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Scientists achieve precise and efficient RNA editing via cleavage of an ADAR inhibitor

The development of programmable, site-specific gene editing tools has provided methods and strategies for correcting pathogenic mutations, such as emerging RNA editing technologies. Unlike DNA editing, RNA editing transiently modifies RNA transcripts, thereby avoiding the long-term safety risks associated with DNA off-target effects.

2025-03-27
An efficient and precise mitochondrial adenine base editor

Mitochondria, the “powerhouses” of cells, play a vital role in adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. Mitochondria possess their own independent DNA, termed mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), which encodes genes essential for mitochondrial function. Compared to nuclear DNA, mtDNA is more prone to mutations due to reactive oxygen species generated during oxidative phosphorylation. Most mtDNA mutations are base substitutions, leading to mitochondrial genetic disorders such as Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), Leigh syndrome, and mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acido

2025-03-27
Unlocking the immune system switch: New study reveals how LAG3 modulates immune responses

A new study published in Cell has uncovered how a molecule called LAG3 functions as a brake to suppress the immune system. This discovery helps explain how cancer avoids immune attacks and may guide doctors to better treatment options. Led by Associate Professor Wang Haopeng from the School of Life Science and Technology (SLST) at ShanghaiTech University, this research offers a fresh perspective for improving cancer immunotherapy.

2025-03-19
SLST researchers unravel the mechanisms underlying plant proline metabolism

Abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures threaten global crop yields. For optimum crop productivity, plants must efficiently combat these stresses. Rapid accumulation of proline under stress is a key feature and primary defense strategy in plants. Arabidopsis thaliana pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthase (AtP5CS), involved in proline metabolism, serves as the rate-limiting enzyme for de novo proline synthesis in plants. AtP5CS contains both glutamate kinase (GK) and glutamate-5-semialdehyde dehydrogenase (GPR) domains.

2024-05-27
ShanghaiTech researchers unveil the structure and inhibition mechanism of prokaryotic CTP synthase

Led by Professor Liu Ji-Long in the School of Life Science and Technology, a research team has recently made strides in comprehending the structure and inhibition mechanisms of prokaryotic cytidine triphosphate (CTP) synthase, as detailed in the academic journal mLife in a paper entitled “Filamentation and inhibition of prokaryotic CTP synthase with ligands” on May 2. This study provides novel insights into CTP synthase regulation within biological systems and lays groundwork for innovative therapeutic approaches against bacterial pathogens.

2024-05-08
Researchers reveal mechanism of lysosomal dysfunction regulating testicular aging

The testes are the site of sperm production and secretion of male hormones. Testicular aging not only leads to a decline in fertility but also significantly affects the quality of life for men. Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is a typical pathological change of testicular aging, characterized by testosterone deficiency and other related clinical symptoms. Prolonged testosterone deficiency can also cause metabolic syndrome, such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia, and the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s, leading to a significant increase in mortality rates. The incidence of LOH

2024-04-29
Researchers reveal spatiotemporal multi-omics evolutionary map of liver cancer metastasis

Hepatocellular carcinoma, a highly prevalent malignant tumor in China, accounts for nearly half of the newly diagnosed cases and deaths worldwide annually. Among liver cancer patients, 70-80% are diagnosed with tumor spread and metastasis, rendering them ineligible for surgical intervention. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular characteristics specific to metastatic liver cancer is still lacking.

2023-12-22
SLST teams with Correctseq report new cures for β-hemoglobinopathies

CorrectSequence Therapeutics (Correctseq), a biotechnology company incubated from ShanghaiTech using innovative base editing technology to help people with severe diseases, today announced that the company and the research teams from ShanghaiTech University, Wuhan University, Fudan University and Children’s Hospital of Fudan University published an article entitled “Base editing of the HBG promoter induces potent fetal hemoglobin expression with no detectable off-target mutations in human HSCs” in Cell Stem Cell on November 20th, reporting a novel base editing strategy for

2023-12-05
Breakthrough Discovery by ShanghaiTech researchers published in Nature

Methamphetamine (METH), commonly known as crystal meth, is one of the most abused substances, posing a serious burden on human health and society. Currently, there are no approved drugs available for the treatment of METH addiction. METH addiction primarily operates by modulating dopamine release and reuptake, a widely known mechanism. Recent studies indicated that METH can directly bind to Trace Amine-Associated Receptor 1 (TAAR1), a trace amine receptor, activating the downstream G-protein signaling pathway. This interaction is suggested to be a critical node in METH sign

2023-11-16
Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology: Base editing of organellar DNA with programmable deaminases

Mitochondria and chloroplasts are organelles that include their own genomes, which encode key genes for ATP production and for carbon dioxide fixation, respectively (Fig. 1). Mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) can cause diverse genetic disorders and are also linked to aging and age-related diseases, including cancer. Targeted editing of organellar DNA should be useful for studying organellar genes and for developing novel therapeutics, but it has been hindered by lack of efficient tools for study in living cells.

2023-10-13