Barshop Institute
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October 5, 2026
The enzymatic functions of ABHD6 in metabolic disorders have been well documented. However, the non-enzymatic functions of ABHD6 remain largely unexplored. In this study, Guannan Li, PhD, identified a previously unrecognized role of ABHD6 in interacting with FoxO1 to regulate selective hepatic insulin resistance and metabolic health. These findings reveal an important non-enzymatic function of […]
September 10, 2026
The study identifies CELF2 as an important regulator of tau splicing and the production of 4R tau, providing new insight into molecular mechanisms that may contribute to tau-related neurodegeneration. These findings advance our understanding of how disruptions in RNA regulation may influence neurodegenerative disease. Ishana Syed is an Integrated Biomedical Sciences PhD student in the […]
August 27, 2026
Dr. Xiaojing Wang is the recipient of an NIH award for her project titled “Integrating long-read and short-read RNA sequencing to uncover transcriptomic complexity in healthy and diseased hearts.” This project will build an atlas of alternative splicing and isoform diversity in heart failure by integrating long- and short-read RNA sequencing across dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), […]
July 31, 2026
Elena Volpi, MD, PhD, FGSA, director of the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies, was quoted in this New York Times article. Dr. Volpi shares her expertise, offering practical, science-backed advice on how healthy habits in midlife can support strength, independence, and healthy aging for years to come.
July 29, 2026
This study shows that CELF2, an RNA-binding protein, is essential for healthy brain development. Researchers found that loss of CELF2 disrupted the organization and maturation of neurons, altered the activity of hundreds of genes, and reduced levels of CAMK2A, a key protein involved in synaptic function. The findings highlight how defects in RNA regulation can […]
July 28, 2026
Dr. Chen is the holder of the Bartell Zachry Memorial Distinguished Professorship for Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, an Associate Professor with the Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, and an investigator with the Sam and Ann Barshop Institute for Longevity and Aging Studies. Transcription factor condensates as storage Lizhen Chen, Zhijie Liu Nat Cell Biol. […]
July 22, 2026
Laurence Maeyens, a second-year PhD student in the Integrated Biomedical Sciences Program Biology of Aging Discipline has been selected for the Jess Hay Chancellor’s Fellowship. Laurence is co-mentored by James F. Nelson, PhD, and Shangang Zhao, PhD. Established by former University of Texas System Regent Jess Hay, the fellowship recognizes exceptional graduate students whose high-quality […]
July 1, 2026
In the paper, titled “Timed secreted proteomes reveal regulation of hepatokines by the liver circadian clock,” researchers found that the liver’s circadian clock controls the timing of protein release, identifying hundreds of proteins that are secreted differently throughout the day and help regulate metabolism. A key discovery was that the liver releases more endostatin during […]
June 1, 2026
Original story: Texas Public Radio By: Bonnie Petrie (May 31, 2026) — In 2009, a study found that rapamycin (sirolimus) could extend the lifespan of mice by 12%, and that those longer lives were also healthier. Dr. Dean Kellogg, Jr., PhD, thought, “This is too good to be true. A pill that can change aging […]
May 22, 2026
Original story: UT Health San Antonio Newsroom By Claire Kowalick SAN ANTONIO (May 21, 2026) For decades, Alzheimer’s disease research has focused almost exclusively on harmful proteins in the brain. But scientists at The University of Texas at San Antonio are taking a new approach to how the disease is understood and treated. A recent […]
