November 24, 2023

Fruit flies have fat—but not too much, said Dr. Akhila Rajan. What little fat there is has helped scientists make unexpected findings about how fat cells communicate with the brain, said Rajan, during a recent Judith H. Greenberg Early Career Investigator Lecture. Fat cells, also referred to as adipocytes, are an organism’s primary energy storage organs.

NCI's Dr. Li Yang and colleagues recently discovered a mechanism that may underlie cancer relapse. They found that dying cancer cells emit signals that can trigger the growth of nearby cancer cells. Further research into this phenomenon could yield clues toward new ways to treat metastatic cancer.

Investigators and patient families discuss their experiences with fibrous dysplasia/McCune Albright Syndrome (FD/MAS), a rare disease of the skeleton, skin and endocrine system, during a symposium marking25 years of NIDCR research. The familes have found answers and expert care over the years from NIH clinician-scientists.