August 2026: A cross-section of recent ICGEB scientific publications.
From ICGEB Trieste:
Published in Science – co-authors Dr. Lucía López, Dr. Giulia Maria Piperno, Dr. Federica Benvenuti, Cellular Immunology Group: Dendritic cells control tertiary lymphoid structure development and maintenance in cancer. This study highlights the crucial role of a specialized type of dendritic cell, known as cDC1, in both the formation and long-term maintenance of functional tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) within tumors. The researchers found that mature cDC1s help sustain these structures by presenting tumor-related antigens to both CD4+ helper T cells and CD8+ killer T cells, thereby supporting coordinated anti-tumor immune responses. The findings suggest that therapies designed to enhance or target cDC1 function could strengthen TLS activity and improve the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight cancer.
Published in Molecular Therapy Advances – authors Mouse Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology Development Groups: Rapamycin nanoparticles mitigate anti-AAV antibody formation in a mouse model of ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. The researchers investigated whether combining adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy with ImmTOR, an immune-modulating treatment, could help address one of the main obstacles to repeated AAV dosing: the body’s immune response. They found that co-administration of ImmTOR prevented the production of IgM and IgG antibodies against the AAV vector and reduced levels of neutralizing antibodies in a dose-dependent manner. The findings suggest that ImmTOR may help overcome immune barriers that currently limit the re-administration of AAV-based gene therapies. Although additional research and optimization will be needed before this approach can be applied clinically, the results highlight a promising strategy for improving the long-term use of AAV gene therapies, particularly in pediatric patients.
Published in Cells – co-authors Dr. Raffaella Klima and Dr. Luca Braga, Functional Cell Biology Group: Stepwise Translational Validation of the Screening Hit Desipramine Reveals Limits of Fibroblast-State Modulation in Lung Fibrosis. The researchers investigated desipramine, a long-established antidepressant, to determine whether it could influence the behavior of fibroblasts, the cells that contribute to scar formation in the lungs. In simplified laboratory cell cultures, desipramine appeared to promote a healthier cellular state and reduce characteristics associated with tissue scarring. However, these encouraging effects were not consistently reproduced in more advanced experimental models, including three-dimensional human lung tissue samples and animal models of disease.
Published in Small Methods – authors Dr. Denis Rajnovic, Dr. Tea Carletti and Dr. Alessandro Marcello, Molecular Virology Group: Native Label-Free Spectral Biochemical Fingerprinting of an Enveloped Mammalian RNA Virus Reveals Mode of Action of a Virucidal Drug. The researchers developed a new method that can analyze the biochemical makeup of virus particles without altering them or adding labels or markers. This non-invasive approach provides a detailed biochemical “fingerprint” of viruses, offering new insights into their composition. The findings could help scientists gain a deeper understanding of how viruses are structured and how different treatments or conditions can render them inactive. By providing a new way to study viruses, this approach may contribute to improved pandemic preparedness and the development of more effective antiviral strategies.
Published in Frontiers in Microbiology – co-author Dr. Mariagrazia Di Luca, Group Leader, Antimicrobial Resistance: Characterization of novel mycobacteriophages with a focus on phage Pisa4 and its interaction with human innate immune cells. The researchers isolated four mycobacteriophages: Pisa1, Pisa4, Florence1, and Florence4, classified as new species, expanding our knowledge of the diversity of viruses that target bacteria. Among them, Pisa4 emerged as a particularly promising candidate for therapeutic applications because it appears to have a reduced ability to enter a dormant state within bacterial cells. The researchers therefore examined how Pisa4 interacts with THP-1 macrophages, a type of immune cell commonly used to study human immune responses. The results suggest that the Pisa phages, and Pisa4 in particular, have strong potential for future development as antibacterial therapies.
Published in Biosensors (Basel) – co-author Dr. Emanuele Buratti, Group Leader, Molecular Pathology: Functional Activity of TDP-43: A Direct Biomarker for ALS. The researchers developed a new blood test that measures the activity of TDP-43, a protein strongly linked to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found that TDP-43 activity was generally higher in people with ALS than in healthy controls, suggesting that the test can distinguish between the two groups with reasonable accuracy. The researchers also saw that higher TDP-43 activity tended to be associated with worse physical function, although this relationship was modest and not consistently significant across all patient cohorts. The elevated TDP-43 signal detected in blood is thought to reflect the release of the protein from damaged or dying cells, rather than a recovery of its normal function inside cells. This makes the assay a potentially useful way of tracking disease-related biological changes through a simple blood sample. While the test is not yet accurate enough to diagnose individuals on its own, it provides an important proof of concept that TDP-43 activity can be measured directly in blood. With further validation, the approach could help researchers identify different ALS subtypes, monitor disease progression, and support the development and evaluation of new therapies.
