Non-Pharmacological Approaches to ADHD: Exploring Inflammation and Omega-3s

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder that affects millions worldwide. Current therapeutic treatment relies on pharmaceutical approaches, but emerging research suggests that dietary supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids, may offer complementary therapeutic options. A recent study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Research explores the relationship between inflammation and dietary supplements to determine how they might influence ADHD pathology. This work was conducted in Dr. Edna Grünblatt’s lab at the University of Zurich and was supported through Promega’s Academic Access Program. I had the chance to interview Dr. Natalie Walter, the lead author, to learn more about how her work offers potential opportunities for non-pharmacological interventions.

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Mapping the Mind: In Vivo Imaging of Synaptic Plasticity with HaloTag® Ligands

The brain is constantly rewiring itself, fine-tuning connections that shape how we think, learn, and remember. But capturing those fleeting molecular changes as they happen — at the level of individual synapses and across entire brain regions — has long been a challenge in neuroscience. Now, thanks to recent advances in HaloTag® dye technology, researchers can visualize protein dynamics in living brains with stunning clarity and specificity.

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Alzheimer Disease and Metabolic Dysfunction: A Critical Intersection in Brain Health

This guest blog post is written by Alden Little, a Marketing Intern at Promega.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most devastating neurodegenerative disorders, affecting millions worldwide. While much attention has been given to amyloid plaques and tau tangles, emerging research suggests that metabolic dysfunction in the brain plays a crucial role in the disease’s progression. A recent study published in Acta Neuropathologica by Schröder et al. sheds new light on how astrocytes—the brain’s metabolic support cells—are affected in AD, and how their dysfunction impacts neurons.

Auguste Deter, a patient of Dr. Alzheimer, who first described the hallmark plaques and tangles of AD.
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Glo-ing Above and Beyond: Simplifying Science with MyGlo Reagent Reader

Introduction

When it comes to laboratory tools, few things resonate more than the experiences of researchers who rely on them daily. At the University of Cincinnati the MyGlo Reagent Reader has quickly become an indispensable lab companion, due to its compact design, affordability, and intuitive interface with tailored apps for Promega assays. But what truly sets the MyGlo Reagent Reader apart is how it empowers scientists to focus on their research.

Take Ipsita Kundu, a third-year PhD student at the University of Cincinnati working in Dr. Tim Phoenix’s lab. The Phoenix lab, dedicated to studying innovative brain tumor therapies, faced challenges with their outdated luminescence reader. They needed an affordable, reliable solution to streamline Ipsita’s experiments without compromising accuracy or efficiency.

The MyGlo Reagent reader is Nominated for a 2025 Select Science, Scientists’ Choice Award in the category of Life Sciences Product of the Year. Do you agree that it is a game changer? Vote today!

The MyGlo Reagent Reader was the answer. This blog highlights how this integrated solution is redefining laboratory workflows, enabling researchers to maximize productivity and maintain focus on groundbreaking discoveries. Let’s delve into Ipsita’s story and explore how MyGlo transformed her research.

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The Greatness of Glycogen: A Central Storage Molecule in Energy Metabolism

Introduction

Glycogen is a fundamental molecule in energy metabolism, serving as the critical storage form of glucose that supports cellular health and energy homeostasis. As a polysaccharide, glycogen is essential for maintaining stable energy levels, particularly during periods of fasting and physical exertion. This article will examine glycogen’s synthesis, storage, and utilization, along with its broader significance in human health and disease. Understanding glycogen’s role can provide valuable insight into energy regulation and metabolic health.

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The Benefits of BCAAs: Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Health and Disease

Introduction

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential nutrients that play a significant role in muscle metabolism and overall health. Comprised of leucine, isoleucine, and valine, BCAAs cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through diet. Recent research has highlighted how the metabolic pathways are influenced by BCAAs, such as their ability to activate mTOR signaling, which is vital for muscle protein synthesis (Choi, 2024). Beyond muscle growth, BCAAs may support cognitive function and metabolic health, with ongoing research exploring their broader benefits in disease management. This article explores the diverse roles of BCAAs and their impact on health and diseases

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The Brilliance of BHB: A Key Ketone Body in Metabolic Health

Introduction

β-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), the most abundant ketone body, is a crucial molecule that sustains energy production during periods of glucose deprivation. Whether you are fasting, adhering to a ketogenic diet, or simply interested in metabolic flexibility, BHB offers key insights into how our bodies adapt to alternative energy sources. This article will delve into how BHB is produced, the diverse roles it plays, and its implications for health and disease.

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Third Annual Targeted Protein Degradation Symposium: Embracing the Excitement of Discovery

The third annual Targeted Protein Degradation (TPD) Symposium just wrapped up last month. It was kicked off with Poncho Meisenheimer, VP of Research and Development at Promega, likening the gathering of researchers to “kids in a biology candy store.” This playful analogy captured the vibrant energy and sense of exploration among the attendees, who convened to delve into the future possibilities of proximity-induced degradation. Poncho left attendees with three key questions to consider throughout the symposium:

  1. How can we focus on quantitative measures of cellular events in relevant models?
  2. How do we generate results that serve both human and AI models?
  3. How do we best embrace the excitement of discovery?

Nearly 150 participants from both industry and academia attended the two-day symposium. It was held on September 11th and 12th at Promega’s R&D hub, the Kornberg Center, in Madison, Wisconsin. The event, now in its third year, provided a familiar environment where collaborations flourished, and many attendees rekindled connections forged through previous interactions or partnerships in the field.

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Visualize Protein:Protein Interactions with Bioluminescence Imaging

If you’re familiar with bioluminescence, you’ve probably used it in plate-based experiments to track various biological processes. You understand it provides distinct advantages over traditional fluorescence assays, particularly when it comes to sensitivity. However, there’s always that one nagging question: how representative is the signal on a cell-to-cell level?

Traditional approaches to decipher cell-to-cell signal rely on complex, time-intensive measures that only approximated the findings acquired through bioluminescence. That’s where the GloMax® Galaxy Bioluminescence Imager comes in. This new tool will enhance your ability to visualize proteins using NanoLuc® technology, going beyond simple numeric outputs to reveal what’s happening in individual cells.

NanoLuc® technology is well-known for its ability to assist in detecting subtle protein interactions in complex biological systems. This bright luminescent enzyme enables a much broader linear range than fluorescence, improving detection of small changes in protein activity, such as proteins interacting. Microplate readers measuring NanoLuc® assays rely on signal generated from many cells. This results in an approximation of what is occurring biologically. Truly validating those luminescent readings within a cell population has been challenging—until now. The GloMax® Galaxy allows you to perform bioluminescence imaging, moving beyond the numbers, offering the power to visualize protein interactions directly.

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The Marvel of Malate: A Crucial Component in Cellular Energy Metabolism

Today’s blog written by guest author Kim Haupt.

Cellular energy metabolism is a complex biological process that relies on a suite of metabolites, each with distinct roles to maintain. Malate is one of these metabolites and is essential for maintaining cellular function through important roles in both energy production and redox homeostasis. In this blog, we highlight malate’s diverse roles and uncover some of its connections to human disease. 

Illustration of energy metablism in cell.
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