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Scripps scientists make important advance in HIV vaccine design

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have made another important advance in HIV vaccine design. The development was possible thanks to previous studies at TSRI showing the structures of a protein on HIV’s surface, called the envelope glycoprotein. The scientists used these structures to design a mimic of the viral protein from a different HIV subtype, subtype C, which is responsible for the majority of infections worldwide.

29 May 2017

Study provides vital clues to counter superbug antibiotic resistance

An international study led by Monash University has discovered the molecular mechanism by which the potentially deadly superbug 'Golden Staph' evades antibiotic treatment, providing the first important clues on how to counter superbug antibiotic resistance.

16 May 2017

Scientists solve structure of protein crucial to reproduction and spread of Zika virus

Zika virus is a mosquito-borne infectious disease linked to certain birth defects in infants in South and Central America and the United States.

11 Apr 2017

Researchers explore how sea urchins take up calcium to build hard spines

Some sea creatures cover themselves with hard shells and spines, while vertebrates build skeletons out of the same minerals. How do these animals get the calcium they need to build these strong mineral structures? Professors Lia Addadi and Steve Weiner of the Weizmann Institute of Science's Structural Biology Department asked this question about sea urchins, which need to extract quite a few calcium ions from sea water to build their spines.

6 Apr 2017

Combining anticancer drug with antirheumatic produces improved effects against tumors

Scientists at EPFL and NTU have discovered that combining an anticancer drug with an antirheumatic produces improved effects against tumors. The discovery opens a new path for drug-drug synergy.

30 Mar 2017

Platforms for NMR software for spectrometer control and data analysis announced by Bruker

New Magnetic Resonance Technologies and Applications Open New Frontiers for Biological, Chemical and Materials Research and Routine Analysis in Pharmaceutical and Chemical Industries.

28 Mar 2017

Researchers unravel how drug interacts with ribosome to halt protein production

The discovery of a chemical compound that halts the production of a small set of proteins while leaving general protein production untouched suggests a new drug search strategy: Find compounds that target undesired proteins before they are even made.

23 Mar 2017

High-resolution images of protein complex performing first step in genome-replication dance captured

It's a good thing we don't have to think about putting all the necessary pieces in place when one of our trillions of cells needs to duplicate its DNA and then divide to produce identical daughter cells.

17 Mar 2017

Scientists identify new toxic pathway for protein aggregates in ALS and FTLD

Led by professor Ludo Van Den Bosch, scientists from Belgium, the UK and the US have identified new processes that form protein "clumps" that are characteristic of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD).

17 Mar 2017

Investigational RSV vaccine protects cattle from respiratory diseases

A novel vaccine developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, protected cattle from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection, according to research published online in npj Vaccines on March 8.

10 Mar 2017

Hypoxia in primary tumors influences dormant DTCs that evade cancer therapy, study shows

In a first of its kind study, Mount Sinai researchers have discovered the conditions by which specific signals in primary tumors of head and neck and breast cancers, pre-program cancer cells to become dormant and evade chemotherapy after spreading.

28 Jan 2017

Scientists reveal chemical process behind anti-cancer properties of spicy pepper plant

UT Southwestern Medical Center scientists have uncovered the chemical process behind anti-cancer properties of a spicy Indian pepper plant called the long pepper, whose suspected medicinal properties date back thousands of years.

4 Jan 2017

Massive sequencing and coevolution unveils secrets of human protein interactions

Cells operate like an incredibly well-synchronized orchestra of molecular interactions among proteins. Understanding this molecular network is essential not only to understand how an organism works but also to determine the molecular mechanisms responsible for a multitude of diseases.

30 Dec 2016

TSRI scientists shed light on how antiviral drug stops influenza infections

A new study led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) is the first to show exactly how the drug Arbidol stops influenza infections. The research reveals that Arbidol stops the virus from entering host cells by binding within a recessed pocket on the virus.

22 Dec 2016

Mount Sinai researchers laying groundwork to find effective treatment for Zika virus

Researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai are working on the basic science that lays the groundwork to finding a way to treat and prevent the Zika virus, a global health risk.

22 Dec 2016

Scientists detail structure of molecule implicated in Alzheimer's disease

Scientists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have detailed the structure of a molecule that has been implicated in Alzheimer's disease.

21 Dec 2016

UT Southwestern researchers develop new imaging method to see proteins in action

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers developed a new imaging technique that makes X-ray images of proteins as they move in response to electric field pulses.

16 Dec 2016

Scientists develop easy-to-use software tool to detect important genetic mutations

Scientists have developed an easy-to-use software tool that can detect important genetic mutations that previously needed to be identified by a separate test.

29 Nov 2016

Elucidating IDP behaviour on crowded membranes

IDPs are proteins that contain stretches of amino-acid sequence that are flexible and do not comprise stable structure in isolation. This is in contrast with a more traditional view of proteins as largely occupying a stable native structure that correlates with functions such as enzyme activity or binding.

10 Nov 2016

Scientists unravel viral molecular strategies to counter mammalian immune system

As mammals evolve, so do mammalian viruses. In doing so, they develop creative and effective ways to counter and evade the antiviral responses of their mammal hosts' immune systems.

7 Nov 2016