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Error rate of bacterial DNA polymerase is consistently higher under microgravity, study shows

On 22 May 2019, scientists from Queen's University boarded a modified Falcon 20 aircraft at Ottawa airport. Scheduled was a 'vomit comet' flight, where the plane repeatedly climbs to 8km in a steep parabola, alternating with a descent in freefall.

29 Nov 2021

A canine coronavirus zoonotic spillover and tropism shift

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21 Nov 2021

Structure of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein postfusion

A new study published in PNAS proposes a higher resolution in situ structure of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in its postfusion state.

18 Nov 2021

SARS-CoV-2 protease suppresses host immune response by cleaving NEMO

A recent study conducted by a team of US-based scientists has highlighted a novel function of 3C-like protease of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The protease has been found to cleave a human immune signaling protein called NF-kB Essential Modulator (NEMO) and disrupt the host immune response.

16 Nov 2021

The difference in the dynamics of SARS-COV-2 variants

A new study provides a detailed description of the varying interactions between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cell ACE-2 receptor.

27 Oct 2021

What impact does temperature have on SARS-CoV-2 M protein dynamics?

In a recent study, the structural dynamics of the SARS-CoV-2 M protein are studied at temperatures of 10-50 ˚C using molecular dynamics simulations.

10 Oct 2021

Novel peptide-drug conjugate enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy in preclinical cancer models

A peptide-drug conjugate that targets the acidic environment of cancer cells enhanced the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors in preclinical cancer models, according to results presented at the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held October 7-10, 2021.

7 Oct 2021

Graphene biosensor in a portable and wireless device for rapid SARS-CoV-2 detection

A new study posted to the medRxiv* server and led by Dr. Mattia D'Agostino, Dr. Eleonora Pavoni and Dr. Alice Romagnoli from the Polytechnic University of Marche in Ancona (Italy), a gFET biosensor that uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) as a bioreceptor has been put forth as a viable solution.

6 Oct 2021

Researchers solve 3D structure of supramolecular protein nanoparticle using cryo-electron microscopy

Nanoparticles and nanocages are attractive materials that may be applied in color agents, catalysts, and drug delivery. For real-world use, it is necessary to produce a large number of nanoparticles of uniform size and shape, but thus far, nanoparticle formation methods using metals have been widely researched, and the formation of nanoparticles with a certain shape and size have been realized.

6 Oct 2021

Two proteins joined together using a free-standing, rigid link

Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI are the first to have joined two proteins together by means of a free-standing, rigid link. The structural element holds the two protein molecules together at a defined distance and angle, much the way a barbell handle connects two weights.

29 Sep 2021

Supercoiling and looping can transmit mechanical stress along the DNA backbone, research shows

When people think of DNA, they visualize a string-like double helix structure. In reality, the DNA double helix in cells is supercoiled and constrained into loops. This supercoiling and looping are known to influence every aspect of DNA activity, but how this happens has not been clear.

28 Sep 2021

Novel spike NTD mutations in SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant associated with increased viral loads and immune evasion

Researchers from the University of Southern California investigated mutations in the N-terminal and RBD domains of the spike protein.

20 Sep 2021

Grouping EGFR mutations provides an accurate way to match lung cancer patients to the right drugs

Researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have discovered that grouping epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations by structure and function provide an accurate framework to match patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the right drugs.

16 Sep 2021

GIST researchers unravel coordination mechanism of base excision repair

A new study by researchers from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology in the Republic of Korea has revealed the mechanism of DNA repair by enzymes exonuclease III and polymerase I by utilizing single molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer (smFRET)-enabled dynamic observation.

14 Sep 2021

How do glycans affect SARS-CoV-2 spike protein openings?

In a paper recently uploaded to the bioRxiv* preprint server, the role of glycan coating on the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is further investigated by molecular dynamics simulations of the glycosylated and non-glycosylated protein, identifying several key glycans that play a role in stabilizing and protecting the RBD, and also encourage bonding with the ACE2 receptor.

18 Aug 2021

Two monoclonal antibodies broadly neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern

Researchers in the United States and Canada have described the structural basis and mode of action for two monoclonal antibodies that potently neutralize severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Aug 2021

Monoclonal antibody could inform development of pan-coronavirus vaccines

Researchers in the United States have demonstrated the potential of a monoclonal antibody to inform the design of pan-coronavirus vaccines that could prevent the outbreak of future pandemics such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

4 Aug 2021

Organic food intake linked with better fluid intelligence and working memory in children

A study analyzing the association between a wide variety of prenatal and childhood exposures and neuropsychological development in school-age children has found that organic food intake is associated with better scores on tests of fluid intelligence (ability to solve novel reasoning problems) and working memory (ability of the brain to retain new information while it is needed in the short term).

30 Jun 2021

SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant likely to become dominant in the United States

Researchers have conducted a study showing that the B.1.1.7 lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that emerged in the UK is now rapidly being displaced as the dominant strain in the United States by the variants of concern B.1.617.2 (Delta) and P.1 (Gamma) that emerged in India and Brazil, respectively.

23 Jun 2021

Researchers review the origins of SARS-CoV-2 and present treatment methods

A million more questions arise for every answer we have against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Where did it come from? And will it ever go away? A recent article published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology reviews what scientists currently know about the origin, SARS-CoV-2 structure, and potential treatments against this new virus.