Think of the biggest medical challenges of our time and you'll find researchers tackling them at the FSU-headquartered National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. The MagLab harnesses some of the most powerful magnets on Earth to unlock the secrets of human biology, peering deeper into molecular structures than ever before. Cutting-edge research on cancer, migraines, stroke, Alzheimer's disease and many other conditions is helping pave the way for next-generation treatments, faster diagnoses, and life-changing cures. As part of FSU Health, the MagLab brings together world-class scientists and clinical partners to improve the future of medicine in Florida.
Here are seven ways the MagLab is pushing the frontiers of medicine and advancing human health.
Targeting a Key Cancer Driver
MagLab researchers have uncovered an important clue about how the KRAS gene drives cancer. KRAS is a gene that helps control when cells grow, divide and die. When KRAS mutates, those signals can get stuck in the "on" position, causing cells to multiply uncontrollably. Mutated KRAS is strongly associated with several major cancers, including pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Using Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometry, researchers mapped the structures of intact KRAS proteins in colon cancer tumors. In the process, they discovered a previously unknown, shortened version of the KRAS protein that moves differently inside cells and sends growth signals to the cell's DNA. The finding gives scientists new insight into how KRAS-related cancers develop and could help guide the design of more precise and effective cancer therapies.
Promoting Stroke Recovery
Scientists using the world's strongest MRI have identified a promising approach for stroke treatment using human stem cells. They reconfigured the cells to promote healing and growth, so the stem cells would survive the hostile environment of a stroke lesion. Tested in pre-clinical models, these aggregated stem cells improved survival, reduced brain lesion sizes and stimulated noticeable motor function recovery, offering a promising strategy to boost the effectiveness of future stroke therapies.
Seeking New Drugs to Fight Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
An interdisciplinary team of researchers has launched an ambitious effort to combat the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria. The team plans to screen a billion soil microbes from around the world in search of natural compounds that could become new antibiotics. The project will leverage the MagLab's Ion Cyclotron Resonance mass spectrometers to analyze and identify these novel bioactive molecules for drug development. Drug-resistant bacterial infections are one of the world's leading causes of death, with cases expected to rise dramatically in the next 25 years.
Characterizing Cartilage to Improve Treatments for Joint Disease
Using advanced, solid-state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and a technique called Dynamic Nuclear Polarization, researchers successfully observed the microscopic interactions of sugars and proteins in cartilage for the first time. They discovered that the sugars and proteins bind directly to one another at an atomic level, forming tiny "bridges" that hold the structure together. This breakthrough could lead to better treatments for joint diseases like osteoarthritis and improve the development of synthetic cartilage materials.
Mapping the Protein that Powers Tuberculosis
Harnessing the National MagLab's high-powered Electron Paramagnetic Resonance spectrometer, chemists mapped a unique protein linked to deadly, virulent strains of tuberculosis. Unlike similar proteins, this rule-breaking variant has an unoccupied atomic site. Researchers believe this open site acts like a plug-in for molecules that help the bacteria function. It's also believed the protein may help build TB's thick, waxy cell walls, which make it less susceptible to treatment. The finding represents a critical first step toward understanding how the protein may help tuberculosis bacteria survive and could potentially lead to the design and development of new TB treatments.
Pinpointing the Precursors of Migraines
MagLab researchers have discovered a link between migraines and sodium distribution in the brain. The team scanned rats and found a spike in sodium levels within the brainstem before any migraine symptoms appeared. This new finding helps pinpoint exactly where migraine symptoms may start. Moving forward, the scientists plan to study whether existing treatments impact this sodium buildup, paving the way for more effective future therapies for millions of migraine sufferers.
Delving into a Deadly Fungus
Using a powerful Nuclear Magnetic Resonance technique, MagLab scientists mapped the complex cell wall of Cryptococcus, a drug-resistant fungus that kills tens of thousands of people globally every year. They discovered that five distinct large sugar molecules act as an internal scaffold to protect the fungal cell. This sturdy framework explains why the fungus survives so well inside the human body and resists many modern antifungal drugs. By learning how this molecular shield is built, the research opens new opportunities to design more effective targeted antifungal therapies.
