Publications by authors named "R Heald"
Single-molecule diffusivity quantification in egg extracts elucidates physicochemical properties of the cytoplasm.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
December 2024
Article Synopsis
- The study investigated the unique molecular environment of living cells by analyzing the diffusion of various proteins in cytoplasmic extracts from eggs using a technique called single-molecule displacement/diffusivity mapping (SMM).
- It was found that negatively charged proteins diffused about 50% slower, while positively charged proteins showed a much greater reduction in diffusion by 80-90%, suggesting strong electrostatic interactions in the predominantly negatively charged cytoplasm.
- The research also identified that the presence of RNA and cytoskeletal components, like actin, significantly affects protein diffusion and viscosity, indicating the complex interactions at play within the crowded cellular environment.
One of the hallmarks of cancer is high levels of DNA replication stress and defects in the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways, which are critical for maintaining genomic integrity. Ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein (ATR) is a key regulator of the DDR machinery and an attractive therapeutic target, with multiple ATR inhibitors holding significant promise in ongoing clinical studies. Herein, we describe the discovery and characterization of ART0380 (), a potent and selective ATR inhibitor with a compelling in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile currently undergoing Phase 2 clinical studies in patients with advanced or metastatic solid tumors as monotherapy and in combination with DNA-damaging agents (NCT04657068 and NCT05798611).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: In the past 30 years, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has made remarkable progress and has become the standard of care in colorectal cancer treatment. The implementation of new techniques or platforms is, therefore, a challenge for surgical teams. This study aims to analyze the experience in the implementation of minimally invasive surgery in the colorectal unit in a specialized colorectal cancer center.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Structured training programs for robotic colorectal surgery are limited, and there are concerns about surgical outcomes and operating times.
Objective: To compare perioperative and oncological outcomes of robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer performed by expert consultants and surgical trainees in a modular surgical training program.
Design: Retrospective cohort study.
Article Synopsis
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common global concern, prompting research into defining methods for characterizing its tissues; this study examines the autofluorescence of colorectal tissues from 73 patients post-surgery.
- The research utilized an advanced optical imaging system to analyze the autofluorescence characteristics of collagens, NAD(P)H, and flavins, revealing key differences between normal, adenomatous, and cancerous tissues linked to the underlying clinicopathological features.
- Findings show that changes in autofluorescence signatures, influenced by tumor characteristics and treatment effects, suggest potential for these measurements to improve CRC clinical practices from diagnosis to management and future research directions.