Ana Rodríguez, Author at Baylor College of Medicine Blog Network

Image of the Month: A closer look at metastatic medulloblastoma

May 6, 2025 blood vessels, brain cancer, fibroblasts, medulloblastoma, meninges, Metastasis, Research, tumor microenvironment

The image captures metastatic medulloblastoma tumor cells (green) intertwined with blood vessels (magenta) in the leptomeninges of a mouse model of the human condition.

From The Labs

Partners in crime: Metastatic medulloblastoma recruits local fibroblasts to support its spread and growth

May 1, 2025 BMP, brain cancer, fibroblast, leptomeninges, medulloblastoma, Metastasis, PDGF, Research, tumor microenvironment

This novel discovery shows how tumor and non-tumor cells work together to create an environment that backs up cancer growth.

From The Labs

Being in the right place at the right time reveals key placental response to COVID-19

April 29, 2025 COVID-19, human placenta, preeclampsia, Pregnancy, Research, stress response, syncytiotrophoblast

Comparing placental responses in COVID-19 and preeclampsia revealed similarities that may help explain the overlapping presentation of these clinical syndromes.

From The Labs

Estrogen and the brain team up to help mothers adapt to the metabolic demands of nursing

April 24, 2025 estrogen, estrogen receptor alpha neurons, hypothalamus, lactation, metabolism regulation, nursing, prolactin, Research

The findings could help understand hyperprolactinemia – high levels of prolactin in the blood – obesity, menopause and other conditions where prolactin or estrogen levels shift.

From The Labs

Fatty acids promote immune suppression and therapy resistance in triple negative breast cancer

April 22, 2025 immune suppression, lipids, neutrophils, Omega-6 fatty acids, Research, triple-negative breast cancer, tumor microenvironment

The researchers show that disrupting lipid formulation reverses treatment resistance and the immunosuppressive microenvironment.

From The Labs

Motion sickness brain circuit may provide new options for treating obesity

April 17, 2025 body temperature regulation, glutamatergic neurons, metabolic balance, motion sickness, Obesity, Research

A better understanding of how the brain regulates body temperature during motion sickness may provide unconventional targets for the treatment of obesity.