Our researchers have just uncovered a game-changing superpower! They recently discovered that one of the tardigrades’ unique proteins, dubbed Dsup, can reduce radiation damage by up to 90% in mice. A diverse team of scientists performed the study by genetically engineering mouse cells to express the Dsup protein. This protein is famous for its ability to bind to DNA and shield it from radiation bombardment. This exciting new strategy has created new pathways for perhaps protecting humans from radiation-induced damage.
Dsup, or damage-suppressor protein, is a central part of the tardigrades’ extraordinary ability to stand up to radiation. These remarkable microscopic creatures have fascinated scientists for decades thanks to their superpower of surviving the harshest of conditions. Inserting Dsup into mouse cells, the researchers sought to recreate this durability. The outcomes, however, were very encouraging! Mice with genetically modified cells that produced Dsup exhibited dramatically fewer symptoms from radiation damage compared to those without the protein.
We packaged Dsup into lipid nanoparticles and delivered it into mouse cells. These microscopic spheres, composed of fat molecules, are excellent at transporting chemicals. The genetic blueprints for making Dsup were sent to the worms’ cells using mRNA molecules. mRNA, a groundbreaking new molecule that transports genetic blueprints, enabled the production of the Dsup protein directly inside the mouse cells. These targeted cells, such as those present in the animals’ cheek and rectal epithelium showed promising results.
Byrne, one of the lead researchers on the groundbreaking study, expressed his excitement about identifying this transformative strategy. He thinks it has thrilling potential uses to augment human health.
“We were hoping to use what nature has really perfected as [this] optimized radiation protection, to potentially help patient care in the long term,”
The study’s results are especially important for fast-paced treatment fields like oncology, where radiation therapy is a frequently used tool. Developing a way to prevent radiation from inducing unwanted side effects would be a transformative advancement in patient care. James Byrne, a specialist in cancer treatments and one of the researchers engaged in this work, stressed how important this will be to improving patient care.
“I treat cancer patients with radiation, and I see a lot of side effects from treatment itself — side effects that can be really debilitating and severe,” – James Byrne
This study extends past short-term medical uses. It illustrates the power of basic scientific discoveries to propel monumental breakthroughs in human health.
“You can take findings from more basic or fundamental science and pair them with new delivery mechanisms and suddenly be in a situation where you have a very impactful finding with immediate relevance to human health,” said Zachary Morris.
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