Research news
RAS gene and tissue physics act in tandem to drive cancer processes
Researchers from IBEC, the UCL (UK), UPC (Spain) and the TU/e (Netherlands) show that activation of the RAS oncogene (a mutation occurring in approximately 30% of human cancers), induces tumour features in an epithelium via coordinated physical changes of all cells forming the affected tissue. Published in the scientific journal Science Advances, the new work suggests that future cancer treatments should target both the biological processes underlying the disease and the evolving mechanical structure of the affected tissue.
New biosensor detects inflammatory marker in muscle with high sensitivity
In a recent publication in the journal Nanophotonics, IBEC researchers present a new biosensor for the direct and sensitive detection of the protein interleukin-6 in muscle, an indicator of inflammation and potential disease, proving the high performance of the device on bioengineered 3D skeletal muscles. This new approach may result in a promising tool for measuring the efficacy of drug candidates for diseases where inflammation is present such as muscular dystrophy.
Personalised medicine to beat pediatric leukemia
IBEC researchers have used a state-of-the-art analysis technique to evaluate new drug combinations to successfully treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This study brings personalised medicine closer to the clinic for this cancer type.