UC Berkeley chemists design molecule that could treat multiple diseases at once

Researchers have designed a new molecule that can bind to and inhibit two different proteins linked to cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and inflammation, offering a potential therapeutic approach for treating multiple diseases concurrently. The molecule, called a dual inhibitor, targets both the protein kinase CK2 and the bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4). CK2 is known to promote cancer cell growth and survival, while BRD4 is involved in the regulation of gene expression and has been linked to a variety of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and rheumatoid arthritis.

UC Berkeley engineers develop new method to 3D print soft, stretchable circuits

Engineers at UC Berkeley have developed a new method for 3D printing soft, stretchable circuits that could be used in wearable electronics, soft robotics, and other applications where flexibility is important. The method, called PRINT-SEL (printable stretchable electronics), uses a custom-designed 3D printer to deposit a layer of liquid silicone rubber onto a substrate. The silicone rubber is then cured with ultraviolet light, which cross-links the polymer chains and creates a strong, elastic material. To create the circuits, the researchers used a second 3D printer to deposit a layer of conductive ink onto the silicone rubber. The conductive ink is made from a mixture of silver nanoparticles and a polymer binder, and it can be patterned to create any desired circuit design.

UC Berkeley scientists discover new mechanism for regulating gene expression

Scientists at UC Berkeley have discovered a new mechanism for regulating gene expression that could lead to new treatments for diseases such as cancer and diabetes. The mechanism involves a protein called ZMYND11, which binds to DNA and recruits other proteins that modify the chromatin, the DNA-protein complex that packages the genome. By modifying the chromatin, ZMYND11 can either activate or repress gene expression. The researchers found that ZMYND11 is overexpressed in a variety of cancers, where it promotes the expression of genes that drive cancer cell growth and survival. Conversely, ZMYND11 is underexpressed in diabetes, where it represses the expression of genes that are involved in insulin signaling.