This research engineers DNA-modified exosomes to deliver drugs precisely to cancer cells while avoiding healthy tissue. By disguising natural cell-targeting signals and adding programmable DNA targeting molecules, the platform could reduce treatment side effects and provide a modular delivery system adaptable to many cancers and other diseases.

This research investigates whether the diabetes drug dapagliflozin (DAPA) can be repurposed to treat metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Using laboratory models, it examines fat accumulation and NHE1 ion channel function, aiming to develop a cost-effective treatment for two closely linked metabolic diseases with one existing medicine.

This research investigates salivary gland damage caused by radiation therapy, disease and ageing. Focusing on cellular regulation, she identifies XBP1 as a key “manager” maintaining gland structure, cell survival and saliva production. Understanding this mechanism could guide future therapies for patients living with painful, incurable salivary gland dysfunction.

This research investigates the genetic mechanisms underlying polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition affecting one in ten women and the leading cause of female infertility. By studying thousands of genetic variants across multiple cell types, the project aims to identify the biological causes of PCOS and develop targeted treatments.

This research investigates how cells select which protein fragments, or peptides, to display to the immune system. Contrary to previous assumptions, peptide presentation appears highly curated rather than random. Understanding these selection rules could improve cancer immunotherapy, enhance antiviral treatments, and provide new insights into autoimmune diseases.

This research investigates how SUMO protein labeling regulates DNA repair after damage caused by sunlight and other stresses. Using yeast as a model organism, the study shows that SUMO helps recruit and remove repair proteins at damaged DNA sites. Understanding these signaling mechanisms may improve cancer prevention and treatment strategies.

This research investigates the protein SLX4, a key coordinator of DNA repair. Using complementary techniques, it identifies 221 interacting proteins, most previously unknown. Findings reveal a complex network involved in genome maintenance, offering new insights into cellular repair mechanisms and improving understanding of diseases such as cancer.

Cells maintain health by recycling damaged components through autophagy. This research identifies proteins that connect the endoplasmic reticulum to the growing autophagic membrane, enabling lipid transfer required for cellular waste removal. Understanding this mechanism helps explain how failures in cellular cleaning contribute to aging and diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Mitochondria are known as the cell’s powerhouses, but new research shows they also guide cell movement. Using advanced imaging, this work reveals how mitochondria control direction and speed of migrating cells. Understanding this process may explain wound healing and how cancer cells spread throughout the body.

This research investigates how microplastics and nanoplastics affect human cells. Using laboratory models that mimic the digestive system, it examines how particle size and concentration influence toxicity. The findings show that smaller particles are more harmful, providing evidence that can inform safety regulations and reduce human exposure to plastic pollution.