Blog

- GENETICS

Scientists develop first-of-its-kind antibody to block Epstein Barr virus

Fred Hutch Cancer Center scientists reached a crucial milestone in blocking Epstein Barr virus (EBV), a pathogen estimated to infect 95% of the global population that is linked to multiple types of cancer, neurodegenerative diseases and other chronic health conditions. Using mice with human antibody genes, the research team developed new genetically human monoclonal antibodies that prevent two key antigens on the surface of the virus from binding to and entering human immune cells.

Read More »

Blood and urine DNA tests may help some bladder cancer patients avoid surgery

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have reported promising findings that may help redefine treatment for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, a potentially aggressive form of the disease traditionally treated with surgical removal of the bladder. The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates that ultra-sensitive testing of tumor-derived DNA in blood and urine may help identify patients who can safely preserve their bladder without compromising cancer outcomes.

Read More »

Oral vaccine strategy used modified bacterium to combat colorectal cancer

A research team investigating the use of the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes against colorectal cancer has discovered a way to build a modified version of Listeria as an oral vaccine to prime the immune system directly within the gut, where anti-tumor cells are then generated. Details of the work, led by Stony Brook immunologist Brian Sheridan, Ph.D., are published in the Journal for the ImmunoTherapy of Cancer.

Read More »

AI tool debuts with better genomic predictions and explanations

Artificial intelligence has taken the world by storm. In biology, AI tools called deep neural networks (DNNs) have proven invaluable for predicting the results of genomic experiments. Their usefulness has these tools poised to set the stage for efficient, AI-guided research and potentially lifesaving discoveries—if scientists can work out the kinks. The findings are published in the journal npj Artificial Intelligence.

Read More »

Machine-learned biomarker identifies those at high risk for liver cancer

Researchers led by Xian-Yang Qin at the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences (IMS) in Japan have developed a score that predicts the risk of liver cancer. Published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the study establishes that the protein MYCN drives liver tumorigenesis, specifically of the type of tumors found in the deadliest subtype of liver cancer.

Read More »

AI-powered liquid biopsy can classify pediatric brain tumors with 92% accuracy

St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital scientists, in collaboration with scientists at the Hopp Children’s Cancer Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and other international centers, created Methylation-based Predictive Algorithm for CNS Tumors (M-PACT). M-PACT uses AI to sift through ctDNA in cerebrospinal fluid and molecularly classify tumors based on their DNA methylation pattern.

Read More »

Studies show 11 genetic variants affect gut microbiome

In two new studies on 28,000 individuals, researchers are able to show that genetic variants in 11 regions of the human genome have a clear influence on which bacteria are in the gut and what they do there. Only two genetic regions were previously known. Some of the new genetic variants can be linked to an increased risk of gluten intolerance, hemorrhoids and cardiovascular diseases.

Read More »

World-First EXO 001 Exosome Platform Enables In Vivo Multi-Target CAR-T for Solid Tumors

TAICHUNG, Feb. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Cancer has long ranked among the leading causes of death in Taiwan, and solid tumors account for more than 90% of cancer cases worldwide—making them the most challenging frontier for CAR-T cell therapy. China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) announced today that, in collaboration with Ever Supreme Bio Technology, it has successfully developed the world’s first EXO 001 targeted exosome platform, a breakthrough technology that enables direct in vivo programming of T cells to generate multi-target nanobody-based CAR-T cells.

Read More »