Stanford University

PITTSBURGH, March 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Duquesne University's Nanomedicine Manufacturing Laboratory (NML) is taking tiny particles and using them to help remedy major health issues. The lab, led by Duquesne Associate Professor of Pharmaceutics Dr. Jelena Janjic, was the first to create pain nanomedicine for trauma and surgical pain, which could lead to reducing the use of opioids for recovery. The NML also developed the first oxygen carrier with imaging clinical grade agents for real-time tracking during organ/limb preservation, which may reduce organ rejection and lead to improving transplantation success. So it wasn't much of a surprise when the NML was tapped to participate with other institutions to make whole eye transplants a reality. More than 40 scientists, doctors and industry experts are joining together for the $56 million project from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) Transplantation of Human Eye Allografts (THEA) program. Jeffrey Goldberg, MD, PhD, Blumenkranz Smead professor and chair of ophthalmology at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford, serves as the principal investigator. José-Alain Sahel, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh, co-directs the initiative with Goldberg. "We are uniquely prepared to work in multiple task areas of this project," Janjic said, adding that Duquesne was the only partner in the project to receive two sub-proposer contracts. "The nanomedicines we create provide imaging of the tissue during rejection, and in response to immunosuppression treatment, image optic nerve neuroinflammation post repair, and importantly aid in organ preservation and offer drug delivery that assists in transplantation." These horizon-expanding opportunities are part of Duquesne's DNA, benefiting researchers, students and society by moving scientific discovery forward. A key part of the NML's success is its quality-by-design process, which allows it to produce cost-effective, robust and scalable manufacturing methods for nanomedicines with a high level of quality control. Typical nanotechnology-based therapeutics are often burdened with high costs and challenging quality control issues. NML is unique in its ability to produce multi-liter quantities of complex patent-protected nanomedicine formulations across multiple uses, from pain relief to organ preservation. The ARPA-H funding, which includes $1.2 million to Duquesne, is just the latest example of NML's success. Last year, the lab received a $1.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to expand research into using nanoparticle technology to preserve human limbs for transplantation surgeries. SOURCE Duquesne University WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED

编辑丨王多鱼 排版丨水成文 线粒体丙酮酸转运蛋白（MPC）是连接细胞溶质糖酵解和线粒体氧化磷酸化的中心代谢物，负责将丙酮酸转运进入线粒体基质。因此，它充当着关键的代谢“守门人”，在细胞代谢中发挥着基础性的作用。此外，MPC 还是治疗糖尿病、非酒精性脂肪性肝炎以及神经退行性疾病药物的关键靶点。 然而，尽管 MPC 在生理和医学中发挥重要作用，但其转运功能的分子机制以及药物如何抑制 MPC，目前仍不清楚。 2025 年 3 月 5 日，斯坦福大学冯亮团队（何峥、张建秀为共同第一作者）在国际顶尖学术期刊 Nature 上发表了题为：Structure of mitochondrial pyruvate carrier and its inhibition mechanism 的研究论文。 该研究利用冷冻电镜技术解析了人源线粒体丙酮酸转运蛋白（MPC）的多种构象状态，并揭示了其底物结合和小分子抑制机制。这一成果为深入理解 MPC 功能机制和设计靶向药物奠定了分子基础，是线粒体转运研究的一项重大进展。 在这项最新研究中，研究团队成功表达并纯化了人源 MPC1-MPC2 复合物，并利用冷冻电镜（cryo-EM）技术解析出多组高分辨率蛋白复合物结构，从而确定了这一重要转运蛋白的结构，描绘了其底物结合位点和易位途径，并揭示了其主要构象状态。这些结果解决了长期以来关于 MPC 拓扑结构和寡聚状态的问题，提供了其在转运过程中的分子变构机理，为深入理解其功能机制提供了关键数据。 接下来，研究团队进一步分析了 MPC 的三种小分子抑制剂——UK5099、AKOS005153046 和噻唑烷二酮（TZD）衍生物 GW604714X 与其结合及发挥抑制作用的机制。 这些发现为理解 MPC 的功能提供了分子基础，并为开发更有效的靶向 MPC 的治疗试剂铺平了道路。 论文链接： https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-08667-y 设置星标，不错过精彩推文 开放转载 欢迎转发到朋友圈和微信群  微信加群  为促进前沿研究的传播和交流，我们组建了多个专业交流群，长按下方二维码，即可添加小编微信进群，由于申请人数较多，添加微信时请备注：学校/专业/姓名，如果是PI/教授，还请注明。 点在看，传递你的品味

