Biochemistry News and Research

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New synthetic biology breakthrough improves genetic circuit integration

The research team led by Professor Jongmin Kim from the Department of Life Sciences at POSTECH, along with graduate students Hyunseop Goh and Seungdo Choi, has successfully developed the 'Synthetic Translational Coupling Element (SynTCE),' significantly enhancing the precision and integration density of genetic circuits in synthetic biology.

20 Dec 2024

The crucial role of 'chaperones' in maintaining neuronal function

A team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts Amherst is the first to show how proteins called "chaperones" are vital in ensuring that neurons can transmit signals to one another. When this neurotransmission breaks down, devastating diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's along with many others, can occur.

20 Dec 2024

Unleashing the potential of biological timekeeping

Living organisms monitor time – and react to it – in many different ways, from detecting light and sound in microseconds to responding physiologically in pre-programmed ways, via their daily sleep cycle, monthly menstrual cycle, or to changes in the seasons.

19 Dec 2024

Vanderbilt researchers achieve milestone in Alzheimer's drug development

Researchers at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery, a clinical stage biotech within the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine Basic Sciences, have detailed the successful drug discovery of a phase I single ascending dose clinical trial of VU319, a drug for memory loss in people with Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia.

19 Dec 2024

Free cholesterol in HDL linked to increased cardiovascular disease risk

Houston Methodist researchers have discovered that certain components of so-called "good" cholesterol -- high-density lipoproteins (HDL) – may be associated with an increased prevalence of cardiovascular disease.

19 Dec 2024

Chemogenetic activation reveals male-female differences in stress resistance neural circuits

Subtle activation of a small subset of neurons in one region of the brain can make male mice resilient to, and even reverse, the detrimental effects of chronic stress. The same is true for female mice, but in a totally different region of the brain.

19 Dec 2024

A novel approach to combatting prostate cancer

New research by a team of Indiana University School of Medicine scientists and their collaborators has uncovered a novel vulnerability in prostate cancer animal models that starves prostate tumors of critical nutrients and stunts their growth, which could lead to the development of new treatments for the deadly disease.

19 Dec 2024

Understanding metformin's mechanism in reducing blood sugar

Millions of people take metformin, a Type 2 diabetes medication that lowers blood sugar. The "wonder drug" has also been shown to slow cancer growth, improve COVID outcomes and reduce inflammation. But until now, scientists have been unable to determine how, exactly, the drug works.

18 Dec 2024

Breakthrough discovery opens doors for targeting adhesion GPCRs with drugs

Almost 35% of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration work by targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), proteins embedded in cell membranes that allow cells to communicate with each other.

18 Dec 2024

Novel drug holds promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy

A novel drug holds promise for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), a rare genetic disorder that causes severe muscle degeneration.

16 Dec 2024

Dinuclear platinum(II) complexes could offer a more targeted approach to treating prostate cancer

Prostate cancer remains a global health challenge, ranking as the second most commonly diagnosed cancer among men.

16 Dec 2024

Flavonoid kaempferol could offer natural relief for food allergies

Allergic diseases such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and food allergies have been increasing in frequency over the last few years.

16 Dec 2024

Study reveals tumor and immune cell interactions in craniopharyngiomas

Craniopharyngiomas are brain tumors that negatively impact the hormonal function of the nearby pituitary.

16 Dec 2024

TTUHSC researcher to uncover mechanisms that regulate gene expression in Alzheimer's disease

More than six million Americans are affected by Alzheimer's disease, a form of dementia marked by accumulation of amyloid-β within the brain. Amyloid-β is a relatively small protein that forms toxic plaques in the brain contributing to the harmful effects of Alzheimer's disease.

14 Dec 2024

Penn-led consortium to advance imaging of brain diseases

A Penn Medicine-led consortium of radiology and chemistry researchers across the United States will advance imaging of diseases like Parkinson's by testing radiotracers they identified that illuminate α-synuclein (αSyn) or 4R tau proteins on positron emission tomography (PET) scans.

11 Dec 2024

Study unveils how Toxoplasma gondii parasites escape drug treatment

A study by Indiana University School of Medicine researchers sheds new light on how Toxoplasma gondii parasites make the proteins they need to enter a dormant stage that allows them to escape drug treatment.

10 Dec 2024

47th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium kicks off in December

Mays Cancer Center at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio), in partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), is hosting the 47th annual San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Dec. 10-13.

9 Dec 2024

MRI-based imaging technique predicts the response of ovarian cancer to treatment

An MRI-based imaging technique developed at the University of Cambridge predicts the response of ovarian cancer tumors to treatment, and rapidly reveals how well treatment is working, in patient-derived cell models.

6 Dec 2024

Phase one trial explores novel immunotherapy for breast cancer

A groundbreaking phase one clinical trial exploring a novel cell-based immunotherapy for breast cancer has been accepted for publication in JAMA Oncology.

5 Dec 2024

Scientists identify molecular mechanism behind idiopathic autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in communication and social behavior. Approximately 20% of cases are linked to a specific genetic mutation, but the origin of the remaining 80%, known as idiopathic autism, remains a mystery.

4 Dec 2024