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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Discovery of 5-formylcytosine as an activating epigenetic switch

The team of Professor Christof Niehrs at the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) in Mainz, Germany, has discovered that a DNA modification called 5-formylcytosine (5fC) functions as an activating epigenetic switch that kick-starts genes in early embryonic development.

18 Sep 2024

A novel approach to biomolecule engineering

Thanks to a serendipitous discovery and a lot of painstaking work, scientists can now build biohybrid molecules that combine the homing powers of DNA with the broad functional repertoire of proteins -; without having to synthesize them one by one, researchers report in a new study. Using a naturally occurring process, laboratories can harness the existing molecule-building capacities of bacteria to generate vast libraries of potentially therapeutic DNA-protein hybrid molecules.

18 Sep 2024

Ohio State's novel DHODH inhibitor enters first human trials

A new therapeutic agent discovered and developed at The Ohio State University will soon be used for cancer treatment at the patient's bedside as part of a clinical trial.

17 Sep 2024

Cell rejuvenation atlas unveils master regulators of rejuvenation strategies

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed by MEDLINE/PubMed as "Aging (Albany NY)" and "Aging-US" by Web of Science), Volume 16, Issue 17 on September 9, 2024, entitled, "The cell rejuvenation atlas: leveraging network biology to identify master regulators of rejuvenation strategies."

16 Sep 2024

How stress reduces sperm motility by altering mitochondria

Researchers investigate the effects of perceived stress on sperm motility and maturation.

16 Sep 2024

Cardiovascular risks of COVID-19 antivirals

Study reviews cardiovascular side effects linked to antiviral therapies for COVID-19, highlighting the need for careful consideration when prescribing these drugs to high-risk patients.

16 Sep 2024

NIH funds new research to combat emerging viruses

Albert Einstein College of Medicine has received a five-year, $14 million per year grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to participate in a broad national effort to develop "plug-and-play" vaccines and antibody-based therapies against a wide range of emerging viruses. The grant is part of NIAID's new Research and Development of Vaccines and Monoclonal Antibodies for Pandemic Preparedness (ReVAMPP) Network, which was announced earlier today.

14 Sep 2024

Assessing the environmental impact of biotechnological pesticides

Biotechnological pesticides are a promising alternative to traditional chemical pesticides. But we have limited knowledge of how toxic they are to other organisms in the environment beyond regulatory assessments.

13 Sep 2024

Researchers uncover why typically normal protein drives prostate cancer

NSD-2 is crucial for AR activity in prostate cancer, promoting tumor growth and offering a potential therapeutic target for advanced prostate cancer treatment.

12 Sep 2024

Endurance exercise transforms fat tissue and boosts metabolic health in adults with obesity

Regular endurance exercise significantly remodels abdominal subcutaneous fat in adults with obesity, enhancing its metabolic function and contributing to better cardiometabolic health.

11 Sep 2024

Antibiotics disrupt protective gut mucus and heighten IBD risk

In a landmark study published today in Science Advances, Dr. Shai Bel and his research team at the Azrieli Faculty of Medicine of Bar-Ilan University have uncovered crucial insights into how antibiotic use increases the risk of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

11 Sep 2024

Scripps Research develops breakthrough technique for adding unique amino acids to proteins

It's a dogma taught in every introductory biology class: Proteins are composed of combinations of 20 different amino acids, arranged into diverse sequences like words.

11 Sep 2024

Study on Arabidopsis thaliana plants reveals new insights into epigenetic regulation

One of the most fascinating discoveries in biology is that cells have mechanisms for dynamically regulating genetic expression.

11 Sep 2024

New molecular map offers insights into human physiology and disease

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine in Qatar (WCM-Q) have created an intricate molecular map of the human body and its complex physiological processes based on the analysis of thousands of molecules measured in blood, urine and saliva samples from 391 volunteers.

11 Sep 2024

New target identified for potential ALS therapy

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons.

10 Sep 2024

Cell-free RNA analysis enhances early detection of pediatric inflammatory conditions

RNA is expelled from cells via cell death or active release, and can then find its way into blood plasma. A Cornell University-led collaboration has developed machine learning models that use these cell-free molecular RNA dregs to diagnose pediatric inflammatory conditions that are difficult to differentiate.

9 Sep 2024