Ana Rodríguez, Author at Baylor College of Medicine Blog Network

This two-step approach can expedite finding answers to complex genetic conditions

November 16, 2017 animal model, Autism, cell line, HIPK2, MeCP2 duplication syndrome, neurodevelopmental disorders, Neurological disorders, PP2A

To function normally, the human brain requires the right amount of a number of proteins, including MeCP2. Having twice the normal amount of MeCP2, the

From The Labs

Muscle’s path to maturity follows the alternative splicing way

November 14, 2017 alternative splicing, calcineurin A, calcium-handling proteins, muscle development, muscular disorders, muscular dystrophy

Compare the skeletal muscles of a newborn with those of an adult. While the former can barely move the body, adult muscles can perform record

From The Labs

More than an anticoagulant; heparin also promotes appetite in mice

November 9, 2017 AgRP neurons, anticoagulant, appetite control, heparin, hypothalamus, weight control, weight gain

Naturally-produced heparin is well-known for its role as an anticoagulant. Heparin is also widely used as a medication to prevent blood clotting. “In addition to

From The Labs

Image of the Month: The underappreciated astrocyte

November 8, 2017 astrocyte, brain cancer, glial cells, Neurological disorders

The brain has billions of cells of which only 30 percent are neurons. Astrocytes are the predominant cell type of the remaining 70 percent. Surprisingly,

From The Labs

Device that induces a mild localized ‘fever’ could treat vascular involvement in cancer

November 2, 2017 CorleyWare device, hyperthermia, Innovation in cancer treatment, innovative technology, Metastasis, pancreatic cancer, positive margin

The prognosis of a cancer patient relies significantly on the ability of the surgeon to remove all the tumor, including a cancer-free boundary, leaving what

From The Labs

Next-generation probiotics might join the fight against gut bacterial infections

October 31, 2017 C. difficile, fecal transplant, Gastrointestinal diseases, good bacteria, L. reuteri, probiotics

Clostridium difficile infections are the most common cause of diarrhea associated with the use of antibiotics. If these bacteria attempt to invade the human gut,

From The Labs

Lunatic Fringe gene and the renewable brain

October 30, 2017 hippocampus, Lunatic Fringe, neural sem cells, neurons, Notch signaling, Renewable brain

The discovery that the brain can generate new cells – about 700 new neurons each day – has triggered investigations to uncover how this process

From The Labs

A powerful, fast experimental approach identifies potentially safer substitutes for BPA

October 27, 2017 Bisphenol A, BPA, Cancer, high throroughput technologies, Integrated Microscopy Core, non-estrogenic compounds

Health concerns about bisphenol A (BPA), or BPA substitutes, have emerged because, according to a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, BPA is widespread in