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Hans Clevers, MD, PhD Professor Hans Clevers, MD, PhD, is a professor at the Hubrecht Institute, which is an institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) in the Dutch city of Utrecht. His group studies the molecular mechanisms of tissue development and cancer of various organs using organoids. His pioneering research on the developmental signaling pathway and led his group to major discoveries in the cancer and stem cell fields, ultimately resulting in technologies to grow human stem cells into mini-organs (organoids) in a dish. His research accomplishments have been recognized with the Louis Jeantet Prize and the Breakthrough Prize in Life Sciences, amongst many others. In March 2022, Hans was named head of the Roche Pharmaceutical Research and Early Development, a position he…

PD-AGE roadmap calls for older, standardized preclinical models to better reflect the biology of an age-driven disease. A new roadmap published in npj Parkinson’s Disease is asking a deceptively simple question: what if we allowed our models of Parkinson’s disease to age? Developed by the PD-AGE consortium with support from The Michael J Fox Foundation, the paper lays out practical guidance for integrating aging biology into preclinical Parkinson’s research – from model selection to standardized endpoints – with the aim of improving translational reliability. An estimated one million Americans live with Parkinson’s, with global numbers exceeding ten million and rising…

Molecular structure of the leukemia protein ENL in the degradation complex introduced by the molecular glue dHTC1 [Miquel Muñoz] Cells monitor and recycle their proteins through a tightly regulated waste-disposal system. Proteins that are no longer needed are tagged and broken down by specialized cellular machinery. Recent advances in drug discovery seek to exploit this system by redirecting it toward disease-relevant targets. One strategy relies on molecular glues—small molecules that induce interactions between proteins that would not normally bind to each other. If a disease-causing protein can be brought into contact with a cellular degradation enzyme, it is selectively eliminated…

Gut microbiome-related interventions for the management of disorders of gut-brain interaction were on the agenda of NeuroGASTRO 2025. In this video interview, Dr. Juan M. Mendive delves into the role of the gut microbiome for improving outcomes of primary care patients with IBS. Disorders of gut-brain interaction (DGBI), previously known as functional gastrointestinal disorders (eg, functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome), are commonly encountered in primary care and their management can often be challenging1. The gut microbiome could offer a new perspective for the primary care clinician to better help patients with DGBI2, particularly given patients’ high interest in dietary…

Fujifilm Biotechnologies celebrated the grand opening of its expanded site in Teesside, UK. Funded through a total investment of approximately £400m ($545m) from Fujifilm Corp., Japan, the expansion reportedly includes the opening of the largest single-use biopharmaceutical CDMO facility in the UK, located at the existing Fujifilm Biotechnologies site. The UK expansion represents the newest addition to Fujifilm Biotechnologies’ global manufacturing network and introduces 2,000 L and 5,000 L single-use bioreactors with a total capacity up to 19,000 L to provide small- and mid-scale antibody manufacturing, with the flexibility to expand to support customer programs as needed. The 110,000 sq. ft.…

Geromedicine Conference at NUS to focus on translating geroscience into personalized care, startup innovation and real-world pathways. Longevity science has reached an awkward adolescence. The mechanisms are persuasive, the preclinical data dense and the biomarker panels multiplying; yet the clinic still asks a simpler question – what do I do with the patient in front of me? That tension will sit at the heart of the Geromedicine Conference, hosted by the NUS Academy for Healthy Longevity on 26–27 February 2026 at the Shaw Foundation Alumni House in Singapore. Framed around clinical translation, personalized care and implementation, the meeting brings together…

In the world of culinary classifications, few questions spark as much debate as whether fish is fish meat. Depending on who you ask—a biologist, a Catholic priest, a nutritionist, or a chef—you are likely to receive vastly different answers. This confusion stems from the fact that “meat” is a term that operates in three distinct realms: the scientific, the religious, and the linguistic. While we often group beef, pork, and poultry under the umbrella of “meat,” fish frequently occupies a separate category in our minds and on our menus. This distinction is so ingrained in our culture that “Meatless Fridays”…

Fish oil is one of the most researched and widely consumed supplements in the world, and for good reason. From the shelves of local pharmacies to the prescriptions of cardiologists, this golden liquid is praised for its high concentration of Omega-3 fatty acids. But with so much information available, many people are left wondering: what is fish oil good for, and does everyone actually need to take it? The human body is capable of many things, but it cannot produce essential Omega-3 fatty acids on its own. These polyunsaturated fats must be obtained through the diet—primarily from oily fish like…

If you have ever sat in a doctor’s office discussing a “lipid panel” or blood work results, chances are the topic of Omega-3 fatty acids came up. For decades, fish oil has been touted as a miracle supplement for heart health, leading millions of people to ask: Does fish oil lower cholesterol? The answer, however, is more nuanced than a simple “yes” or “no.” While the general public often lumps all blood fats under the umbrella of “cholesterol,” medical science distinguishes between several types, including LDL (bad cholesterol), HDL (good cholesterol), and triglycerides. Fish oil has a profound impact on…

Credit: iStock/dml5050 Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have found that protecting a subset of immune cells in visceral fat tissue can improve insulin sensitivity and may offer a new path for treating type 2 diabetes. The research, published in Nature Communications, found a special type of “good” immune cell in visceral fat tissue, VAT macrophages, that reduce inflammation, limit fat expansion and improve glucose tolerance in mouse models. “One-third of our population is obese or overweight—over the next decade or so, obesity will drive increasing rates of many chronic diseases, including diabetes,” said senior author Partha…