News from the Baylor Ecosystem
BCM faculty, clinicians, researchers, and staff are advancing medicine and changing the ways we deliver and access care. Here we feature an array of information channels to keep you up to date with the latest advancements from the BCM community, including:
- Momentum, which spans health news, medical education updates, healthcare, community, and events around BCM
- From the Labs, which spotlights new and innovative bench science from BCM researchers.
- The Stitch, which shares the expertise of researchers and clinicians in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery as well as the voices of patients who have undergone surgery and found healing.
- PolicyWise, which explores the full spectrum of health and science policy, from public health to emerging biotechnologies.
- BCM News, which features the headlines-making accomplishments of researchers, faculty, and staff from across BCM.
- Progress Notes, which shares students' stories from the clinics, their thoughts on medicine and healthcare, and stories from the frontlines of research.
- BCM Family, which helps you catch up on news from Baylor College of Medicine posted on the BCM Family newsletter online.
Featured News
Scientists Discover a Second Epigenetic DNA Marker
Scientists have discovered a second stable epigenetic DNA marker, 5-formylcytosine (5fC), challenging the long-held view that 5-methylcytosine (5mC) was the only such marker. Published in Cell, the study shows that 5fC actively promotes gene expression during early development, particularly during zygotic genome activation. This discovery not only expands our understanding of gene regulation but also opens new possibilities for research in embryogenesis, cancer, and potential clinical biomarkers.
Surprising structure discovered in disordered protein
Researchers at BCM discovered that proteins once thought to be disorganized actually use a structured protein called β‑catenin to help turn genes on—revealing surprising order in what was believed to be chaos.
How robotic-assisted Whipple surgery is changing pancreatic cancer care
BCM researchers report that robotic-assisted pancreaticoduodenectomy surgery enhances the precision of this complex procedure, reducing recovery time and complications compared to traditional open surgery while maintaining or improving clinical outcomes.
Control-Alt-Delete: Why data integrity matters in medicine
Policywise explores the critical importance of data integrity in healthcare research, arguing that missing or biased datasets—especially those excluding marginalized populations—can propagate inaccurate evidence and undermine trust in clinical medicine
Scientists answer a 20-year-old question in epigenetics
Researchers at BCM have shown that certain rare DNA changes thought to be common are actually very uncommon in mice, answering a decades-old question in epigenetics and finding that a mother’s diet doesn’t affect these changes.
After the cord is cut: Understanding cord blood banking
BCM’s Dr. Efua Leke, explains the cord blood banking process, outlining options for parents—such as donating to public banks or privately storing stem cells—and detailing clinical and ethical considerations behind each choice. She highlights how public donation can support life-saving treatments while emphasizing the importance of education for informed decision-making.