Molecular Biology News and Research

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Molecular biology is the study of biology at a molecular level. The field overlaps with other areas of biology and chemistry, particularly genetics and biochemistry. Molecular biology chiefly concerns itself with understanding the interactions between the various systems of a cell, including the interactions between DNA, RNA and protein biosynthesis as well as learning how these interactions are regulated.

Changes in normal glycan behavior lead to fatal lysosomal disease, say researchers

From the neurons that enable thought to the keratinocytes that make toenails grow-a complex canopy of sugar molecules, commonly known as glycans, envelop every living cell in the human body.

6 Jun 2013

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

How and when evolution generates diversity or gives form to proteins, living beings' functional building blocks, are essential questions that still surround the theory of evolution. In humans, the majority of genes have emerged via genetic duplication, a strategy in which a gene generates two identical copies that can evolve to generate different proteins.

6 Jun 2013

New technique selectively represses unwanted immune reactions without disabling immune system

The human immune system is remarkably efficient, but sometimes its attack is misdirected, leading to allergies, autoimmune diseases and rejection of transplant organs and therapeutic drugs. Current immune suppressants have major drawbacks, but a team from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) has demonstrated a new technique that may lead to a better way to selectively repress unwanted immune reactions without disabling the immune system as a whole.

4 Jun 2013

Researchers reveal how disease mutations affect the stability and function of Parkin protein

Researchers at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in the United Kingdom have determined the crystal structure of Parkin, a protein found in cells that when mutated can lead to a hereditary form of Parkinson's disease.

3 Jun 2013

Researchers uncover role of key protein linked to development of cancers

Virginia Commonwealth University researchers studying a key molecular player called Hsp70 that is responsible for protein homeostasis have uncovered how it binds together with another molecule responsible for intracellular energy transfer to enhance its overall activity and efficiency - details that have previously not been well understood.

1 Jun 2013

New research shows uremic toxins increase heart attack risk

MD-Patients with advanced kidney disease who are undergoing hemodialysis are known to be highly susceptible to heart attacks and other cardiovascular complications, and now scientists likely know why.

31 May 2013

New hope for children with multi-system LCH

A new international study finds that prolonged, intense initial treatment in children with multi-system Langerhans cell histiocytosis can achieve survival rates as high as 84 percent-a full 15 percent improvement over the previous clinical trial in this series.

30 May 2013

Neuroscientists identify key circuit elements that contribute to everyday decision in ACC

You are sitting on your couch flipping through TV channels trying to decide whether to stay put or get up for a snack. Such everyday decisions about whether to "stay" or to "go" are supported by a brain region called the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), which is part of the prefrontal cortex.

27 May 2013

TSRI scientists devise new technique to find therapeutic antibodies

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have devised a powerful new technique for finding antibodies that have a desired biological effect. Antibodies, which can bind to billions of distinct targets, are already used in many of the world's best-selling medicines, diagnostics and laboratory reagents.

24 May 2013

New study determines that children with temporal lobe epilepsy likely to have depression

A new study determined that children and adolescents with seizures involving the temporal lobe are likely to have clinically significant behavioral problems and psychiatric illness, especially depression.

24 May 2013

Study shows PDH enzyme plays a major role in regulation of oncogene-induced cellular senescence

An article published on the journal Nature describes the major role that Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) —an enzyme of cellular energy metabolism— plays in the regulation of the cellular senescence induced by the oncogene BRAF, which usually appears mutated in melanoma and other cancers.

22 May 2013

The Biology of Cancer: New second edition now available

Garland Science is proud to announce the publication of the much-anticipated Second Edition of The Biology of Cancer by Robert A. Weinberg.

21 May 2013

Thioridazine works by weakening staphylococcal cell wall, new study reveals

In 2008 researchers from the University of Southern Denmark showed that the drug thioridazine, which has previously been used to treat schizophrenia, is also a powerful weapon against antibiotic-resistant bacteria such as staphylococci (Staphylococcus aureus).

18 May 2013

Melbourne scientists' discovery may pave way for developing antimalarial drugs

Melbourne scientists have made the surprise discovery that malaria parasites can 'talk' to each other - a social behaviour to ensure the parasite's survival and improve its chances of being transmitted to other humans.

16 May 2013

Researchers demonstrate how EGF accelerates division of cell nucleus

Biologists at Heidelberg University have discovered new approaches for the treatment of cancer. They investigated how a special signalling molecule, the epidermal growth factor (EGF), stimulates the separation of chromosomes in the cell. The researchers were able to demonstrate that EGF accelerates the division of the cell nucleus, i.e. mitosis, as well as boosts precision in chromosome segregation.

15 May 2013

Novel drug may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for brain cancer

A novel drug may help increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for the most deadly form of brain cancer, report scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center. In mouse models of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the new drug helped significantly extend survival when used in combination with radiation therapy.

15 May 2013

UIC's Center for Clinical and Translational Science selects six research projects for new pilot grants

The University of Illinois at Chicago's Center for Clinical and Translational Science has selected six research projects to receive pilot grants in 2013.

15 May 2013

Bacteria form biofilm to protect against immune system

Bacteria are life forms, which, like all other life forms, struggle for the best living conditions for themselves. Therefore they will try to avoid getting attacked by the human immune system, and therefore they have developed various ways to protect themselves from the human immune system.

15 May 2013

Vijay Tiwari from IMB receives Bruno Speck Award from Swiss Foundation of Haematological Research

Dr Vijay Tiwari, a Group Leader at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, has been awarded the Bruno Speck Award by the Swiss Foundation of Haematological Research. The award recognises outstanding work by young scientists in the fields of haematology and stem cell research.

15 May 2013

Research on total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

Total anomalous pulmonary venous connection, one type of "blue baby" syndrome, is a potentially deadly congenital disorder that occurs when pulmonary veins don't connect normally to the left atrium of the heart.

13 May 2013

Molecular Biology News and Research

Further Reading

Changes in normal glycan behavior lead to fatal lysosomal disease, say researchers

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

New technique selectively represses unwanted immune reactions without disabling immune system

Researchers reveal how disease mutations affect the stability and function of Parkin protein

Researchers uncover role of key protein linked to development of cancers

New research shows uremic toxins increase heart attack risk

New hope for children with multi-system LCH

Neuroscientists identify key circuit elements that contribute to everyday decision in ACC

TSRI scientists devise new technique to find therapeutic antibodies

New study determines that children with temporal lobe epilepsy likely to have depression

Study shows PDH enzyme plays a major role in regulation of oncogene-induced cellular senescence

The Biology of Cancer: New second edition now available

Thioridazine works by weakening staphylococcal cell wall, new study reveals

Melbourne scientists' discovery may pave way for developing antimalarial drugs

Researchers demonstrate how EGF accelerates division of cell nucleus

Novel drug may increase the effectiveness of radiation therapy for brain cancer

UIC's Center for Clinical and Translational Science selects six research projects for new pilot grants

Bacteria form biofilm to protect against immune system

Vijay Tiwari from IMB receives Bruno Speck Award from Swiss Foundation of Haematological Research

Research on total anomalous pulmonary venous connection

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