Molecular & Structural Biology

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UH researcher awarded $1.2 million grant to unravel mystery of Z-RNA

University of Houston Assistant Professor of Biology and Biochemistry Quentin Vicens has been awarded a $1.2 million grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences to unravel the mystery of Z-RNA – an enigmatic RNA structure within our cells that plays a critical role in immune response.

2 Nov 2023

Study finds epigenetic signature for obesity susceptibility in human twins

A susceptibility to gain weight may be written into molecular processes of human cells, a Washington State University study indicates.

1 Nov 2023

Proof-of-concept study holds promise for safer gene therapy techniques for treating immunodeficiencies

Researchers described an approach to edit the recombination-activating gene 2 (RAG2) locus for therapeutic applications.

1 Nov 2023

Unbiased proteomic analysis reveals fibroinflammatory landscape of the aging ovary

A new priority research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 20, entitled, "Proteomic quantification of native and ECM-enriched mouse ovaries reveals an age-dependent fibro-inflammatory signature."

31 Oct 2023

Decoding how the brain understands sentences in real-time

Researchers examine how the brain processes language by using intracranial recordings in epilepsy patients during reading tasks, revealing the neural networks responsible for semantic integration and distinguishing between semantic coherence and task-based referentiality. The study pinpoints specific brain regions activated during sentence processing and offers new insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of language understanding.

29 Oct 2023

Receptor structure-based virtual screening identifies a promising p38α inhibitor

Announcing a new publication for Acta Materia Medica journal. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a group of serine-threonine protein kinases that can be activated by extracellular stimuli.

27 Oct 2023

How strep bacteria outsmart your immune system and why it matters for treatment

Researchers discover that Group A streptococcal infections alter immunoglobulin G (IgG) homeostasis to evade the immune system, affecting the transition from local to systemic infections. The study also raises concerns about the effectiveness of antibody-based therapies, as the bacteria's virulence factors can degrade therapeutic antibodies.

25 Oct 2023

Scientists discover hidden intricacies of sperm motility

Researchers at Stockholm University have unveiled the hidden intricacies of how sperm go from passive bystanders to dynamic swimmers.

25 Oct 2023

Could the microbiome hold the key to diagnosing and treating biliary tract cancer?

A recent study in "Microorganisms" delves into the relationship between the microbiome and biliary tract cancer, revealing distinct microbial compositions in patients compared to healthy individuals. This research highlights potential diagnostic biomarkers and suggests that altering gut microbial composition might enhance responses to cancer immunotherapy.

24 Oct 2023

Ketamine's long-lasting antidepressant effects unveiled in new study

Persistent blocking of NMDAR and burst-type firing by lateral habenula (LHb) neurons may offer a basis for the long-lasting antidepressant effects of ketamine.

22 Oct 2023

How chromatin compartmentalization affects DNA damage response

Researchers uncover novel insights into how chromatin compartmentalization influences the DNA damage response (DDR) after double-stranded breaks (DSBs), shedding light on the mechanisms behind genomic integrity maintenance and the risk of translocations. Their findings reveal the importance of chromosomal design in DNA repair and the potential implications for genome stability and cancer translocations.

22 Oct 2023

The emotional dynamics of memory

Researchers investigate how emotional dynamics transform experiences into memorable events.

20 Oct 2023

How do different organ microbiomes influence neuropsychiatric disorders?

Scientists review existing literature to understand how the microbiome influences neuropsychiatric disorders.

19 Oct 2023

Arterial DNA damage contributes to vascular aging

A new research paper was published in Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 19, entitled, "Reduction of double-strand DNA break repair exacerbates vascular aging."

18 Oct 2023

Study highlights role of circadian clock component BMAL1 on molecular phenotype of senescent cells

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 15, Issue 19, entitled, "BMAL1 modulates senescence programming via AP-1."

16 Oct 2023

Scientists uncover key enzymes involved in bacterial pathogenicity

Gram-negative bacteria cause a variety of infectious diseases in plants and animals alike. Outbreaks of Salmonella and E. coli infections often make headlines due to their severity, and people have to resort to allopathic as well as natural remedies, increasing the burden on the healthcare system.

16 Oct 2023

SPRI beads offer a viable method for recovering full-length 16S rDNA amplicons

Announcing a new article publication for Zoonoses journal. Solid-phase reversible immobilization (SPRI) beads are widely used for high-throughput sequencing library construction to purify and recover nucleic acids.

13 Oct 2023

IL-17: The molecule that could revolutionize autoimmune and cancer treatments

The research paper explores the multifaceted role of the IL-17 family in immune response, covering everything from infection control to pathological conditions like autoimmune diseases and cancer. Future therapies may exploit IL-17's unique signaling pathways to offer more targeted and cost-effective treatments.

12 Oct 2023

Intracellular journey: The penetration of antidepressants into cells, organelles, and membranes

Researchers in neuropsychopharmacology challenge conventional wisdom about antidepressants' actions, revealing significant intracellular activity that influences their effectiveness. Utilizing advanced technologies, the study prompts a reevaluation of drug targeting and mechanisms, opening new avenues for treating depression.

12 Oct 2023

Scientists unravel secrets about the formation of DNA's building blocks

An international team has uncovered details about the formation of DNA's building blocks, paving the way for potential medical and therapeutic applications.

12 Oct 2023