Phase-separated biomolecular condensates play a crucial role in cellular organization. In the nucleus, phase separation regulates the assembly and function of nuclear proteins and the genome. Here, we...

Single molecule experiments aimed at probing protein folding are typically performed in buffer conditions and cannot therefore be representative of the multi-faceted and complex cooperative interacti...

Spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA) is caused by a polyglutamine expansion (pQe) in the N-terminal transactivation domain of the human androgen receptor (AR-NTD), resulting in a combination of toxi...

“Oscars of Science” recognize major advances in gene editing and against MS and obesity.

Researchers at Leiden University have created a unique model that mimics how disease develops after a dengue infection. This 'dengue-on-a-chip' model helps them study the virus more effectively. The t...

Capillary leakage is a hallmark of severe dengue, yet its precise mechanisms remain elusive. Emerging evidence highlights the dengue virus’s targeting of mechanically active endothelial cells as a key contributor to dengue shock syndrome. The viral nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) has been identified as a central player, disrupting endothelial integrity and inducing vascular hyperpermeability independently of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study provides a direct assessment of NS1-induced endothelial pathology by combining single-cell force spectroscopy and a microvessel-on-a-chip platform. We demonstrate that NS1 significantly alters endothelial cell mechanics, reducing cell stiffness and compromising junctional integrity, thereby directly linking these mechanical alterations to vascular dysfunction. These findings establish a framework for understanding the mechano-pathology of dengue and offer a platform for developing targeted therapeutic strategies to mitigate severe disease outcomes.

Understanding the behaviour of tiny droplets in our cells could aid the search for new treatments. A team of Leiden researchers has developed a groundbreaking method to study how these droplets transi...

YouTube video by Alireza Mashaghi Lab