Ananya Sen

Uncovering how occludin protein maintains blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers University of Michigan researchers uncover the role of occludin, a protein that regulates blood-brain and blood-retinal barriers, offering new insight into diabetic retinopathy.

First story of 2026 has been a 30-year-old mystery: What does occludin, a protein that was thought to only regulate the tight connections between cells, actually do?

Learn more: michmed.org/YWzM4.

4-year-old pediatric brain cancer patient wins over his care team with cheerful personality Pediatric cancer patient at Michigan Medicine was diagnosed with ATRT and underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Four years later, he’s doing well.

Elliott Belair has lived more lifetimes as a baby than most of the adults I know.

He was diagnosed with ATRT, a rare and aggressive brain cancer, when he was only four weeks old. He went through 17 rounds of chemotherapy and won over hearts with his cheerful personality: michmed.org/mDX9W.

Two pediatric cancer patients become close friends during treatment Landen Silveus and Donovan Sheedy met while being treated for osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer that affects adolescents. They supported each other through chemotherapy and surgery.

Landen DJ were both diagnosed with osteosarcoma—just one week apart.

What began as two high school students fighting the same rare cancer has become a bond that continues to bring strength and joy to their families and care team alike.

Read more: michmed.org/gVb73.

Fish oil supplements may not work for certain cancer patients Michigan Medicine study emphasizes the need to screen for the presence of ALOX15 in cancer patients when developing prevention strategies using fish oil supplements.

I always thought that fish oil supplements were good for you...until I talked to these experts.

U-M researchers have shown that the gene ALOX15 is essential for helping fish oil supplements suppress colorectal cancer, emphasizing the need to screen for ALOX15 in cancer patients: michmed.org/DQvA8.

7-year-old faces cancer treatment with ‘optimistic sassiness’ Emilia Pigeon was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that starts in immature nerve cells. She was treated with chemotherapy and surgery and continues to do well.

One of the best parts of this job is meeting the incredibly brave patients who entrust me with writing their story. Read my latest!

Seven-year-old Emilia Pigeon overcame neuroblastoma and won over her care team with her 'optimistic sassiness' in the face of chemotherapy: michmed.org/vQrqW.

Dietary changes could provide a therapeutic avenue for brain cancer A team of researchers from Michigan Medicine tracked how glucose is used in glioblastoma tumor cells. They showed that dietary interventions can slow brain cancer growth in mice.

A massive team effort by U-M researchers have found that glioblastoma cells rewire how they use sugar, which can be targeted in mice to slow tumor growth and improve treatment responses. @lyssiotislab.bsky.social @dnagrathlab.bsky.social

Learn more: michmed.org/MD2X2.

Brain neurons are responsible for day-to-day control of blood sugar University of Michigan researchers have shown that a specific population of neurons in the hypothalamus help the brain maintain blood glucose levels under normal circumstances.

What a busy month!

My latest is about how our brains control glucose levels when we're asleep. These findings could explain what happens in patients with prediabetes.

Learn more: michmed.org/eQqM9.

Elio got me started on my science communication journey and I will forever be grateful!

FDA clears new DMG treatment: What it means for a deadly pediatric brain tumor Diffuse midline gliomas are aggressive tumors that begin in the brain or spinal cord. It is universally fatal, and patients typically live for nine to 15 months after diagnosis. The FDA has approved O...

For the first time, the FDA has approved a treatment for diffuse midline glioma. The drug ONC201 will bring new hope for patients with DMG.

I spoke to Carl Koschmann, a pediatric oncologist, about U-M's research with ONC201 and what the approval means for patients.

Learn more: michmed.org/WXd3Z

New technology called PathoPlex maps the location of proteins inside cells Abnormal changes in protein levels and patterns can result in diseases. Understanding protein organization can improve treatments and minimize disease symptoms. A team of researchers developed a new t...

Led by U-M researchers, a global team has developed a new technology called PathoPlex, to map more than 140 different proteins across 40 tissue samples from people with diabetic kidney disease.

Learn more about my latest at michmed.org/zgrQw.

Inactivation of key pathway boosts the body’s immune response against tumors Immunotherapy uses the body’s immune system to recognize and destroy cancer cells. However, many patients are resistant to this therapy, which poses a challenge to their treatment. A study led by rese...

