Liver disease is a global health challenge, affecting millions each year. The liver has a remarkable ability to regenerate; however, chronic damage arising from obesity, alcohol, or metabolic dysfunction can lead to irreversible failure. At the University of Edinburgh’s Centre for Regenerative Medicine, Professor David Hay’s lab is developing innovative ways to study liver function and disease using a lab-grown mini-organ. In this blog, we highlight how Dr. Hay’s lab is redefining liver disease research through 3D models that reveal how hormones influence metabolic health.
Continue reading “Insights from 3D Liver Models: Rethinking Fatty Liver Disease with Hormone Correction”Author: Simon Moe
Top 5 Luciferase Reporter Vectors You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Now Can’t Live Without)
Ever spent your Friday night troubleshooting a cloning reaction that just won’t work?
We’ve been there. So have thousands of other scientists. That’s why Promega and Addgene teamed up to create something game-changing: a curated collection of 600+ luciferase reporter vectors, designed to help you skip the cloning and get straight to the data.
Addgene, the nonprofit plasmid-sharing platform trusted by researchers worldwide, and Promega, a global leader in luminescent assay technologies, have joined forces to make your gene expression, pathway analysis, and cell signaling experiments faster, easier, and reproducible.
In this post, we’re spotlighting 5 standout vectors from the new collection that are making life in the lab a whole lot better.
Continue reading “Top 5 Luciferase Reporter Vectors You Didn’t Know You Needed (But Now Can’t Live Without) “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.
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.
Continue reading “Mapping the Mind: In Vivo Imaging of Synaptic Plasticity with HaloTag® Ligands”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.
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.
Continue reading “Glo-ing Above and Beyond: Simplifying Science with MyGlo Reagent Reader”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.
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
Continue reading “The Benefits of BCAAs: Branched-Chain Amino Acids in Health and Disease”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.
Continue reading “The Brilliance of BHB: A Key Ketone Body in Metabolic Health”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:
- How can we focus on quantitative measures of cellular events in relevant models?
- How do we generate results that serve both human and AI models?
- 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.
Continue reading “Third Annual Targeted Protein Degradation Symposium: Embracing the Excitement of Discovery”