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Study reveals source of the brain's resting energy drain

Pound for pound, the brain consumes vastly more energy than other organs, and, puzzlingly, it remains a fuel-guzzler even when its neurons are not firing signals called neurotransmitters to each other.

4 Dec 2021

Novel peptide-antibody fusion molecule enhances SARS-CoV-2 variant neutralization

A recent study reports neutralizing efficacy for a fused peptide-antibody molecule against SARS-CoV-2, providing hope that therapeutic neutralizing antibodies may soon be available.

3 Dec 2021

Study explores the emergence and spread of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant across Brazil

Brazilian researchers aim to determine the emergence and spread of the Delta VOC in different regions in Brazil.

2 Dec 2021

New insights offered into cell-to-cell propagation of SARS-CoV-2

Evidence from a new study supports previous findings showing SARS-CoV-2 particles inside host cells are morphologically identical to those outside of cells.

2 Dec 2021

Researchers report antibody cocktails are promising candidate tools for controlling new SARS-CoV-2 variants

Researchers from Academia Sinica in Taiwan have been investigating new antibodies that could have strong effects against SARS-CoV-2 infection.

2 Dec 2021

Impact of engineered ACE2-Fc on SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers employ a structure-guided approach for the development of a series of ACE2-Fc variants using human IgG1 or IgG3 backbone.

1 Dec 2021

Drug-coated balloon catheters help battle myocardial infarction

In Germany, nearly 6 million people suffer from coronary heart disease. The disease is caused by calcium deposits which constrict the coronary arteries. Doctors generally use a stent to widen the narrow pathway.

1 Dec 2021

Nanoengineers develop a new approach to effectively deliver mRNA into cells

Nanoengineers at the University of California San Diego have developed a new and potentially more effective way to deliver messenger RNA (mRNA) into cells.

30 Nov 2021

New optogenetic tool can control brain circuits, behavior, and emotion

Controlling signal transmission and reception within the brain circuits is necessary for neuroscientists to achieve a better understanding of the brain's functions.

30 Nov 2021

Human LRRC15 protein is an inhibitory receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike-mediated entry

In a recent study, published on the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers identified human LRRC15 as an inhibitory receptor for SARS-CoV-2 entry, which directly binds to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein with a moderate affinity and inhibits spike-mediated entry.

29 Nov 2021

The mode of action of essential proteins involved in cancer and Alzheimer´s deciphered

The proteins that belong to the HAT family are essential for life as they transport amino acids across the cell membrane. Although the members of this family are practically identical, some transport certain amino acids and not others.

29 Nov 2021

Glycosylation and disulfide bonding profile of SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein

Researchers found that virus-like particles produced by co-expression of SARS-CoV-2 S, membrane, envelope, and nucleocapsid proteins contain S glycoproteins, which are modified by complex carbohydrates.

29 Nov 2021

Extended host range for SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Researchers used viral pseudotyping to examine whether variants of concern had different host ACE2 receptor usage patterns.

29 Nov 2021

Tomosyn protein's key contribution to heterogeneity of neurons revealed

The versatility of the nervous system comes from not only the diversity of ways in which neurons communicate in circuits, but also their "plasticity," or ability to change those connections when new information has to be remembered, when their circuit partners change, or other conditions emerge.

29 Nov 2021