Published in Nature Communications – co-author ICGEB Trieste alumnus Dr. Sanjeev K. Waghmare: Histone methylation defines c-Jun/Sox2/Hif1α axis that controls stemness and tumor progression in squamous cell carcinoma. The researchers analysed the complete pattern of gene activity in cancer stem cells from patients with skin Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). They found that epigenetic regulation, cell signaling, and metabolism work together to support cancer stem cells in both skin and oral SCC. The researchers then tested a combined treatment which reduced the stem-like characteristics of cancer cells, and decreased their ability to form and sustain tumors. Overall, the study suggests that targeting these interconnected biological pathways with a combination of DAC and RAC1i could represent a promising therapeutic strategy for patients with skin and oral squamous cell carcinoma, potentially improving treatment outcomes by limiting the activity of cancer stem cells.
From ICGEB New Delhi:
Published in Frontiers in Genome Editing – authors Nutritional Improvement of Crops Group: From recalcitrance to precision: a robust regeneration, transformation and targeted gene editing framework in Cajanus cajan. The researchers sought to report an improved protocol for calli production, in vitro regeneration, and a CRISPR-mediated genome editing of the phytoene desaturase (PDS) gene via a biolistic-mediated transformation system in the pigeonpea (Cajanus cajan) legume. The optimised approach can be utilised in the future to generate marker-free genome-edited plants, addressing biosafety concerns and facilitating the acceptance and commercialization of genetically improved crops.
Published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules – authors Dr. Arvind Kumar, Dr. Babbal Reehal and Dr. Syed Shams Yazdani, Microbial Engineering Group: Weighted sum matrix approach and proteomics insights identify a broad spectrum hyper-cellulolytic and thermostable enzyme concoction from Talaromyces marneffei. The researchers identified a superior cellulolytic fungus from a diverse collection of natural isolates, which revealed Talaromyces marneffei as a previously unreported hyper-cellulolytic organism. The T. marneffei secretome exhibited nearly two-fold higher biomass saccharification efficiency than a commercial enzyme preparation under industrially relevant conditions. The study highlights T. marneffei as a promising source of industrially relevant lignocellulolytic enzymes and demonstrates the value of proteomics-driven secretome analysis for enzyme discovery.
Published in BMC Plant Biology – authors Plant RNAi Biology Group: Small RNA sequencing reveals drought-responsive microRNAs and regulatory networks in roots of mungbean genotypes differing in drought tolerance. The study identified drought-responsive miRNAs and elucidated their regulatory roles in contrasting mungbean genotypes under drought stress. The identified drought-responsive miRNAs along with their target genes indicate potential molecular candidates for enhancing drought resistance and could aid in the creation of climate-resilient mungbean varieties through molecular breeding and biotechnological methods.
Published in Frontiers in Immunology – authors ICGEB-Emory Vaccine Programme: Shared germline-biased plasmablast clonotypes shape early neutralizing antibody responses during acute Chikungunya virus infection. The researchers found that many of the early antibody responses to Chikungunya appear to be germline-biased, meaning they are generated from antibody genes that remain very close to their original inherited form and require relatively little further adaptation. They also observed similar antibody characteristics across different individuals, suggesting that the immune system tends to produce comparable antibody responses to the virus. These findings provide new insight into the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underpin the body’s early antibody-mediated defense against the Chikungunya virus. Understanding how these protective immune responses develop could help guide the design of more effective vaccines and antibody-based therapies.
Published in Pharmaceuticals (Basel) – co-author Dr. Pannaga Pavan Jutur, Group Leader, Omics of Algae: In Silico Investigation of Phytochemicals from Djiboutian Plants Targeting Sulfate and Phosphate Transporters Involved in Dichromate Uptake. This study identifies naturally occurring phytochemicals, particularly cyclohexanepropanoic acid, as promising competitive inhibitors of dichromate transport in plants. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for developing sustainable phytochemical-based strategies to mitigate chromium accumulation in crops and support future experimental validation.
Published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences – authors Dr. Ayushi Gupta and Dr. Suresh Nair, Plant-Insect Interaction Group: Microbiome-Epigenome Interplay Impacts Microbial Symbiosis and Stress Adaptations in the Brown Planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens). The researchers used the brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens; BPH) to explore microbiome-epigenome interactions and evaluate its impact on BPH survivability under environmental stress. The results highlight new research avenues into the molecular mechanisms of symbiont-enabled herbivory and have implications for future studies on the relationship between gut microbiota and epigenetic mechanisms, the evolution of these processes and their effects on insect-plant interactions in changing environments.
From ICGEB Cape Town:
Published in the British Journal of Surgery – co-author Dr. Luiz Zerbini, Group Leader, Cancer Genomics: Global disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma outcomes: a multicentre study. The researchers conducted a comparative cohort study of adult patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treated from 2012 to 2023 in a referral centre in South Africa and in a referral centre in Sweden. The main and secondary outcomes were overall survival and treatment-specific survival respectively. Marked disparities in disease presentation, access to treatment, and survival were observed between regions.
Published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases – collaborator Dr. Kehinde Adewole Oyeniran, Posdoctoral Fellow, Plant Systems Biology Lab: Global, regional, and national burden of tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis by HIV status, 1990-2023: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2023. Using results from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2023, this study assessed the burden of Tuberculosis (TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) across 204 countries and territories, and to evaluate progress towards the WHO End TB incidence and mortality targets.