Even more microscopy images! 🔬

In a new study, U-M researchers have shown that inactivating CDK12/13, a key pathway, boosts the body’s immune response against tumors.

Learn more: michmed.org/yg4y3.

Amino acid glutamine is important for eye health Photoreceptor death is the cause of vision loss in many retinal diseases, and there are no effective therapies that improve their survival. In a new paper, University of Michigan researchers studied t...

I'm a sucker for microscope images 😍

Also fun when they go with cool stories! In a new paper, U-M researchers found that maintaining the balance of amino acids is important for photoreceptor health.

Learn more: michmed.org/mDRGm.

Misfolded proteins accumulate in the mitochondria of patients with type 2 diabetes Aging-related diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disorders and type 2 diabetes, are associated with defects in protein synthesis and folding. In a new study, researchers at the University of M...

New paper from @soleimanpourlab.bsky.social's lab! They found that mitochondria accumulate misfolded proteins, which kills β-cells. Reversing this process could help treat type 2 diabetes.

Learn more at michmed.org/jV2yP.

How do spaceflights and long term planetary missions affect vision? Joshua Ong, M.D., resident physician at University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center answers questions about how spaceflight affects vision and what protective measures astronauts use.

With all the interest in space missions, I don't think people appreciate just how much challenges n vision factor into the life of astronauts.

Read my latest about how spaceflight affects vision and what protective measures astronauts use: michmed.org/JDdPJ.

New clinical trials for pediatric brain tumors Brain and spinal cord tumors account for one in four childhood cancers. Although 75% of children survive for at least five years after being diagnosed, many patients have recurrent tumors that cannot ...

My love for virology 🤝 new cancer treatments

U-M researchers are turning to inactivated versions of adenoviruses, which are a common type of respiratory virus, to target brain tumors in children!

Learn more at michmed.org/nVM2K.

What does Joe Biden’s prostate cancer diagnosis mean for older patients? Based on former President Joe Biden's recent diagnosis, a Michigan Medicine urologists discusses routine screening procedures and treatment outcomes.

It never ceases to amaze me that I work with a fantastic group of people who helped me put this together in three hours. Thanks @wandering-gu.bsky.social for answering questions about former President Joseph Biden’s diagnosis: michmed.org/WXXej.

Interplay between key proteins could serve as a target for cancer treatment University of Michigan researchers have identified that the balance between two proteins—STAT3 and STAT5—is important for making tumors vulnerable to immune checkpoint therapy, and targeting STAT3 deg...

Probably the coolest way to fight cancer cells is immunotherapy, which uses a person’s own immune system to fight cancer.

I talked to a U-M team that showed the balance between two proteins—STAT3 and STAT5—is important for making tumors vulnerable to a type of immunotherapy: michmed.org/RBB22.

Researchers identify roles of key genes in colon cancer development Researchers used mouse models and studies of colorectal cancer tissues to show that loss of SOX9 gene promotes tumor progression and the pathway it regulates can be a potential target for future treat...

Love covering basic science research that has far-reaching implications!

U-M researchers used showed that loss of SOX9 gene promotes tumor progression and the pathway it regulates can be a potential target for future treatments.

Learn more at michmed.org/ZxxZw.

Drug combination reduces breast cancer risk and improves metabolic health in rats Researchers investigated the combined effects of bazedoxifene and conjugated estrogens in rat models as an alternative to tamoxifen.

I learn something new every day!

Tamoxifen, a common breast cancer preventative, can cause side effects, including an increased risk for type 2 diabetes in women with excess body weight. In a new study, U-M researchers investigated alternatives to tamoxifen.

Learn more at michmed.org/923MG.

Drug targets identified for pancreatic cancer U-M researchers have discovered that simultaneously targeting PIKfyve and KRAS-MAPK can eliminate tumors in preclinical human and mouse models.

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related death. U-M researchers, including @djcalebc.bsky.social and @lyssiotislab.bsky.social, have discovered that simultaneously targeting two key pathways can eliminate tumors.

Learn more about their work in @nature.com at michmed.org/Zx7wD.

