To understand how these large snakes can regenerate their intestines without intestinal crypts, scientists sequenced the RNA genes of pythons. By learning more about this process in reptiles, researchers hope to better inform other scientists working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal diseases in humans, including diabetes, Crohn's disease, celiac disease, and cancer.
Read more …Can snake research help explain human digestion?
The protein factories of our cells are much more diverse than we thought they were. Scientists have now shown that cancer cells can use these so-called ribosomes to boost their invisibility cloak, helping them hide from the immune system.
Read more …Stalking ribosomes: How cancer cells pull poker faces