Maurizio Morri – Science Blog

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have uncovered a surprising property in a little-known deep‑sea polychaete worm. When exposed to X‑ray radiation, the marine worm exhibits a faint glow caused by previously undocumented fluorescent proteins. The discovery, published last week in Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology, suggests these proteins may help the organism cope with naturally occurring radiation in its environment.

The team collected the worms from depths of 800 to 1,200 meters in the Pacific Ocean. In laboratory experiments, specimens emitted visible light when exposed to X‑ray sources, with intensity levels that varied by depth of collection. Molecular analysis identified two novel proteins responsible for the effect, both of which activate under ionizing radiation and emit greenish fluorescence. These proteins differ fundamentally from the GFP-related proteins widely used in biotechnology.

Scientists think the glow might serve as a protective mechanism, helping the worm detect or dissipate radiation before cellular damage occurs. Such a biological response could be vital for survival in environments with elevated radioactive materials, such as hydrothermal vents or uranium‑rich sediments.

The implications extend beyond marine biology. These new proteins may have biotechnological applications in radiation detection or imaging. Unlike conventional fluorophores, they activate in direct response to radiation and could be engineered into sensors for medical or environmental monitoring.

The researchers are currently working to sequence the genes responsible and express the proteins in bacterial systems. Their goal is to explore potential uses in wearable radiation monitors or subterranean bio‑calculators that alert to background radiation levels.

This discovery highlights how marine organisms continue to surprise us with adaptations that defy conventional expectations—and opens the door to innovative tools inspired by life in the deep.

Sources

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-marine-worm-x-ray-fluorescent-proteins.html

https://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-experimental-marine-biology-and-ecology

A new study from Kyoto University has brought ancient DNA to life in an unprecedented way. Researchers have successfully created early-stage synthetic embryos using reprogrammed mouse stem cells and introduced nuclei from woolly mammoth cells into these artificial structures. In a surprising result, certain mammoth genes showed signs of activation—suggesting that long-extinct DNA can respond to modern cellular environments under very specific conditions.

The team did not create viable embryos or attempt any form of de-extinction. Instead, the goal was to understand how well-preserved prehistoric genetic material interacts with live cell machinery. Using a synthetic embryo model, which mimics the earliest stages of mammalian development, scientists inserted the mammoth DNA and monitored molecular activity.

Remarkably, they observed partial transcription of ancient genes—an indication that the cell recognized and began processing the ancient instructions. This supports the hypothesis that even after thousands of years, ancient DNA can retain functionality under the right conditions.

The implications are profound. While we are far from resurrecting extinct species, this experiment sheds light on how ancient biology can inform modern science. These findings may one day support regenerative medicine, evolutionary biology, and even synthetic biology by showing how deeply preserved genomes still carry biochemical relevance.

It also opens up ethical and scientific discussions about the potential—and limitations—of ancient genome manipulation. For now, the study stands as a fascinating milestone in understanding the bridge between extinct life and modern genetic science.

Sources

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-03314-2

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/woolly-mammoth-dna-comes-alive-in-synthetic-embryo-model/

In a recent breakthrough, researchers have sequenced and analyzed the largest-ever collection of giant virus genomes, shedding light on one of the most mysterious branches of biology. Giant viruses, some with genomes larger than those of bacteria, have puzzled scientists for decades. This new study, published in early June 2025, reveals how these viruses evolve, diversify, and possibly even influence the evolution of their hosts.

The team behind the work used advanced metagenomic techniques to extract viral DNA from environmental samples across oceans, soil, and freshwater ecosystems. They uncovered over 1,500 previously unknown viral genomes, including ones with genes thought to be exclusive to cellular organisms. Some of these genes are involved in energy production, protein synthesis, and even cell signaling.

One of the key findings is that giant viruses possess complex metabolic toolkits, which may allow them to manipulate the biology of their hosts in sophisticated ways. This blurs the line between what we traditionally consider “life” and non-living agents. It also reignites debates about the origins of viruses and whether giant viruses represent a lost lineage of cellular life.

The implications are vast. These viruses may play significant roles in ecological systems, including regulating populations of algae and microbes, shaping nutrient cycles, and impacting carbon flow in marine environments. Their genetic features could also provide new avenues for biotechnology and synthetic biology.

By opening this genetic vault, scientists are rewriting what we thought we knew about the viral world. As one researcher put it, these giants are not just biological oddities—they are major players in the story of life on Earth.

Sources

https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-025-01621-1

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adl1239

In a recent breakthrough in transfusion medicine, researchers in France have identified a previously unknown blood group called “Gwada negative” in a volunteer donor from Guadeloupe. The discovery emerged during routine donor screening and was confirmed through serological testing and genetic sequencing.

This new blood type appears to result from a unique variant in the erythrocyte surface antigen, making it incompatible with standard donor blood. This could pose a serious risk of transfusion reactions if not properly identified in emergency transfusions. Blood centers in the region are now updating their screening protocols to detect this variant among local donors, which could significantly improve patient safety.

The discovery is rare and so far has only been found in a small number of individuals in Guadeloupe, pointing to a potential genetic variant unique to this population. Further epidemiological studies are planned to assess its prevalence and distribution more broadly in the Caribbean.

