REVIEW
- Metastasis in context: modeling the tumor microenvironment with cancer-on-a-chip approaches
Summary: This Review evaluates the recent contributions of cancer-on-a-chip models to our understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its role in the onset of metastasis. The authors also provide an outlook for future applications of this emerging technology.
RESEARCH ARTICLES
- Neutrophil-specific knockout demonstrates a role for mitochondria in regulating neutrophil motility in zebrafish
Summary: Using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated neutrophil-specific knockout, a requirement for mitochondrial DNA polymerase, electron transportation chain and superoxide dismutases in neutrophil migration is demonstrated in zebrafish, providing genetic evidence of the immunodeficiency seen in mitochondrial disease patients.
- Feeding difficulties, a key feature of the Drosophila NDUFS4 mitochondrial disease model
Summary: The characterization of a novel Drosophila model of NDUFS4 mitochondrial disease revealed a pronounced defect in feeding abilities and recapitulated additional human disease features.
- Lymphoblastoid cell lines as a model to understand amyotrophic lateral sclerosis disease mechanisms
Summary: The identification of a patient-specific and non-invasive model is crucial in ALS research. Here, the authors present a reliable characterization of lymphoblastoid cell lines from both sporadic and mutated ALS patients.
- The role of the microRNA-146a/complement factor H/interleukin-1β-mediated inflammatory loop circuit in the perpetuate inflammation of chronic temporal lobe epilepsy
Summary: The microRNA-146a–complement factor H–interleukin-1β loop circuit might initiate a cascade of inflammation, leading to the perpetuate inflammation in temporal lobe epilepsy.
- Vangl2 disruption alters the biomechanics of late spinal neurulation leading to spina bifida in mouse embryos
Summary: Disruption of Vangl2-dependent planar-polarised processes in the posterior neuropore (PNP) neuroepithelium and surface ectoderm preclude zippering point biomechanical accommodation associated with Closure 5 formation at the completion of PNP closure.
- Identification of protective postexposure mycobacterial vaccine antigens using an immunosuppression-based reactivation model in the zebrafish
Summary: We characterize the reactivation of a latent mycobacterial infection and identify DNA-based vaccine candidates against the reactivation of tuberculosis using the adult zebrafish Mycobacterium marinum infection model.
- Mek1Y130C mice recapitulate aspects of human cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome
Summary: A mouse model for cardio-facio-cutaneous syndrome caused by MEK1 Y130C mutant protein reveals the role of hyperactivation of the RAS/MAPK pathway in the development of the syndrome.
- Altered expression of the Cdk5 activator-like protein, Cdk5α, causes neurodegeneration, in part by accelerating the rate of aging
Editor's choice: By developing a comprehensive and quantitative metric for physiological age of Drosophila, we show that a neurodegeneration mutant produces its effects in part by accelerating the absolute rate of aging.
- Vitamin D deficiency in the ApcPirc/+ rat does not exacerbate colonic tumorigenesis, while low dietary calcium might be protective
Summary: Using rat models of familial and inflammation-induced colon cancer, this study demonstrates that vitamin D deficiency does not increase risk of developing disease, and that low dietary calcium might be protective.
- Identification of early indicators of altered metabolism in normal development using a rodent model system
Summary: This study suggests an important link between the early embryonic environment and later adult physiology and pathology. At least one process by which this might be coordinated is through the regulatory mechanisms mediated by Dnmt1.
RESOURCE ARTICLE
- Disease Ontology: improving and unifying disease annotations across species
Summary: Analyzing diverse disease data requires a comprehensive, robust disease ontology to integrate annotations and retrieve accurate, interpretable results. MGD, RGD and DO are working in collaboration to achieve this goal.
This issue
Other journals from The Company of Biologists
DMM and COVID-19
We are aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented impact on researchers worldwide. The Editors of all The Company of Biologists’ journals have been considering ways in which we can alleviate concerns that members of our community may have around publishing activities during this time. Read about the actions we are taking at this time.
Please don’t hesitate to contact the Editorial Office if you have any questions or concerns.
Alessandro Bailetti is awarded the DMM Outstanding Paper Prize 2019
The annual prize is awarded to the first author of the paper that is judged by the journal’s editors to be the most outstanding contribution to the journal that year. Alessandro Bailetti's winning paper presents results that indicate a possible connection between E(Pc) and the Tip60 complex, and leukemia. Find out more about Alessandro and read the winning paper.
Find DMM online
We may not be meeting you in person this year, but we’re always here to chat about DMM and The Company of Biologists. Join the conversation over on Twitter, email us or catch Scientific Editor Julija Hmeljak at these upcoming virtual meetings:
MRC Human Genetics Unit (Virtual) Symposium: Aberrant Cell State Transitions in Human Disease
23-24 September
Genomic Imprinting – from Biology to Disease
28 September – 1 October
ZDMS Virtual webinar series
Throughout September – December
Interview - Pratibha Singh
First author Pratibha Singh discusses her intestinal injury model in mouse neonatal pups, the most significant challenge impacting her field of research and shares her thoughts on how to better support early-career researchers.
Call for papers - The RAS Pathway: Diseases, Therapeutics and Beyond
DMM invites you to submit original research for a special issue focused on targeting the RAS pathway. The submission deadline is 1 March 2021. Find out more and showcase your breakthrough research in this special collection.
It’s a time of turmoil for young scientists
“My students are my priority – they are on the brink of their careers.”
Dr Jodie Rummer (ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies at James Cook University) talks about the importance of her role as a supervisor in supporting graduate students and post docs financially, intellectually and emotionally during this period of uncertainty.