In the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii(T. gondii) Whitehead Member Sebastian Lourido studies, he has identified key components of the ATP synthase which differ from that of humans. These differences underscore the unique biology of T. gondii and highlight the dissimilarities between them and their human hosts.
Naama Kanarek, a postdoctoral researcher in the lab of Whitehead Member David Sabatini, explains how new genetic tools are allowing insights into the sensitivity of cancer cells to methotrexate and discusses how research might help address some of the challenges of methotrexate chemotherapy treatment.
Whitehead Institute scientists have found evidence that the apparatus that transcribes DNA into RNA is concentrated into specialized droplets, or “condensates”, at genes that control cell identity.
Whitehead's David Sabatini discusses mTOR, a protein connecting metabolism, nutrition, and disease and the current research in his lab investigating the mTOR pathway and its role in cancer, diabetes, and aging.
Whitehead Member David Sabatini has identified the methionine sensor in the mTOR pathway, which is a crucial metabolic pathway in cells. His work provides interesting data suggesting that the anti-aging and anti-diabetes effects of low methionine and mTOR inhibition may be connected.