The Milliwatt March 2005

March, 2005

A Morse code for human cells

Morse code is a simple, effective and clear method of communication and now scientists believe that cells in our body may also be using patterns of signals to switch genes on and off. The discovery may have major implications for the pharmaceutical industry as the signaling molecules that are targeted by drugs may have more than one purpose. The number of ‘dots and dashes’ being used by each signal could have different purposes, all of which could be modified by a drug. The researchers, funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and working at the Universities of Liverpool and Manchester and the Royal Liverpool Children’s Hospital, in collaboration with scientists at Astra Zeneca and Pfizer, have studied transcription factors, the signaling molecules inside cells that activate or deactivate genes. They found that the strength of the signal is less important than the dynamic frequency pattern that is used. Professor Michael White of the Centre for Cell Imaging at Liverpool and leader of the research group said, “The timing of the repeating signal is essential for its interpretation. It seems that cells may read the oscillations in level of transcription factors in a similar way to Morse code. ”The researchers focused on the response of a transcription factor involved in controlling the crucial processes of cell division and cell death. They found that the dynamics of the signaling molecule resemble the changes in calcium levels that encode other messages in cells. The results suggest how common signaling molecules could convey different messages through different frequencies. Professor Douglas Kell, who sits on BBSRC Council and is a member of the research team, said, “This raises new challenges for drug designers. It appears that simply aiming to knock down signaling molecules with drugs, as many people are trying to do, may have weak or even undesirable effects as a range of signals could be cancelled out. It is going to be important in the future to decode the Morse-like messages from the molecules to make sure that only the desired effects are blocked.”Professor Julia Goodfellow, BBSRC Chief Executive, said, “This research is an example of a multi-disciplinary approach producing vitally important results. By combining expertise in cell biology, chemistry, mathematical modelling and bio-imaging the research team have discovered this coded signal that is going to inform the development of better, more effective drugs.” [BBSRC via eham.net]

Historic Lab

The Columbia University lab where Edwin Howard Armstrong developed FM radio technology in the 1930s has been given National Historic Landmark status. Armstrong's technology, which gave radio a clearer signal than the AM band, had its public debut in 1939, though FM wouldn't become widely popular for another three decades. An electronics whiz, Armstrong conducted much of his radio research for military purposes - specifically, to enhance U.S. military communications in World Wars I and II. He had a frustrating time, however, with FM. He fought much of his life to keep the rights to his invention and finally committed suicide in 1951 when it seemed he had lost them. His wife kept battling and eventually prevailed in court. http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/ent_radio/story/267054p-228767c.html [HCDX]

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Tuesday, March 8, 2005
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March, 2005

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