Protein News and Research

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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

Scientists reveal how cGAS-STING fuels brain inflammation and neurodegeneration

The cGAS-STING pathway is emerging as a key driver of chronic neuroinflammation through its effects on glial activation, neuronal stress, blood-brain barrier integrity, and type I interferon signaling. The review highlights why selective, context-dependent modulation of cGAS-STING could help treat neurodegenerative diseases, while preserving its essential roles in antiviral defense and tumor surveillance.

10 Jun 2026

Western diet weakens the gut’s nervous system through iron-dependent damage

A JCI study found that exposure to a Western diet in mice and to palmitic acid in murine and ex vivo human enteric nervous system models triggered ferroptosis, characterized by iron loading, lipid peroxidation, mitochondrial stress, and enteric neuronal loss. Boosting Nrf2 signaling protected enteric neurons and prevented Western diet-induced delayed colonic transit in mice, pointing to a potential pathway linking dietary fat exposure to gut motility dysfunction.

10 Jun 2026

Researchers uncover immune loop driving Sjögren's disease progression

Sjögren's disease is a widespread chronic autoimmune disorder that attacks the body's own glands, yet its underlying disease mechanisms remain poorly understood.

10 Jun 2026

Short-term fasting may reduce inflammation linked to gum disease

People who follow a short-term low-calorie diet may have reduced markers of inflammation associated with gum disease.

10 Jun 2026

Silver nanoparticles enable precise DNA cutting and assembly

DNA is composed of long chains that act as the blueprint for living organisms. In genetic engineering, scientists cut DNA at specific sites and join the resulting fragments to other DNA sequences, enabling applications such as advanced crop breeding, genetic disease treatment, and the generation of animal models for drug discovery.

10 Jun 2026

Automated self-driving labs accelerate the search for new medicines

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto and the Structural Genomics Consortium (SGC) announced today a formalized partnership to help tackle a persistent challenge in biomedicine and early drug discovery: the development of bioactive molecules with drug-like properties, advancing our understanding of human health and disease and jump-starting new drug discovery programs.

10 Jun 2026

Why Andes hantavirus is not the next COVID-19

Research highlights fundamental differences between Andes hantavirus and SARS-CoV-2, emphasizing distinct transmission routes and public health implications.

10 Jun 2026

Plant-based quinoa burgers reduce post-meal blood sugar spikes

A study reveals that plant-based burgers with baru pulp and red quinoa trigger lower blood sugar spikes than glucose, highlighting their potential in nutrition.

10 Jun 2026

Apitegromab helps tirzepatide users lose fat while preserving lean mass

A phase 2 trial found that apitegromab plus tirzepatide reduced lean body mass loss by 1.9 kg compared with tirzepatide plus placebo after 24 weeks, while overall weight loss remained similar.

9 Jun 2026

New antibiotic from soil bacteria targets drug-resistant superbugs

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered a new antibiotic that may be a bulwark in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs, according to new research published in Nature.

9 Jun 2026

Study identifies key protein driving colon cancer drug resistance

One of the most widely used chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal cancer is 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), a cornerstone treatment that has improved outcomes for countless patients.

9 Jun 2026

New study frames altered protein modifications as cancer drivers

Cancer has often been explained through mutations in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or changes in ribonucleic acid (RNA), but these layers do not fully explain why tumors with similar genetic profiles can behave differently.

9 Jun 2026

Realistic cellular conditions revive previously dismissed drug candidates

A drug once dismissed as ineffective suddenly worked - when scientists tested it under more realistic conditions that mimic the human body.

9 Jun 2026

Active β-catenin promotes aggressive spread of childhood bone cancer

A new research paper was recently published in Volume 17 of Genes & Cancer, titled "Active Beta-Catenin (ABC) promotes an invasive phenotype in pediatric osteosarcoma."

9 Jun 2026

Houston researcher identifies new targets for fatal rhabdomyosarcoma

A cancer researcher at the University of Houston is reporting what makes malignant soft tissue cancer grow in children, identifying key mechanisms and molecular targets to prevent tumor progression in patients in future therapies of the fatal rhabdomyosarcoma.

9 Jun 2026

How Programmable Nanobiology Could Drive the Fifth Industrial Revolution

Professor Heddle's insights on nanobiology and AI highlight their potential to innovate drug delivery and vaccine development, addressing critical health needs.

9 Jun 2026

Common joint supplement may accelerate Alzheimer's disease progression

New research has found an association between taking glucosamine, a popular over-the-counter supplement used for joint pain, and a higher likelihood of progressing from mild cognitive impairment to Alzheimer's disease.

9 Jun 2026

Protein repair defects linked to hidden heart failure

Researchers in the del Monte Lab at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) are the first to observe defects in the protein repair system associated with the peculiar, misfolded protein plaques previously observed in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM ).

9 Jun 2026

Study reveals protein driving fast-twitch muscle formation

University of Maine researchers have published new findings about how muscles form, why certain muscle diseases develop and why symptoms may not appear until years after muscle degeneration begins.

8 Jun 2026

Blocking immune pathway slows Huntington disease in mouse models

Huntington disease is a rare, inherited brain disorder that progressively destroys nerve cells, leading to worsening movement, cognitive and psychiatric symptoms.

8 Jun 2026