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The Wonder of DNA: Reflections from Dr. Francis Collins on the 20th Anniversary of the Human Genome Project

To highlight how far the field of genetics has come, we spoke with Dr. Francis Collins, the leader of the Human Genome Project about his incredible career in genetics.

25 Apr 2023

Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons promotes the progression of Alzheimer's disease

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are typical organic compounds found in cigarette smoke and vehicle exhaust. In addition, PAHs are produced from incomplete combustion of organic material and cooking.

24 Apr 2023

Study uncovers a novel fold within the SARS-CoV-2 replication co-factor non-structural protein 9

Researchers present the crystal structure of an anti-non-structural protein 9 specific nanobody in complex with the SARS-CoV-2 nsp9.

15 Apr 2023

Environmental exposures during pregnancy can affect obesity risk differently in girls and boys, according to a study

A study published in the journal BMC Medicine describes that the risk of obesity and neurodevelopmental delay can vary between boys and girls concerning certain types of prenatal exposures. The study identifies a combination of four exposure levels that protect girls from developing these complications.

13 Apr 2023

Scientists isolate two antibodies that neutralize all current SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Researchers found antibodies that neutralize all current SARS-CoV-2 variants.

11 Apr 2023

Is mRNA decoding in humans structurally and kinetically distinct from bacteria?

Researchers examined molecular-level differences in ribosomal translational fidelity between humans and bacteria.

7 Apr 2023

Elucidating the function of BRCA2 gene offers insight into cancer development

A new study shows exactly how the gene BRCA2, linked to susceptibility to breast and ovarian cancer, functions to repair damaged DNA.

3 Apr 2023

Researchers elucidate how a single mutation causes episodic ataxia type 6

Worldwide, only a handful of patients are known to suffer from episodic ataxia type 6, a neurological disease that causes transient loss of muscle control.

3 Apr 2023

Avanced genome editing technology could be used as a one-time treatment for CD3 delta SCID

A new UCLA-led study suggests that advanced genome editing technology could be used as a one-time treatment for the rare and deadly genetic disease CD3 delta severe combined immunodeficiency.

21 Mar 2023

Engineering epitope scaffolds of conserved regions of SARS-CoV-2 spike

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, researchers engineered epitope scaffolds (ESs) of conserved regions of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein.

3 Mar 2023

Study characterizes N-terminal domain structure of a ubiquitin ligase TRAF6

A team of international scientists has recently characterized the structure of tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) N-terminal domain for therapeutic purposes.

28 Feb 2023

Antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 are higher in infants than in mothers

Researchers characterize the functional and binding antibody responses against SARS-CoV-2 in postpartum women and their infected infants.

9 Feb 2023

New biosensor chip may increase accessibility to high-quality diagnostics

DNA can signal the presence of or predisposition to a slew of diseases, including cancer. The ability to flag down these clues, known as biomarkers, allows medical professionals to make critical early diagnoses and provide personalized treatments.

24 Jan 2023

Recently discovered protein holds potential for the development of new tests for infectious diseases

In a first for the genetic toolset known as CRISPR, a recently discovered protein has been found to act as a kind of multipurpose self-destruct system for bacteria, capable of degrading single-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA and double-stranded DNA.

4 Jan 2023

Structure and function of a newly discovered CRISPR immune system revealed

In a rare feat, Utah State University biochemists Thomson Hallmark and Ryan Jackson, along with collaborators, published not one, but two seminal papers in a top-tier, peer-reviewed journal this week.

4 Jan 2023

Researchers design 3D structures made of DNA

Marvel at the tiny nanoscale structures emerging from research labs at Duke University and Arizona State University, and it's easy to imagine you're browsing a catalog of the world's smallest pottery.

23 Dec 2022

Cryo-electron microscopy reveals atomic structure of Staphylococcus epidermidis bacteriophage

Cryo-electron microscopy by University of Alabama at Birmingham researchers has exposed the structure of a bacterial virus with unprecedented detail.

18 Dec 2022

The implications of pulmonary tissue-resident memory T lymphocytes in COVID-19 and other respiratory diseases

Researchers elucidated the mechanisms of long-term T lymphocyte lodgement in tissues other than lymphoid tissues and the reasons for the transient residency of specific subsets of tissue-resident memory T (TRM) lymphocytes.

14 Dec 2022

Novel prefusion S antigen designed by the mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein’s trimeric structure

Researchers mutated the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein's trimeric structure to design a novel prefusion S antigen, S2D14.

1 Dec 2022

Scientists discover how an enzyme involved in DNA repair becomes vital to tumor survival

Scientists at the Francis Crick Institute, in collaboration with Artios, have identified how an enzyme involved in DNA repair (POLQ), becomes vital to the survival of certain cancers, if the cancer cells lose the ability to use a more common method of DNA repair.

30 Nov 2022