Information on Loughborough

MRC scientists advance understanding of cell death

Posted on 14/08/09
University of Leicester

Medical Research Council (MRC) scientists have made an important advance in understanding the biological processes involved when cells are prompted to die. The work may help scientists to eventually develop new treatments for the many common diseases and conditions which occur when cell death goes wrong.

The research, published in leading journal Molecular Cell [1] today (Friday 14 August 2009) was carried out by a team of scientists, at the MRC Toxicology Unit at the University of Leicester and a subsequent patent application has been filed by MRC Technology, the commercial arm of the MRC.

Cells in the human body are continually dying and most of these cells kill themselves by a form of cell death, commonly referred to as apoptosis. In a healthy body, the number of cells stays constant. Millions of new cells are produced every second, and millions of others are lost or kill themselves. Failure of the normal apoptosis process plays a role in different diseases including cancer, certain neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons and immune diseases, such as autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS).

One of the studys authors, Dr Marion MacFarlane, MRC Toxicology Unit, explained: This new research takes us a step closer to understanding how the DISC triggers cells to die. The challenge now is to try and use this fundamental knowledge to help work towards finding better treatments for conditions which occur when DISC-mediated cell death goes wrong.

Previous research has shown that a complex called the DISC, which is made up of different proteins and is formed following activation of molecules called Death Receptors, can trigger apoptosis by switching on key players in the cell death process. However, previous research has found that the DISC can also activate cell survival, thus raising the question as to how paradoxically the DISC can trigger these opposing cellular outcomes?

Now, scientists at the MRC Toxicology Unit have found that the DISC can trigger cell death or cell survival by switching the activity of key death-promoting molecules. Stopping the DISC from functioning properly prevents the cell death programme from being carried out efficiently and instead results in cell survival. Thus, in diseases such as ALPS, where a crucial death-promoting protein is often not active the DISC fails to function properly.

Latest Loughborough News

Easter Holiday Events in Leicestershire to view online

Created: Wednesday 17th of March 2010 06:30:01 PM

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services17 March 2010Easter Holiday Events in Leicestershire to view onlineLeicestershire museums, libraries and country parks will be hosting numerous events, many of which are free throughout the school holidays to keep the family entertained across the county. There’s something for everyone, whether your family enjoy arts and crafts, games and puzzles, historical or nature events....

Read More: Easter Holiday Events in Leicestershire to view online

‘In the Frame’ winner announced at Harborough Museum

Created: Wednesday 17th of March 2010 04:30:02 PM

Leicestershire,Loughborough

Community Services 17 March 2010. ....

Read More: ‘In the Frame’ winner announced at Harborough Museum

Praise for long serving school governors

Created: Wednesday 17th of March 2010 04:30:01 PM

Leicestershire,Loughborough

17 March 2010Praise for long serving school governorsPhoto Opportunity: School governors from all over the County will be thanked for serving their local communities at a special reception hosted by Roger Wilson, the Chairman of Leicestershire County Council.  The event is taking place at County Hall on Tuesday 23rd March at 5....

Read More: Praise for long serving school governors

Park and ride scoops two awards

Created: Wednesday 17th of March 2010 12:30:01 PM

Leicestershire,Loughborough

17 March 2010Park and ride scoops two awardsThe Enderby park and ride scheme has scooped two awards in the Parking Review British Parking Awards 2010. The £9....

Read More: Park and ride scoops two awards

Recycled humps, quieter bumps

Created: Wednesday 17th of March 2010 10:30:01 AM

Leicestershire,Loughborough

17 March 2010Recycled humps, quieter bumpsRubber speed bumps are being used to cut traffic speed in Syston. The innovative safety measures, made from recycled rubber tyres, are the first of their kind in Leicestershire and have been put in along Barkby Road....

Read More: Recycled humps, quieter bumps

Related Loughborough News

New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

Created: Tuesday 21st of April 2009 03:04:25 PM

New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

Public event on Tuesday April 28 will examine how understanding cancer cell division will help fight the disease...

Read More: New advances in cancer research to be highlighted at University of Leicester

Embryo Research

Created: Wednesday 14th of May 2008 04:59:00 PM

embryo

Andy Reed, Loughborough MP, has voted for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill which will confer the same rights and restrictions on the use of admixed embryos as human embryos....

Read More: Embryo Research

£6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution

Created: Sunday 28th of December 2008 06:23:19 PM

Loughborough University,Loughborough

6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution A surge in demand for revolutionary new medical treatments is to be met by training up a new breed of scientist at a 6 million specialist centre at Loughborough University. To realise the full potential of the latest healthcare advances such as regenerating cartilage and bone and growing heart muscle cells graduates are to be trained in the latest scientific techniques as well as commercial expertise....

