A new candidate compound against inflammatory disorders

A new candidate compound against inflammatory disorders


Eight years ago researchers in Berlin discovered that polymorphonuclear leukocytes, shortly neutrophils can, in additon to internalization, kill microbes extracellularly by releasing so called Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs). These web-like structures consist of nuclear chromatin that is decorated with proteases, antimicrobial peptides and pro-inflammatory proteins. Early on it has been suggested that these NETs serve a beneficial role during acute infections. However, there is an increasing body of evidence that NETs additionally have hazardous effects in inflammation-related disorders, such as Small Vessel Vasculitis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus or Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury. It is therefore crucial to find new phamacological inhibitors of NET formation that might be future therapeutics for these diseases.

The UCMR research group of Constantin Urban has now found out that the membrane-permeable radical scavenger 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (Tempol) efficiently inhibits NET release. This compound has very low toxicity and is already in clinical trials as prophylaxis against radiation damage. Tempol is therefore a very promising candidate as anti-NET therapy. The work has been recently published in the Journal Frontiers in Immunology (link: http://www.frontiersin.org/Molecular_Innate_Immunity/10.3389/fimmu.2012.00391/abstract ).



Cancerfonden supports two UCMR group leaders

Cancerfonden supports two UCMR group leaders

Cancerfonden is the biggest single financier for the Swedish cancer science and decided to award amongst others two UCMR groups and their research projects.

Read more: Cancerfonden supports two UCMR group leaders

The Swedish Research Council awards UCMR groups

The Swedish Research Council awards UCMR groups

The Swedish Research Council's divisions for natural and engineering sciences as well as medicine and health have awarded several grants for UCMR group leaders and their research projects.

Read more: The Swedish Research Council awards UCMR groups

Can Francisella tularensis bacteria be starved to death in host cells?

Can Francisella tularensis bacteria be starved to death in host cells?

To limit the access to specific nutrients in host cells could be a successful strategy to avoid diseases caused by some aggressive bacteria, such as tularemia-causing bacteria. This
shows a cooperation between the group of Anders Sjöstedt, Department of Clinical Microbiology and their colleagues in USA.

playPress release Umeå University (in Swedish)

UCMR Postdoc Mini-Symposium

UCMR Mini-Symposium - Postdoc Seminars IMG_hrsal

15 October 2012,  13.00-16.30
Stora hörsalen, KB3B1, KBC

We are glad to tell that this year's UCMR Postdoc Seminar Day attracted a large number of participants from various departments within the UCMR. We would like to thank all speakers for an interesting overview of their research projects! You all made this afternoon successful.



 

Metabolomics Discussion Meeting

Metabolomics Discussion Meeting, 24-25 October 2012, Umeå University
The aim of the meeting is to gather people in Sweden using metabolomics approaches in their work.
The Meeting is organised by the metabolomics core at CLiC

Date: 24-25 October
Place: BiA 201, Biologihuset

Registration and contact:

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Read more: Metabolomics Discussion Meeting

The quest for antibiotics

The quest for new antibiotics is continuing in the deep oceans off the coast of Svalbard. this is where the university of Tromsø finds the bacteria on which further research is being done at Umeå University.

playPress release Umeå University (in English)

The battle against ticks

2011 was a record year. In 2011 there were 284 people in Sweden who contracted tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) – a virus that can cause meningitis and inflict permanent injury.

playpress release Umeå University (in English)

The explorer Sun Nyunt Wai

Step by step, Sun Nyunt Wai has made pioneering discoveries in her studies of pathogenic bacteria. One 
of these is Vibrio cholerae, an infectious organism that causes cholera, a lethal epidemic disease.

playpress release Umeå University (in English)