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A single archaeal enzyme can produce a spectacular range of natural and non-natural cardiolipins

Cells of all life forms are surrounded by a membrane that is made of phospholipids. One of these are the cardiolipins, which form a separate class due to their unique structure.

7 May 2021

Cryptic pocket on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 may be a promising treatment target

In a new study currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, a multinational group of researchers modeled an entire membrane-embedded spike glycoprotein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and highlighted the potential of a specific mapping approach for unveiling cryptic, potentially druggable pockets on the viral surface.

7 May 2021

Study reports vitamin C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus main protease

Based on structural analysis, researchers found that vitamin C binds to 3CLpro, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease essential in viral replication. In vitro cell inhibition studies also showed vitamin C could inhibit 3CLpro, indicating a possible new antiviral treatment method.

6 May 2021

Could stem cells improve the outcome of ARDS in severe COVID-19?

A recent study, published in Stem Cells Translational Medicine, explores the safety and efficacy of stem cells, which have been touted as the panacea for a wide range of illnesses, ranging from chronic degenerative conditions to cancer.

6 May 2021

Researchers identify potent small molecule TMPRSS2 inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2

A team of scientists from the USA and Canada has recently identified and characterized a novel small-molecule compound inhibitor of cellular serine protease TMPRSS2, which shows significant antiviral potency against emerging variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

5 May 2021

Researchers develop new technology to reduce high error rates in gene sequencing

Next-generation gene sequencing (NGS) technologies --in which millions of DNA molecules are simultaneously but individually analyzed-- theoretically provides researchers and clinicians the ability to noninvasively identify mutations in the blood stream.

4 May 2021

Researchers identify mechanism of platelet hyperactivation in COVID-19 patients

A recent study conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, USA, has revealed the mechanism of platelet hyperactivation in critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.

4 May 2021

Unique system detects small changes in DNA structures

Small changes in the structure of DNA have been implicated in breast cancer and other diseases, but they've been extremely difficult to detect -- until now.

4 May 2021

Four-part small-molecule cocktail can prevent cellular stress

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) have devised a four-part small-molecule cocktail that can protect stem cells called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from stress and maintain normal stem cell structure and function.

4 May 2021

New computational tool helps screen molecules for their potential COVID-fighting properties

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, mass vaccinations have begun to raise the tantalizing prospect of herd immunity that eventually curtails or halts the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

4 May 2021

Researchers discover new way to improve the subcutaneous administration of mRNA

If not before, then certainly since the first messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines to combat the SARS CoV2 virus were approved in Germany, mRNA has become a recognized term even outside scientific circles.

4 May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 study in human gut organoids

Most of the major life-threatening symptoms of COVID-19 disease are associated with the host's generation of an exacerbated pro-inflammatory immune response. Many studies have correlated the intensity of the immune response with the severity of disease.

3 May 2021

Study reveals new broadly neutralizing and protective antibody against coronaviruses

In the setting of potentially reduced vaccine efficacy against coronavirus disease (COVID-19) due to emerging viral variants, the deployment of effective treatments based on monoclonal antibodies may be an additional strategy to help control the pandemic. A new study by US researchers, currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server, describes the action of a specific antibody known as DH1047.

3 May 2021

Too much salt affects the functioning of phagocytes

For many of us, adding salt to a meal is a perfectly normal thing to do. We don't really think about it. But actually, we should. As well as raising our blood pressure, too much salt can severely disrupt the energy balance in immune cells and stop them from working properly.

30 Apr 2021

Novel compound in avocados may offer a route to better leukemia treatment

A compound in avocados may ultimately offer a route to better leukemia treatment, says a new University of Guelph study.

29 Apr 2021

Researchers discover how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cell machinery to blunt immune response

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have discovered one way in which SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, hijacks human cell machinery to blunt the immune response, allowing it to establish infection, replicate and cause disease.

29 Apr 2021

Pancreatic cancer cells de-differentiate to spawn highly aggressive tumors, study shows

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has identified a previously unrecognized mechanism by which cancer cells of a relatively benign subtype of pancreatic tumors methodically revert-or "de-differentiate"-to a progenitor, or immature, state of cellular development to spawn highly aggressive tumors that are capable of metastasis to the liver and lymph nodes.

29 Apr 2021

Researchers investigate how the brain's circadian rhythm control center regulates behavior

Our bodies and behaviors often seem to have rhythms of their own. Why do we go to the bathroom at the same time every day? Why do we feel off if we can't go to sleep at the right time? Circadian rhythms are a behind-the-scenes force that shape many of our behaviors and our health.

28 Apr 2021

New method could be used to develop more effective treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method that makes it possible to control human hormones and metabolism.

28 Apr 2021

Nanobodies may be the key to blocking tick-borne bacterial infection

Tiny molecules called nanobodies, which can be designed to mimic antibody structures and functions, may be the key to blocking a tick-borne bacterial infection that remains out of reach of almost all antibiotics, new research suggests.

28 Apr 2021

Molecule News and Research

A single archaeal enzyme can produce a spectacular range of natural and non-natural cardiolipins

Cryptic pocket on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 may be a promising treatment target

Study reports vitamin C inhibits SARS-CoV-2 virus main protease

Could stem cells improve the outcome of ARDS in severe COVID-19?

Researchers identify potent small molecule TMPRSS2 inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2

Researchers develop new technology to reduce high error rates in gene sequencing

Researchers identify mechanism of platelet hyperactivation in COVID-19 patients

Unique system detects small changes in DNA structures

Four-part small-molecule cocktail can prevent cellular stress

New computational tool helps screen molecules for their potential COVID-fighting properties

Researchers discover new way to improve the subcutaneous administration of mRNA

SARS-CoV-2 study in human gut organoids

Study reveals new broadly neutralizing and protective antibody against coronaviruses

Too much salt affects the functioning of phagocytes

Novel compound in avocados may offer a route to better leukemia treatment

Researchers discover how SARS-CoV-2 hijacks human cell machinery to blunt immune response

Pancreatic cancer cells de-differentiate to spawn highly aggressive tumors, study shows

Researchers investigate how the brain's circadian rhythm control center regulates behavior

New method could be used to develop more effective treatments for cancer, metabolic disorders

Nanobodies may be the key to blocking tick-borne bacterial infection

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo

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