For eye infections, delayed doctor visits and extent of damage affect vision outcomes Physicians followed 562 patients in the U.S. and India over a three-month period to identify risk factors for eye infections that could be easily managed with early intervention.

Even though microbial keratitis is a preventable cause of blindness, it's a complex infection to treat, and many patients have lasting vision impairment.

Dr. Woodward answers questions about what causes microbial keratitis, symptoms and preventative measures.

Learn more at michmed.org/DQnYx.

Researchers use nanoparticles to target glioblastoma in mice University of Michigan researchers have created nanodiscs that can target cholesterol levels in GBM, starving the cancer cells and increasing survival rates of the treated mice.

Glioblastoma multiforme is an aggressive brain tumor that mainly affects adults. Unfortunately, there are no cures.

U-M researchers have now created nanodiscs that can starve the cancer cells and increase survival rates of the treated mice.

Read more at michmed.org/AQPDM.

‘Beating the odds’: hope for U-M drummer with inoperable brain tumor Ethan White was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare form of brain cancer where the survival time after diagnosis is 1-2 years. His treatment is going well and Koschmann is cautiously optimis...

21-year-old Ethan White was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare type of brain cancer, in March 2024.

As he passes the one-year mark of his diagnosis, White is hopeful that he might be the first person to beat the cancer.

Read about his story: michmed.org/kVkVj

After prostate cancer surgery, 70-year-old track and field athlete takes on international competition Just 8 months after undergoing robotic surgery to remove his cancerous prostate, Mark Cwiek, a 70-year-old track and field athlete, successfully competed in the World Masters Athletics Championship.

Just eight months after undergoing robotic surgery to remove his cancerous prostate, Mark Cwiek, a 70-year-old track and field athlete, successfully competed in the World Masters Athletics Championship.

Read about his journey at michmed.org/5G3kn.

Personalized app reduces cancer-related fatigue Researchers at the Rogel Cancer Center, in collaboration with Arcascope, have developed and tested a personalized app that tracks a user’s circadian rhythm and makes behavioral recommendations to redu...

Cancer-related fatigue can sometimes persist weeks, months or even years after treatment ends.

U-M researchers have developed and tested a personalized app that tracks a user’s circadian rhythm and makes behavioral recommendations to reduce daily fatigue.

Learn more at michmed.org/AQx4D.

Coach Beilein urges everyone: Vote for U-M science in STAT Madness #umich YouTube video by Michigan Medicine

Sure, the #STATMadness tournament of science is just for fun.
But this year, it means more.

Please do what Coach says & vote for the University of Michigan & NYU/U-M teams here: www.statnews.com/feature/stat...

@drsarahsperry.bsky.social @tvalley.bsky.social
youtube.com/shorts/_h0TQ...

How to assess your risk for breast cancer Melissa Pilewskie, M.D., answers questions about how you can accurately assess your risk and what lifestyle changes can help reduce the likelihood of developing breast cancer.

One in eight American women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. A combination of factors can influence your risk.

Dr. Pilewskie answers questions about how you can accurately assess your risk and what lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk: michmed.org/7KZDr.

New cellular therapy trials for brain tumors Michigan Medicine experts discuss CAR T therapy, its use in other clinical trials at U-M and the new Phase I trials that started in March 2025.

Treating tumors in the brain and spinal cord can be challenging because they are often difficult to access through surgery due to their location and can be very aggressive.

Read my latest about the new Phase I CAR T trials that started in 2025: michmed.org/vQx8x.

Managing your diabetes can help prevent associated vision loss Diabetic retinal disease screening remains challenging because patients often do not have any symptoms in the early stages and, therefore, misunderstand the importance of regular screenings. In a rece...

Diabetic retinal disease is the leading cause of preventable blindness for those aged 20-74 years.

Dr. Gardner discusses current screening recommendations and treatment options for DRD. Read my latest work at michmed.org/GQK4B

Speculum exams unnecessary for HPV screening HPV screening usually entails a speculum-based exam, which is an uncomfortable experience for most patients. University of Michigan researchers are the first to demonstrate in the United States that s...

No more speculum-based exams? Sign me up!

My latest for Michigan Medicine: michmed.org/mdZyy.