Read More: £6m to spearhead training for a healthcare revolution

Study reveals new role of vitamin C in skin protection

Created: Wednesday 9th of September 2009 10:09:29 AM

Study reveals new role of vitamin C in skin protection

The results from University of Leicester research will be of great relevance to the cosmetics industry ...

Read More: Study reveals new role of vitamin C in skin protection

Energy Minister Visits Loughborough

Created: Thursday 18th of September 2008 09:00:00 AM

fuel cell

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks was in Loughborough on Monday to see world class fuel cell company Intelligent Energy with local MP Andy Reed....

Read More: Energy Minister Visits Loughborough

Most Read Loughborough News (today)

Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Created: Friday 18th of July 2008 11:00:00 AM

graffiti

A SERIES of free graffiti workshops could help creative youngsters avoid a brush with the law. Charnwood Community Safety Partnership, of which Charnwood Borough Council is a partner, is staging the six-week programme of graffiti workshops in three neighbourhoods to give 11 to 16-year-olds an alternative means of expression rather than daubing slogans and images on buildings throughout the Borough....

Read More: Graffiti Workshops in Loughborough and Charnwood

Slavery in Leicestershire

Created: Friday 28th of September 2007 07:22:47 AM

slave in manacles

The latest news from the Museum in Loughborough is that from 1st October 2007 they will be exhibiting an exhibition relating to the start of the abolition of the slave trade which celebrates its bicentenary this year. Using documents from Leicestershires archives information on local relations with the slave trade, and with individuals who struggled to eliminate slavery itself will be on display. ...

Read More: Slavery in Leicestershire

Micah Challenge backed by MP for Loughborough

Created: Wednesday 25th of June 2008 03:00:00 AM

poverty

Andy Reed backed the Micah Challenge in Parliament. Andy helped launch the UK Challenge in parliament a couple of years ago. ...

Read More: Micah Challenge backed by MP for Loughborough

Loughborough Picnic in the Park

Created: Friday 9th of May 2008 03:09:00 PM

park picnic

If you go down to the park on Saturday May 17th you re in for a lovely surprise! Queen s Park, Loughborough, that is and Charnwood Arts would like to wish you a warm welcome to Picnic in the Park 2008. For the 28th year they will be providing an exciting day of performance, arts, crafts, fun and games right at the heart of our community....

Read More: Loughborough Picnic in the Park

Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Created: Tuesday 27th of May 2008 03:50:00 PM

robot

Reports are coming in that Loughborough Town Centre was yesterday infiltrated by a giant robot. The robot which some eye witnesses say they saw in Market Place and Market Street at various times yesterday afternoon stood some 8ft tall, was metallic in colour, had blue glowing eyes and spoke in sound bites....

Read More: Robot in Loughborough Town Centre

Most Read Loughborough News (this month)

Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure

Created: Tuesday 2nd of March 2010 04:03:15 PM

News

Charnwood Borough Council has today learned that the Astra Zeneca has decided to close its facility in Loughborough by the end of 2011. The announcement is a huge blow and a major loss of employment in the Borough and in Loughborough in particular. ...

Read More: Loughborough Astra Zeneca Closure

Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him

Created: Saturday 20th of February 2010 07:49:32 AM

police,constabulary,leicestershire police

Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him Ernest pictured with his common law wife Nina The family of a man killed in a road traffic collision have paid tribute to him. 46-year-old Ernest Mathers from Doncaster was killed in a road traffic collision at around 1....

Read More: Family of Ernest Mathers pay tribute to him

Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement

Created: Wednesday 3rd of March 2010 11:03:57 AM

News

An action group consisting of local organisations is to meet on Friday to discuss yesterday s (Tue) announcement by Astra Zeneca. Charnwood Borough Council has organised the urgent meeting after the pharmaceutical firm announced it will close its operation in the town by the end of next year. This will mean a loss of nearly 1,200 jobs. ...

Read More: Action group to meet regarding Astra Zeneca announcement

Appeal following incident at Loughborough University

Created: Friday 26th of February 2010 08:10:01 PM

police,constabulary,leicestershire police

Appeal following incident at Loughborough UniversityPolice are appealing for witnesses following the report of a serious sexual assault in Loughborough. The incident is alleged to have happened sometime between 1....

Read More: Appeal following incident at Loughborough University

Thirteen people arrested in 'Bling' crackdown

Created: Wednesday 24th of February 2010 10:20:01 PM

cannabis, weed, drugs

Thirteen people arrested in 'Bling' crackdownThirteen people have been arrested in the first phase of a Force-wide operation to crackdown on criminals living lavish lifestyles from the proceeds of crime. The ‘Too Much Bling? Give us a Ring’ campaign was launched on February 10, 2010, encouraging members of the public to call Crimestoppers anonymously to let police know of any people who may be living beyond their means from drug money or ill gotten gains....

Read More: Thirteen people arrested in 'Bling' crackdown