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Researchers uncover how small heat shock protein interacts with other proteins

In Alzheimer's disease proteins clump together to long fibrils causing the death of nerve cells. Small heat shock proteins can counteract this effect. Scientists, therefore, hope to deploy them as agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Using the example of a small heat shock protein, researchers at the Technical University of Munich and the Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen have now uncovered how the protein interacts with other proteins.

15 Oct 2015

UTHealth biochemists expose structures of IP3R calcium channels

Calcium is a crucial element in the body that controls thought, movement and other bodily functions. These events are directed by specialized proteins called ion channels that allow the flow of calcium ions in and out of cells and among cell compartments. For years, scientists have been unsure how calcium ion channels function.

15 Oct 2015

Small heat shock protein as model for Alzheimer’s medication

In Alzheimer’s disease proteins clump together to long fibrils causing the death of nerve cells. Small heat shock proteins can counteract this effect. Scientists, therefore, hope to deploy them as agents in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Using the example of a small heat shock protein, researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and the Helmholtz Zentrum München have now uncovered how the protein interacts with other proteins.

13 Oct 2015

Researchers reveal that supercoiled DNA's shape more dynamic than well-known double helix

Researchers have imaged in unprecedented detail the three-dimensional structure of supercoiled DNA, revealing that its shape is much more dynamic than the well-known double helix.

12 Oct 2015

Researchers reveal 3-D structure of biologically active DNA

Using a multidisciplinary approach, researchers, led by those at Baylor College of Medicine, revealed in unprecedented detail the three-dimensional structure of biologically active DNA. A report on their work appears online in the journal Nature Communications.

12 Oct 2015

Expectant mothers can modify genetic information of their future child, shows new research

A new scientific discovery confirms for the first time that mothers-to-be are capable of modifying the genetics of their future child, even when the egg has been donated.

29 Sep 2015

Scientists develop new molecular toolkit to investigate protein assemblies in human disease

A photograph may reveal how something looks, but direct observation can divulge how the objects behave. The difference can mean life or death, especially when it comes to fighting human disease.

29 Sep 2015

Light-shielded delivery system for parenteral nutrition may improve survival rate of preemies

The survival rate of preemies born between 26 to 31 weeks of gestation is improved by blocking light from reaching the intravenously-fed infused nutritious mixture they depend on for survival, researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine and the University of Montreal have revealed in a new study.

28 Sep 2015

Research reveals significant information about the dynamics of bacterial gels

Research by scientists at the University of York has revealed important new information about the dynamics of bacterial gels which could ultimately suggest new ways of helping prevent or better control diseases such as cystic fibrosis.

26 Sep 2015

Research: Spindle matrix protein supports assembly of spindle matrix, microtubules in cell-division process

Every high school biology class learns about the tiny cells that comprise our bodies, as well as about many of the diverse actions that they perform.

18 Sep 2015

UC San Diego, TSRI form new consortium to map cells in space and time

Drawing on complementary strengths of two San Diego institutions, The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) and the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) have formed a new consortium with a big mission: to map cells in space and time.

18 Sep 2015

Surgeons use 3D printed implant in patient diagnosed with chest wall sarcoma

After being diagnosed with a chest wall sarcoma, a 54-year-old Spanish man's surgical team made the decision to remove his sternum and a portion of his rib cage and replace it with an implant.

14 Sep 2015

Caltech researchers find antibody that can detect, neutralize HIV viruses in infected patients

Proteins called broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) are a promising key to the prevention of infection by HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. bNAbs have been found in blood samples from some HIV patients whose immune systems can naturally control the infection.

14 Sep 2015

Rice lab invents technique to characterize nanoscale spaces in porous materials

Rice University scientists led a project to "see" and measure the space in porous materials, even if that space is too small or fragile for traditional microscopes.

10 Sep 2015

Worldwide Protein Data Bank symposium focuses on multi-scale structural biology

The symposium titled with "Integrative Structural Biology with Hybrid Methods" is held focusing on the multi-scale structural biology, which aims to analyze structures of protein molecules and their assemblies, cellular machines, organelle, and even living cells and organisms by the hybrid methods, integrating many different technologies, such as chemical cross-links, MS spectrometry, FRET, Super-resolution microscopy, X-ray diffraction, NMR, and Computer modeling, in addition to Cryo-electron microscopy that has been attracting much attention these days.

10 Sep 2015

Lund University researchers reveal how the body develops acute pancreatitis

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden may have discovered one of the keys to understanding how the body develops acute pancreatitis. The results offer hope for the development of drugs that specifically target the disease.

8 Sep 2015

Novel chemical virus can cross double lipid layer surrounding cells to release drugs

Viruses are able to redirect the functioning of cells in order to infect them. Inspired by their mode of action, scientists from the CNRS and Université de Strasbourg have designed a "chemical virus" that can cross the double lipid layer that surrounds cells, and then disintegrate in the intracellular medium in order to release active compounds.

29 Aug 2015

Researchers successfully use alcohols as reagents in alkylation reaction

Researchers at Princeton have developed a dual catalyst system that directly installs alkyl groups--fragments containing singly bonded carbon and hydrogen atoms that have extremely useful properties for drug discovery--onto compounds called heteroarenes. The new reaction uses simple and abundant alcohols and offers a milder and more widely applicable alternative to existing strategies.

28 Aug 2015

Brainbow technique reveals surprising data about brain's visual circuitry

Neuroscientists know that some connections in the brain are pruned through neural development. Function gives rise to structure, according to the textbooks. But scientists at the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute have discovered that the textbooks might be wrong.

28 Aug 2015

Cosmetic and cleaning products contain millions of plastic particles

Everyday cosmetic and cleaning products contain huge quantities of plastic particles, which are released to the environment and could be harmful to marine life, according to a new study.

27 Aug 2015