Objective(s): MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a subfamily of small noncoding RNAs that play a variety of roles in regulating gene expression in nearly all organisms. They affect different biological pathways by post-transcriptionally regulating mRNAs. Aside from miRNAs’  role in maintaining cellular homeostasis, their perturbation is related to several pathologic states and dis...

Epithelia form intelligent, dynamic barriers between the external environment and an organism's interior. Intercellular cadherin-based adhesions adapt and respond to mechanical forces and cell density, while tight junctions flexibly control diffusion both within the plasma membrane and between adjacent cells. Epithelial integrity and homeostasis are of central importance to survival, and mechan...

10 years ago, a group of us put on an international meeting at the NIH entitled “The Energetic and Dynamic Basis of Health and Aging” [3]. The centerpiece of our conference was the reification of the term homeodynamics [4]. This word was proposed and elaborated by Dr. Gene Yates of UCLA who was a leader of our conference. Homeodynamics extends homeostasis into a more inclusive term. It is evide...

Copper (Cu) is a cofactor in proteins that are involved in electron transfer reactions and is an essential micronutrient for plants. Copper delivery is accomplished by the concerted action of a set of evolutionarily conserved transporters and metallochaperones. As a result of regulation of transporters in the root and the rarity of natural soils with high Cu levels, very few plants in nature wi...