Study uncovers inherited genetic susceptibility across 12 cancer types
In a new analysis, researchers at the School of Medicine have shed light on the hereditary elements across 12 cancer types — showing a surprising inherited component to stomach cancer and providing some needed clarity on the consequences of certain types of mutations in well-known breast cancer susceptibility genes BRCA1 and BRCA2.
Stomach cells naturally revert to stem cells
Scientists from the School of Medicine and in the Netherlands have found that a class of specialized cells in the stomach reverts to stem cells more often than researchers had thought. One or more chief cells, which normally make digestive juices in the stomach, have changed into a stem cell in the image shown.
Brain-building gene plays key role in gut repair
A gene with a colorful name – mindbomb 1 – plays a key role far beyond the brain. New research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis shows that mindbomb 1 may
be involved in repairing cells injured by infection or inflammation in
the stomach and pancreas. Researchers also found hints that mindbomb 1 may have connections to cancer in those organs.