MINNEAPOLIS, March 4, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Taking a higher dose of folic acid during the first trimester of pregnancy was safe and associated with improved verbal abilities in children at age six as well as improved behavior skills, according to a preliminary study released March 4, 2025, that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 77th Annual Meeting taking place April 5–9, 2025, in San Diego and online. "Folic acid during pregnancy has been shown to reduce deformities and improve intellectual abilities in children, but the best dose of folic acid is unknown," said study author Kimford J. Meador, MD, PhD, of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology. "Our study provides new information showing a positive connection between taking folic acid during early pregnancy and brain health outcomes in children, with no evidence of negative effects at higher doses." The study looked at 345 children when they were six years old. Of the participants, 262 were children of women with epilepsy and 83 were children of women without epilepsy. Researchers recorded doses of folic acid taken by their mothers during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and divided the children into five groups based on average dosage: no folic acid, folic acid up to 0.4 milligrams (mg) per day; more than 0.4 to 1.0 mg per day; more than 1.0 to 4.0 mg per day; and more than 4.0 mg per day. The current recommended dose during pregnancy for the general population is 0.4 mg per day, while women with epilepsy may be prescribed a higher dose. Children were given multiple tests to assess verbal skills. For example, for one vocabulary test, participants were asked to describe objects, actions or concepts presented in each picture using one word. For the general population, scores for these verbal tests range from 70 to 130, with a mean of 100, with higher scores indicating better abilities. Parents also completed questionnaires to assess the children's behaviors like communication skills, social skills and daily living skills. Results from these tests were combined for an overall standardized behavioral score. For the general population, scores range from 70 to 130, with a mean of 100, with higher scores indicating better abilities. After adjusting for factors such as mother's IQ, epilepsy medications, and pregnancy complications, researchers found the average verbal score for children of women who took folic acid was 108 compared to 96 for children of women who did not take folic acid. The average behavioral score for children of women who took folic acid was 102 compared to 82 for children of women who did not take folic acid. When looking only at children whose mothers took folic acid during pregnancy, researchers found scores were similar across low to high doses of folic acid. Children of mothers who took a low dose had a similar average verbal score of 110 compared to 108 for children of mothers who took a high dose. Children of those who took a low dose and children of those who took a high dose both had average behavioral scores of 103. "While previous studies have found risks with higher doses, these findings are reassuring for people who are pregnant or planning to have children that taking a higher dose of folic acid early in pregnancy may still positively impact the brain health of their child," Meador said. "Additional studies are needed to determine the best dose of folic acid to maximize benefits and minimize risks to neurodevelopment as well as other outcomes, which could vary for different groups of women." A limitation of the study was that it did not look at other factors that may affect folic acid intake and absorption, such as other vitamins taken and genetics. The study was supported by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Discover more about brain health at BrainandLife.org, from the American Academy of Neurology. This resource also offers a magazine, podcast, and books that connect patients, caregivers and anyone interested in brain health with the most trusted information, straight from the world's leading experts in brain health. Follow Brain & Life® on Facebook, X, and Instagram. The American Academy of Neurology is the leading voice in brain health. As the world's largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals with more than 40,000 members, the AAN provides access to the latest news, science and research affecting neurology for patients, caregivers, physicians and professionals alike. The AAN's mission is to enhance member career fulfillment and promote brain health for all. A neurologist is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, care and treatment of brain, spinal cord and nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, concussion, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, headache and migraine. Explore the latest in neurological disease and brain health, from the minds at the AAN at AAN.com or find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. SOURCE American Academy of Neurology WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED