May 2026: A cross-section of recent ICGEB scientific publications.
From ICGEB Trieste:
Published in Nat Commun: Structural flexibility of the human vault particle revealed by high-resolution cryo-EM and molecular dynamics simulations. Vaults are large structures found in human and other complex cells, but their exact role has remained unclear. This study shows that vaults are flexible and can switch between different shapes, almost like “breathing.” Researchers combined advanced imaging and computer simulations to understand how these shape changes happen. They identified key molecular contacts that help vaults assemble and remain stable. These findings improve understanding of how vaults may transport molecules inside cells. Other publications from the Cardiovascular Biology Group this month: Mol Med: Cardiomyocyte fusion contributes to cardiac hypertrophy in adult hearts, and J. Transl. Med: Why promising ATMPs fail to reach patients: a qualitative stakeholder-informed analysis of cell therapy access in Europe.
Published in Semin Cancer Biol: The biology and evolution of Richter transformation in chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Richter transformation is a serious complication where chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) suddenly changes into an aggressive lymphoma. Although uncommon, it is difficult to treat and is linked to specific high-risk genetic changes. Researchers are uncovering how genetic instability and immune system evasion drive this transformation. Evidence suggests the process may begin years before symptoms appear. Better biological understanding and new experimental models could help improve earlier detection and future treatments.
Published in ISME Journal: Advancing microbial ecology, microbiomes, and One Health in Africa: From regional initiatives to pan-African flagship programs. African microbiome research is key to improving health, agriculture, and environmental resilience. Progress is growing, but research remains fragmented and reliant on external support. The study calls for stronger Africa-led collaborations and continent-specific microbiome databases. Improved research capacity and data sharing could improve disease control, food security, and climate-resilient farming. Africa’s rich microbial diversity also offers major potential for new medicines and sustainable agriculture.
Published in Mol Ther: A reproducible and physiologically relevant human iPSC-derived platform for in vitro modeling of the neurocardiac junction. Researchers developed a new laboratory model that connects human heart cells with nerve cells controlling heart activity. The system successfully reproduced how nerves regulate heart beating and respond to stimulation. The model also showed how drugs such as beta-blockers can modify these heart–nerve interactions. This provides a more realistic way to study how the nervous system influences heart disease. The platform could help improve future research on cardiac disorders and drug development.
Published in Front Immunol: Proteomic profiling of circulating extracellular vesicles from COVID-19 patients and their impact on innate Vdelta2 T-cell response. Researchers investigated how tiny particles released into the blood during COVID-19 influence the immune system. These particles, called extracellular vesicles, carry signals from infected cells that may affect disease severity. The study focused on their interaction with γδ T cells, important immune cells involved in inflammation and antiviral defense. Scientists compared vesicles from patients with mild and severe COVID-19 to understand how they differ. The findings could help explain why some people develop more serious inflammatory responses during infection.
From ICGEB New Delhi:
Published in Aging: Host immunosenescence compromises Mycobacterium tuberculosis clearance. Older adults are more vulnerable to tuberculosis (TB), partly because the immune system becomes less effective with age. In this study, researchers investigated how ageing affects the body’s ability to clear Mycobacterium tuberculosis during antibiotic treatment. Using young, old, and aged mice, they found that although infection levels were initially similar across age groups, older mice were slower to eliminate the bacteria from their lungs after treatment with standard TB drugs. Further analysis revealed age-related changes in immune cell populations and signs of disrupted mitochondrial function in activated T cells, suggesting that ageing alters the metabolic processes that support effective immune responses. These findings indicate that immunometabolic dysfunction may contribute to poorer TB treatment outcomes in older individuals and highlight new opportunities to improve therapy by targeting age-related changes in immune cell metabolism.
Published in J Exp Bot: OsLdh3 interacts with OsGAPC3 and OsLos2 to maintain the glycolytic continuum for tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses in rice. Researchers discovered that a rice enzyme called OsLdh3 helps plants cope better with environmental stresses such as harsh climate conditions. The enzyme improves how rice plants produce and manage energy, helping cells stay balanced under stress. Rice plants engineered to produce more OsLdh3 showed stronger growth, better photosynthesis, and lower damage from harmful molecules. These plants also maintained higher productivity despite stressful conditions. The findings suggest OsLdh3 could help develop climate-resilient rice varieties with more stable crop yields.
Published in Plant Physiol Biochem: Cross-species expression of OsDJ-1C from rice enhances tolerance to salinity and drought stress in tomato. Researchers identified a rice enzyme, OsDJ-1C, that helps plants survive drought and high salt conditions. The enzyme removes a toxic compound that builds up in plants during environmental stress. Tomato plants engineered with this rice gene showed stronger antioxidant defenses and lower cellular damage. These plants also maintained better energy production and respiration under stressful conditions. The findings suggest OsDJ-1C could help develop more climate-resilient crops and support future food security.
Published in Elife: LFA-1 interaction with GBP-130 on Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells mediates NK cell activation and parasite control. Researchers have identified a key molecular interaction that helps the immune system recognise malaria-infected red blood cells. The study shows that glycophorin binding protein-130 (PfGBP-130), a protein displayed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum-infected red blood cells, binds to the immune receptor LFA-1 on natural killer (NK) cells. This interaction promotes NK cell activation, enhances the release of cytotoxic molecules, and facilitates the destruction of infected cells. Blocking PfGBP-130 significantly reduced these immune responses, confirming its role in NK cell-mediated defense against malaria. These findings provide new insight into how the innate immune system detects malaria infection and identify PfGBP-130 as a potential target for future strategies to strengthen natural immunity to the disease.
From the ICGEB China Regional Research Centre (RRC)
Published in Cell Chem Biol: Engineered pistol ribozymes selectively target KRAS G12V with enhanced efficacy by capping modification. KRAS is a gene that controls cell growth, and mutations in it can drive cancers such as lung, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. Researchers engineered a special RNA molecule, called a pistol ribozyme, to precisely target one cancer-causing KRAS mutation. Unlike existing approaches, the ribozyme recognises the mutation through its 3D structure, improving accuracy. The study also identified a way to make the ribozyme more stable for potential medical use. These findings highlight the promise of ribozymes as future targeted cancer treatments.