director of Warwick Clinical Trials Unit. Read the full news item here

Wed 31 May 2023, 10:22

GibsonGroup discover material to prevent phage infection

Bacteriophage (phage) are present wherever their bacteria hosts are. Phage have huge biotechnological potential, but lytic phages can also cause complete loss of bacterial cultures. For example in the food industry, or in every research laboratory, where rigorous sterile handing is the primary containment strategy. For industrial biotechnology using microorganisms to enable sustainable of chemicals, materials and drugs, phage infection must be addressed. In our latest (patent pending) work, in collaboration with the SagonaLab at Warwick, and Cytiva, we discovered that a simple polymer can prevent phage infection of bacteria when applied to the growth media. This process is simple, requires no change to working practises and prevents phage infections. We are still investigating the mechanistic aspects, but this is virustatic (inhibitory) rather than virucidal.

Read the press release here.
Read the paper here.

Fri 21 Apr 2023, 09:49 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Genetically encoded imaging tools for investigating cell dynamics at a glance

The biology of a cell is the sum of many highly dynamic processes, each orchestrated by a plethora of proteins and other molecules.

Microscopy is an invaluable approach to spatially and temporally dissect the molecular details of these processes. Hundreds of genetically encoded imaging tools have been developed that allow cell scientists to determine the function of a protein of interest in the context of these dynamic processes. Broadly, these tools fall into three strategies: observation, inhibition and activation. Using examples for each strategy, in this Cell Science at a Glance and the accompanying poster, we provide a guide to using these tools to dissect protein function in a given cellular process. Our focus here is on tools that allow rapid modification of proteins of interest and how observing the resulting changes in cell states is key to unlocking dynamic cell processes. The aim is to inspire the reader's next set of imaging experiments.

Read the paper here.

Thu 20 Apr 2023, 13:07 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Warwick Medical School hold inaugural Graduation event for successful education partnership

Graduands from around the World and their families gathered on Saturday 1 April at University of Warwick to enjoy a truly wonderful event celebrating the first cohort of students graduating from Warwick-iheed partnership programmes.

The ceremony was presided over by the University of Warwick Vice Chancellor Stuart Croft alongside several iheed colleagues including CEO and Founder Tom O’Callaghan. The event celebrated the hard work, dedication and achievement of the students, but also created an opportunity to celebrate the success of the partnership itself - To read the full news item click here

Wed 05 Apr 2023, 13:02 | Tags: news, Community, Education

Fruit Fly helps Warwick Scientists Understand human heart development

Dr Timothy Saunders and team have been awarded almost £300,000 by the British Heart foundation to study Fruit Fly Hearts!

Read more here:
Fruit fly helps Warwick scientists understand human heart development - BHF

Wed 05 Apr 2023, 09:19 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Warwick Medical School named hub university for Schwartz rounds in the Midlands

The NHS is investing £490,400 to help universities in the Midlands establish Schwartz Rounds for their health and social care students and staff. Fourteen Midlands-based universities have accepted the offer to begin working with the Point of Care Foundation to establish Schwartz Rounds, and Warwick Medical School has been named as the midlands hub university. To find out more about Schwartz Rounds and read the full news item click here.

Thu 30 Mar 2023, 12:15 | Tags: news

Professor Amy Grove appointed as new Head of Division for Health Sciences

Professor Amy Grove has been appointed as the new Head of Division for Health Sciences at Warwick Medical School following a competitive process. She will start her new role on 3 April. Read more about Amy, and the full news piece here.

Wed 29 Mar 2023, 07:28 | Tags: news HealthSciences

Pathogen mapped for the first time – to understand evolution and potential treatments

A sleeping sickness parasite is the first pathogen to have its proteins located and mapped within its cells. These parasites have made large areas of Africa unsuitable for livestock production, costing rural farmers up to £3.7bn each year.

For the first time ever, scientists have developed a detailed “protein atlas” of a pathogen – a kind of biological map that locates proteins in cells. They conducted the research on Trypanosoma brucei (T. brucei), helping to understand where proteins are within its cells, providing functional insights that may ultimately help treat parasite infections.

Read the press release hereLink opens in a new window.
Access the resource here and read the full paper here.

Tue 28 Mar 2023, 13:58 | Tags: BMS

Circulating effector γδ T cell populations are associated with acute coronavirus disease 19 in unvaccinated individuals

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causes severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a small proportion of infected individuals. The immune system plays an important role in the defence against SARS-CoV-2, but our understanding of the cellular immune parameters that contribute to severe COVID-19 disease is incomplete. Here, we show that populations of human effector γδ T cells are associated with acute COVID-19 in unvaccinated patients. We found that circulating killer-type γδ T cells were enriched in COVID-19 patients with acute disease. Surprisingly, SARS-CoV-2 infection did not alter the γδ T cell receptor repertoire, like in other viral infections. Thus, our work demonstrates a link between the systemic activation of effector populations of γδ T cells and acute COVID-19 in unvaccinated individuals.

Read the paper hereLink opens in a new window.

Tue 28 Mar 2023, 13:57 | Tags: BMS

Students launch Dementia Cafe in Leamington

Our MB ChB students are hoping to make a real difference in the community by opening a Dementia Café in a popular residential area of Leamington.

Memory Lane café will take place on Wednesdays from 1pm – 3pm at the Sydni Centre from Wednesday 22 March, providing a friendly space for older people with memory loss, to chat, undertake a range of activities and have some refreshments. For more information click here

Thu 16 Mar 2023, 15:52 | Tags: news Community HealthSciences

Professor Andrew McAinsh granted £2.5M Wellcome Discovery Award

Congratulations to Professor Andrew McAinsh, Pro Dean for Research at WMS, who has just been awarded a Wellcome Discovery Award and Research Grant of over £2.5M. The research programme ‘Kinetochore self-correction mechanisms underlying faithful chromosome segregation in humans’ will run for eight years. Read the full news item here.

Tue 14 Mar 2023, 11:18 | Tags: news BMS Research Wellcome

Inhibiting Ice Growth Using Polyproline

The GibsonGroup, in collaboration RCSI (Dublin), have demonstrated that polyproline is a structurally simple mimic of antifreeze glycoproteins. The GibsonGroup have a large interest in developing materials which can control ice growth/formation, and their application in biotechnology. This is inspired by antifreeze proteins, which can be challenging to obtain and are not suitable for scale up. The antifreeze glycoproteins are known to adopt a PPII helix in solution, and in this latest work the team show that polyproline itself is sufficient for ice binding and inhibiting ice growth, when it has sufficiently high molecular weight. This is significantly simpler than using a glycoprotein and supports growing evidence that the ‘hydrophobic’ face of AFGPs binds the ice, rather than the glycans, and that hydrogen bonding to the ice is not always essential for activity. Finally, this also shows that bio-renewable resources can be used to obtain ice growth inhibitors which themselves could be biodegradable.

Read the paper hereLink opens in a new window.

Fri 03 Mar 2023, 15:26 | Tags: BMS BMS_newpub

Dr Hollie White appointed to the Board of Certification for Athletic Training International Committee

Dr Hollie White, Assistant Professor in Health Sciences, and Theme Co-Lead for WMS BSc Health and Medical Sciences course has been appointed to the Board of Certification for Athletic Training International Committee (BOC-IC). For more information Click here

Tue 28 Feb 2023, 10:09 | Tags: news HealthSciences

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