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Study quantifies photoactivation efficiency of fluorescent proteins

To know how many proteins assemble together at the nanoscale is fundamental for understanding protein function. Sometimes, proteins must be in an "oligomeric" state to be functional, although "oligomerization" of certain proteins can also lead to diseases. The ability to determine protein stoichiometry and monitor changes in the balance between monomeric, dimeric and multi-meric proteins can allow scientists to see the differences between a properly functioning cell and a diseased cell. Therefore, there is a great interest in being able to count proteins and determine their stoichiometry.

7 Jan 2014

Research findings reveal how immune system responds to respiratory viral infections

An antibody that blocks a component of a key signaling pathway in the respiratory airways could help the immune system rid the body of the influenza virus, a new study suggests. The findings, from a team at The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, not only offer a new approach to treating the flu, but also add new information about how the immune system responds to respiratory viral infections.

24 Dec 2013

Study reveals that two wastewater treatment plants in China fail to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Tests at two wastewater treatment plants in northern China revealed antibiotic-resistant bacteria were not only escaping purification but also breeding and spreading their dangerous cargo.

17 Dec 2013

VG Life Sciences provides update to HCQ-sorafenib combination Phase I Study for advanced stage solid tumors

VG Life Sciences, a biotechnology company, announces today an update to its Physician-IND Phase I Study to test tolerability and toxicity of its patented technology in patients with advanced stage solid tumors.

13 Dec 2013

Names of 2014 Breakthrough Prize winners in Fundamental Physics and Life Sciences unveiled

The names of the 2014 Breakthrough Prize winners in Fundamental Physics and Life Sciences were unveiled at an exclusive ceremony at the NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, CA. At a total awarded amount of $21 million, sponsored by Sergey Brin & Anne Wojcicki, Jack Ma & Cathy Zhang, Yuri & Julia Milner and Mark Zuckerberg & Priscilla Chan, the prizes aim to celebrate scientists and generate excitement about the pursuit of science as a career.

13 Dec 2013

Study reveals pathogenic factor that triggers prion and neurodegenerative diseases

Transmissible spongiform encephalopathy or prion disease is triggered by the conversion from cellular prion protein to pathogenic prion protein.

12 Dec 2013

Shifts in zinc's location could be exploited for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Zinc, an essential nutrient, is found in every tissue in the body. The vast majority of the metal ion is tightly bound to proteins, helping them to perform biological reactions. Tiny amounts of zinc, however, are only loosely bound, or "mobile," and thought to be critical for proper function in organs such as the brain, pancreas, and prostate gland. Yet the exact roles the ion plays in biological systems are unknown.

9 Dec 2013

Ligand announces data from preclinical studies on small-molecule oral G-CSF receptor agonist

Ligand Pharmaceuticals Incorporated announced that data from preclinical studies on its granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) receptor agonist program were featured in a poster presentation today at the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology in New Orleans.

9 Dec 2013

Manipulation of Wnt/B-catenin pathway provides therapeutic targets for hair loss, skin cancer

A pathway known for its role in regulating adult stem cells has been shown to be important for hair follicle proliferation, but contrary to previous studies, is not required within hair follicle stem cells for their survival, according to researchers with the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

5 Dec 2013

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

A platform that simulates how the body defends itself: The T cells of the immune system decide whether to trigger an immune response against foreign substances.

5 Dec 2013

Scientists identify new approach to fight malaria parasites

Using advanced methodologies that pit drug compounds against specific types of malaria parasite cells, an international team of scientists, including researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and the Genomics Institute of the Novartis Research Foundation, have identified a potential new weapon and approach for attacking the parasites that cause malaria.

28 Nov 2013

Researchers identify immune cell protein that sets off body's initial response against viral infection

A Massachusetts General Hospital-led research team has identified an immune cell protein that is critical to setting off the body's initial response against viral infection. The report that will be published in an upcoming issue of Nature Immunology and is receiving early online release describes finding that a protein called GEF-H1 is essential to the ability of macrophages - major contributors to the innate immune system - to respond to viral infections like influenza.

