Barshop Institute
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 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 […]
April 23, 2026
Original story: UT Health San Antonio Newsroom By Claire Kowalick SAN ANTONIO (April 21, 2026) Alzheimer’s is a highly heritable disease with about 60% of the risk coming from a person’s genes. The other 40% of the risk remains less well-studied and may, in part, come from environmental stressors. The University of Texas at San […]
April 16, 2026
A recent study from the lab of Blake Rasmussen, PhD, and published in the Journal of Applied Physiology provides new insights into how heightened mTORC1 activity in muscle influences the body’s response to endurance exercise. The researchers found that while exercise improved mitochondrial activity and altered muscle lipid metabolism, excessive mTORC1 signaling limited gains in […]
April 9, 2026
Original story: UT Health San Antonio Newsroom By Claire Kowalick SAN ANTONIO (April 8, 2026) New UT San Antonio study introduces analytical tool to better hone aging interventions When scientists test potential life‑extending interventions, often the central question simply asks if the intervention works. New research from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UT […]
February 27, 2026
In this review, titled “Visceral adiposity, metabolic health and aging,” the authors critically evaluate whether visceral adipose tissue (VAT), commonly known as visceral fat, is simply a correlate of aging or whether it plays a direct, causal role in driving age-related metabolic decline and systemic aging processes. The authors conclude that VAT is not inherently […]
January 12, 2026
A new study from Sijia He, PhD, Xianlin Han, PhD, and lab sheds new light on the factors that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease, showing that damage to key brain lipids may play a major role in memory loss and other disease-related changes. The findings provide valuable insights into how the disease develops and could help […]
December 8, 2025
Original story: Texas Public Radio By: Bonnie Petrie (December 7, 2025) — When a person has Alzheimer’s disease, a protein called amyloid accumulates to form sticky globs called plaques outside of brain cells. Abnormal tau proteins create twisted fibers inside neurons. Alzheimer’s researchers have spent a lot of time learning about how these proteins clump […]
November 21, 2025
Highlights: The paper reviews evidence on lifestyle-based weight loss in older adults with obesity, showing that caloric restriction reliably reduces fat mass but often leads to concurrent losses in muscle and bone. It identifies resistance training, adequate protein intake, and vitamin D supplementation as the most effective strategies to preserve musculoskeletal health during weight loss, […]
