Cell biology

Better chances with time

The risk of rectal cancer recurrence is less than 5% for patients who have been tumor-free for three years after nonsurgical treatment with radiation therapy and chemotherapy

The mystery of reinfections

Evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the same person more than once is challenging our understanding of the virus and how we combat the disease

Coronavirus and the brain

A study confirms that the novel coronavirus can infect different types of brain cells, and may be capable of directly damaging the brain

A jawbone made from fat cells

The researchers were able to regenerate the TMJ bone and cartilage of pigs, whose jaws are similar to those of humans, using stem cells obtained from the animals’ own fat

Radovan Borojevic: The tamer of cells

The Croatian-born biologist and UFRJ professor emeritus speaks of the obstacles and encouraging perspectives for regenerative medicine

SARS-CoV-2 can attack immune cells

The novel coronavirus is capable of infecting and killing immune cells, say researchers from the University of São Paulo in Ribeirão Preto

The trigger for muscular strength

An international group of researchers has identified a chemical compound that functions as a molecular trigger for the strength gains caused by physical exercise

The puzzle of immunity

Crucial questions about the response of the immune system to the novel coronavirus remain unanswered

A potential virus reservoir

Adipose tissue may act as a reservoir for the novel coronavirus, suggests a study conducted by researchers at the University of Campinas

Early deficit

People with Huntington's disease tend to produce fewer neurons since birth

Natural guests

Abundant viruses contribute to the genetic diversity of life on Earth and may have emerged four times throughout the planet's history

Michel Nussenzweig: Antibody hunter

Brazilian-born immunologist searches the plasma of patients who have survived COVID-19 for proteins capable of fighting the novel coronavirus

The antivirus arsenal

The search for an effective treatment for COVID-19 includes testing drugs already used against other diseases and even plasma

Virus on the attack

Transmission electron microscope images provide a detailed look at how SARS-CoV-2 attacks, infects, and replicates in a culture of Vero cells

Gene therapy on the horizon

American biochemist Jennifer Doudna, from the University of California, Berkeley, is one of the best-known names behind the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique

Battle of the cells

Experimental therapy tested for the first time in Brazil uses a patient's own defense system to fight cancer

Biological engineering

Lab-made vascular cells actively produce a coagulation factor

In cells, the answer

Scientist combines knowledge of molecular biology and information technology to create genetic testing startup

Mapped-out risk

Study identifies the genetic profile of Brazilian patients with a rare disease that causes a specific type of thyroid cancer

Glaucius Oliva: Complex structures

Self-declared molecule tamer, physicist marries scientific research with administrative management

Homage to Henrietta Lacks and her cells

Johns Hopkins University, USA, is to name a new ethics research building in honor of Henrietta Lacks

Internal communication in plants

Plant cells communicate with each other by exchanging chemical compounds, similar to the role played by neurons in animal central nervous systems

A second chance

Biologist fired by the University of Tokyo for manipulating images receives training from British Nobel laureate

Male or female? The mystery unfolds

Amazonian frog species has more sex chromosomes than any other vertebrate

The mechanisms of aging

Studies of living cells and organisms identify genetic and molecular phenomena associated with physical and mental decline

Lethal bouquets

Back to the laboratory bench

Stem cell therapy for heart problems is undergoing new tests

Male fertility halves in 40 years

The number of sperm produced by men has fallen by half over the last 40 years

The hanging gardens of cells

Cultures in 3D environments reveal unknown structures

Seeking to understand the origin of the forest

In a joint effort to explain the biological diversity of Amazonia and the Atlantic Forest, biologists and geologists have created the new field of geogenomics