25 Nov 2013

Small molecule compound shows significant success in controlling polyomaviruses

A team of scientists reports that a small molecule compound showed significant success in controlling the infectivity and spread of three polyomaviruses in human cell cultures. To date there has been no medicine approved to treat such viruses, which prey on transplant recipients, people with HIV, and others whose immune systems have been weakened.

15 Nov 2013

Novel approach confirms dysfunctional energy production in schizophrenia

A method of directly assessing creatine kinase in the brain provides “direct and compelling” evidence for abnormal bioenergetics in the brains of patients with schizophrenia, say the study authors.

12 Nov 2013

Immunocore achieves first milestone in major research and licensing agreement with GSK

Immunocore Limited, the Oxford-based biotechnology company developing novel biological drugs to treat cancer and viral disease, today announced the achievement of its first milestone in its major research and licensing agreement with GlaxoSmithKline for multiple novel targets.

7 Nov 2013

S14G-humanin: New effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Humanin is a potential therapeutic agent for Alzheimer's disease, and its derivative, S14G-humanin, is 1 000-fold stronger in its neuroprotective effect against Alzheimer's disease-relevant insults. Al-though effective, the detailed molecular mechanism through which S14G-humanin exerts its effects remains unclear.

31 Oct 2013

Mice exploit IRG proteins to create resistance mechanism against toxoplasma infection

One of the commonest parasites in the world is Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasma can infect most warm-blooded animals, including humans, and causes significant damage to the unborn child if a woman becomes infected for the first time during pregnancy.

30 Oct 2013

Fat recycling system may provide target for future diabetes therapies

The pancreas is a large organ that wraps around our gut, and produces the exact amount of insulin our bodies need when we eat - except when we start to develop diabetes, and insulin production slows down. Sydney scientists describe how a fat recycling system within pancreatic 'beta cells' determines the amount of insulin they secrete, and so may provide a target for future diabetes therapies.

30 Oct 2013

New understanding of sperm capacitation may improve IVF success rates

Two new papers from reproductive biologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with international partners, report advances in understanding the basic processes of sperm capacitation that may one day improve success rates of in vitro fertilization (IVF) by providing a shortcut to bypass problems, and may eventually lead to a male contraceptive.

29 Oct 2013

Research brings hope of new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids

New research from Japan brings hope of a new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids. In a study published today in the journal Nature Communications, researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences and Keio University in Japan report that a type of lymphocytes called natural helper ells plays a critical role in corticosteroid resistance and demonstrate that the anti-psychotic drug Pimozide can be used to overcome resistance to steroids in severe asthma patients.

25 Oct 2013

Intracellular News and Research

Study quantifies photoactivation efficiency of fluorescent proteins

Research findings reveal how immune system responds to respiratory viral infections

Study reveals that two wastewater treatment plants in China fail to kill antibiotic-resistant bacteria

VG Life Sciences provides update to HCQ-sorafenib combination Phase I Study for advanced stage solid tumors

Names of 2014 Breakthrough Prize winners in Fundamental Physics and Life Sciences unveiled

Study reveals pathogenic factor that triggers prion and neurodegenerative diseases

Shifts in zinc's location could be exploited for early diagnosis of prostate cancer

Ligand announces data from preclinical studies on small-molecule oral G-CSF receptor agonist

Manipulation of Wnt/B-catenin pathway provides therapeutic targets for hair loss, skin cancer

"Virtual T cell" predicts how human immune system reacts to foreign substances

Scientists identify new approach to fight malaria parasites

Researchers identify immune cell protein that sets off body's initial response against viral infection

Small molecule compound shows significant success in controlling polyomaviruses

Novel approach confirms dysfunctional energy production in schizophrenia

Immunocore achieves first milestone in major research and licensing agreement with GSK

S14G-humanin: New effective treatment for Alzheimer's disease

Mice exploit IRG proteins to create resistance mechanism against toxoplasma infection

Fat recycling system may provide target for future diabetes therapies

New understanding of sperm capacitation may improve IVF success rates

Research brings hope of new treatment for asthma patients resistant to corticosteroids

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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