St. Jude Research

Research revealed a previously unknown activated state and also shows sucralose and advantame engage the receptor differently, presenting opportunities to improve sweeteners.

“Capturing the receptor’s full range of motion was key to understanding its molecular mechanism,” said Chia-Hsueh Lee, PhD. The study suggests molecules that stabilize the receptor’s ‘loose’ state should be sweeter.

Structural and functional studies uncover the mechanism behind sweet taste See how the human taste receptor TAS1R2 and TAS1R3 GPCR functions via a unique VFT domain to bind sweeteners like sucralose and advantame and elicit sweetness

Investigators have uncovered the full activation mechanism of sweet taste receptors, proteins that detect sugar and sweeteners. Their findings could guide the design of better sugar substitutes. ow.ly/X3Sl50Wzuts

This discovery opens new doors for medicine, such as improving childhood vaccines and developing innovative immunotherapies. As Benjamin Youngblood, PhD, said, "We’ve only scratched the surface of understanding their potential.”

Virtual memory T cells act as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity in infants, providing nonspecific protection while long-term immune memory develops. This is the first time their existence has been confirmed in early human immune development.

In 2019, St. Jude developed a life-saving gene therapy for infants with SCID-X1 (“bubble boy disease”), enabling them to form immune systems for the first time. Today, researchers reveal a specialized immune cell type called virtual memory T cells. ow.ly/UgFN50WybY5

Oak’s research focuses on pediatric cancer predisposition, leveraging the vast genomics datasets at St. Jude to uncover subtle signals. He’s optimistic about how data science and AI will shape future discoveries in this field.

Oak’s process focuses on capturing figures and key points first, then adding supporting details. Sharing his sketches online and at conferences has helped make science accessible to broader audiences.

Ninad Oak, PhD, Lead Bioinformatics Research Scientist at St. Jude, uses sketchnoting to make science accessible. By visually summarizing research talks and papers, he simplifies complex ideas—a practice he now incorporates into mentoring students. @ninadoak.bsky.social

With forms including dissolving films, mini-tabs, troches and gummy tablets, 3D compounding offers precise, palatable and personalized medications. For pediatric patients, this means better adherence, fewer errors and improved health outcomes.

“This is a problem we’ve all been wanting to solve,” said Brooke Bernhardt, PharmD, chief pharmacy officer. “It’s exciting because this will address so many pain points and hopefully improve care and clinical outcomes.”

St. Jude will be the first U.S. institution to introduce 3D pharmaceutical compounding for direct pediatric care, transforming medication delivery for children. Learn how this innovation is reshaping pediatric health care: ow.ly/h6sz50WwPeN

While the virus poses little threat at the population level, infected cattle still represent a risk to individuals working with animals or consuming raw milk. Vigilance is critical, as each human infection creates an opportunity for the virus to adapt.

Findings show the virus does not transmit through the air between mammals, though direct contact with infected cattle remains a risk. Current vaccines for avian flu and antivirals show strong efficacy against these bovine strains in lab tests.

H5N1 avian influenza found in dairy cattle retains bird-infecting features, posing a low risk of sparking a human pandemic, according to new research from St. Jude scientists. ow.ly/T1fF50WwmGA

Stepping toward understanding: Gait analysis to advance neuroscience and cancer survivorship Learn how the St. Jude Gait and Mobility Lab is collaborating with the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative to learn more about neurologic disease.

“This work is about giving back quality of life,” said Burns. “The potential for life-changing breakthroughs is very real, and I’m excited to see what we can achieve in the years ahead.”

Learn more: ow.ly/UUNH50Wuct7

Joshua Burns, PhD, is expanding the Human Performance Lab to include rare neurological disorders with a new Gait and Mobility Lab that captures precision movement data using cutting-edge technology.

Turning genetic discoveries into answers for children with epilepsy See how Heather Mefford, MD, PhD, is uncovering genetic causes of severe childhood epilepsies, paving the way for better diagnoses and treatments at St. Jude.

Beyond diagnosis, Mefford’s lab is working to bridge the gap between genetic discoveries and targeted treatments. “Most current treatments aim to control seizures but rarely address developmental delays,” she explained.

Learn more: ow.ly/nCFI50Wrbo3

“Interpreting DNA in epilepsy is challenging because many genetic mutations are not fully understood, and some may have subtle effects or involve complex interactions,” said Mefford. Her team uses whole-genome sequencing and epigenetic tools to uncover genetic causes of epilepsy.

Understanding the genetic causes of pediatric epilepsy is essential for improving diagnosis and treatment. @hcmefford.bsky.social, MD, PhD, and her team are leveraging advanced sequencing technologies and patient-derived models to uncover the genetic roots of epilepsy.

Bass emphasizes early intervention: "Knowing those patients are at increased risk, we can prioritize referrals for cochlear implant candidacy evaluation, getting them the help they may need as early as possible."

Cochlear implants bypass damaged areas of the inner ear and directly stimulate the auditory nerve, offering hope to survivors who don’t benefit from hearing aids. New MRI-compatible technologies remove barriers for long-term survivors needing frequent imaging.

Hearing loss is a significant side effect of childhood cancer treatments such as platinum-based chemotherapy and radiation. A study led by Johnnie Bass, AuD, PhD, found that 61% of survivors qualify for cochlear implant evaluation under expanded criteria. ow.ly/fSuX50WqaGx

Bringing Chemistry to Medicine Symposium This symposium features thought leaders at the interface of chemical and biomedical sciences, working in areas spanning therapeutic regulation of transcription and chromatin, computational biology, an...

The deadline for abstracts is August 1. Top-rate submissions may be granted travel awards.

To register and submit an abstract, visit: ow.ly/zPec50Wpeay

Attend the 2025 Bringing Chemistry to Medicine Symposium to learn from leading experts in transcription, chromatin regulation, computational biology and chemical biology. Registration is free and available both in-person and virtually.

5 Questions for Janeala Morsby, PhD Explore the work and achievements of St. Jude researcher Janeala Morsby, PhD, as she shares her pediatric osteosarcoma research and scientific journey.

“The mission, resources and collaborative environment at St. Jude allow researchers to make a true impact,” says Morsby.

Learn more about her research and advice for early-career scientists: ow.ly/zabi50Wn8TZ

Janeala Morsby, PhD, is contributing to research on pediatric osteosarcoma at St. Jude, focusing on genomic targets and combination therapies to improve outcomes for children with this rare cancer.

Putting together the puzzle of effective Ataxia treatment Learn how St. Jude clinicians treat ataxias through the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, translating findings from the lab to the clinic.

For A-T, Peter McKinnon, PhD, is leveraging decades of genetic research to develop precision medicine approaches. “The A-T program is special for St. Jude because we’re taking something from the lab to the clinic,” said Finkel.

Learn more: ow.ly/ZMWE50WmBey

Through the UNIFAI study, St. Jude is collecting long-term data on FA progression to guide clinical trials. “In some genetic diseases, there can be factors that cause the disease to progress more rapidly or slowly depending on genetic background,” said Richard Finkel, MD.

Through the Pediatric Translational Neuroscience Initiative, St. Jude is uniquely positioned to advance research and treatment for ataxias, rare neurodegenerative disorders, such as Friedreich’s Ataxia (FA) and Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T).