Beyond its local impact, this finding highlights how regional population genetics can directly influence clinical practice. It underscores the need for labs worldwide to remain vigilant for rare blood types, especially in diverse populations. Researchers believe this antigen variation may have appeared due to evolutionary pressures or founder effects in the island’s population history.

Medically, having this knowledge ensures that individuals with this blood type can receive compatible blood during surgery or trauma care. It can also guide blood banks in creating targeted donor registries and inform genetic counseling.

This discovery demonstrates that even well-studied fields like blood typing continue to yield surprises. What seems routine in one region may carry critical significance for patient safety elsewhere. Future research will examine the molecular structure of the antigen, its immunogenicity, and whether it impacts erythrocyte function.

Source:

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-scientists-gwada-blood-type.html

In a recent breakthrough from researchers in Dublin, scientists have demonstrated that environmental DNA, or eDNA, can be captured from the air to detect the presence of animals, plants, microbes, and even controlled substances. This discovery expands the potential of eDNA from soil and water into atmospheric sampling, opening new doors for ecological surveillance.

By collecting air samples across various urban and semi-urban areas in Dublin, the researchers were able to detect genetic traces from a wide range of sources. These included mammals, birds, insects, fungi, and even plants associated with narcotics, such as cannabis and opium poppies. The analysis relied on high-throughput sequencing, revealing not just the types of organisms present, but their abundance and potential sources.

This method allows for passive, noninvasive monitoring of ecosystems and urban environments. It could be used to track endangered species, monitor air quality, detect allergens or pathogens, and even help law enforcement identify areas of illegal agricultural activity. Because the process does not require visual sightings or direct contact, it has advantages in settings where traditional tracking methods fall short.

However, the technology raises ethical questions. The ability to detect human-related DNA or trace specific activities from airborne particles means privacy and consent must be taken into account. Researchers stress the need for legal and ethical frameworks to prevent misuse and ensure the data is used solely for scientific or public health purposes.

This discovery positions airborne eDNA as a powerful new tool for environmental science, with far-reaching implications for conservation, epidemiology, law enforcement, and climate research.

Source:

https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3266469/scientists-say-airborne-dna-detects-wildlife-diseases-and-even-drugs

In a stunning breakthrough in animal navigation, researchers in Australia have shown that Bogong moths use the stars and the glow of the Milky Way to guide their long-distance migrations. These moths travel hundreds of kilometers each year to reach cool alpine caves where they rest through the summer in a state known as aestivation.

For the first time, scientists placed the moths in a custom-built flight simulator that recreated the night sky. When real star patterns were visible, the moths flew in a steady direction. But when the stars were masked or shifted, the moths became disoriented, clearly demonstrating their reliance on celestial cues.

Bogong moths join a very exclusive group of star-navigating creatures. Until now, only a few animals such as birds and some dung beetles were known to use the stars for orientation. This study expands our understanding of how insects with tiny brains manage such remarkable feats of navigation.

The implications are wide-reaching. It helps explain how moths have been making this journey for thousands of years with pinpoint accuracy. It also raises concerns about light pollution. Artificial lighting in cities may interfere with this natural navigation system, endangering a key pollinator and food source in the Australian ecosystem.

By studying the Bogong moth’s natural GPS, scientists hope to learn more about the neural circuits that enable celestial navigation. The insights could one day contribute to the development of new autonomous navigation systems in robotics or aviation.

This research deepens our appreciation of insect intelligence and the importance of preserving natural night skies.

Sources:

https://phys.org/news/2025-06-stargazing-flight-bogong-moths-night.html

https://www.sciencealert.com/australias-bogong-moths-can-use-the-milky-way-to-navigate

A major step forward in neurodegenerative medicine has just been announced. A UK-based biotech spinout from King’s College London is making waves with a new one time gene therapy called AVB 101, targeting a devastating hereditary form of dementia known as FTD GRN.

FTD GRN stands for frontotemporal dementia caused by mutations in the GRN gene. This condition leads to early onset neurodegeneration due to reduced levels of the progranulin protein, which plays a key role in neuronal survival and inflammation control. Patients often face memory loss, language difficulties, and behavioral changes, with limited treatment options currently available.

AVB 101 offers a different approach. It delivers a healthy copy of the GRN gene directly into the brain using a viral vector, administered through a one time neurosurgical infusion. Once inside the cells, the gene begins producing the missing progranulin, potentially restoring normal brain function or at least slowing the progression of the disease.

This is not a theoretical breakthrough. Clinical trials have already started in multiple countries to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AVB 101. Early preclinical data in animal models has shown promising results, with significant restoration of protein levels and prevention of neural damage.

What makes this development particularly important is the potential to apply similar approaches to other genetic brain disorders. A successful outcome could open the door to a new class of gene therapies targeting specific mutations directly within the central nervous system.

Frontotemporal dementia is one of the most aggressive and understudied forms of dementia. A one time treatment like AVB 101 could mark a turning point in how we approach inherited neurological diseases. Researchers and families alike are watching closely as this therapy moves through clinical validation.

Sources

https://www.biopharma-reporter.com/Article/2024/06/04/aviado-bio-advances-gene-therapy-for-ftd

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/one-off-gene-therapy-for-rare-dementia-enters-clinical-trials