Structural Biology News and Research

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Small segment of a protein can control normal expression of genes: Research

In a major cancer-research breakthrough, researchers at the McGill University, Department of Biochemistry have discovered that a small segment of a protein that interacts with RNA can control the normal expression of genes - including those that are active in cancer.

27 May 2010

Vanderbilt University orders Bruker's AVANCE III 900 US2 NMR spectrometer

Bruker, the leader in analytical magnetic resonance instrumentation, announces a major multi-systems NMR order from Vanderbilt University, including an ultra-high field AVANCE™ III 900 US2 NMR spectrometer. This purchase was made possible in large part by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Vanderbilt will use these NMR instruments for a broad range of biophysical and structural analyses in biomedical research, as well as for cancer drug discovery using fragment-based approaches and structure-based drug design.

20 May 2010

Evotec and Genentech sign drug discovery deal

Evotec AG today announced that it has entered into a multi-year integrated drug discovery alliance with Genentech Inc., a wholly owned member of the Roche Group (SWX:RO) (SIX:ROG) (Pink Sheets:RHHBY), to discover novel small molecule therapeutics.

10 May 2010

Cryo-EM images shed light on virus structure, function

UCLA researchers report in the April 30 edition of the journal Cell that they have imaged a virus structure at a resolution high enough to effectively "see" atoms, the first published instance of imaging biological complexes at such a resolution.

5 May 2010

NIH awards CSU biochemists $7.8M grant to study gene regulation within cells

A team of top biochemists at Colorado State University will investigate how chromosomes untangle to expose genes that dictate cell behavior - a unique project that could have a significant impact on understanding human health.

5 May 2010

Crystal structures of key fluorescent proteins to "light up" molecules in cells

Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have determined the crystal structures of two key fluorescent proteins - one blue, one red - used to "light up" molecules in cells.

23 Apr 2010

Bruker launches new compact, high field NMR magnet series

At the 51st ENC, Bruker launches its new Ascend™ series of compact, high field NMR magnets to make high-field NMR even more powerful, and at the same time more convenient and accessible for numerous NMR laboratories. This new magnet line combines the key advantages of Bruker's well-established UltraShield™ Plus magnets, with further innovations for superior performance and greater convenience.

20 Apr 2010

Accumulation of mutated protein may explain damaging cellular behavior in Huntington's disease

In a step towards a possible treatment for Huntington's disease, scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have shown for the first time that the accumulation of a mutated protein may explain damaging cellular behavior in Huntington's disease. Their research is described in the April 11 online edition of Nature Neuroscience.

12 Apr 2010

Major breakthrough may help develop low toxicity drugs for sleeping sickness

Scientists from the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee - working together with partners at the University of York and the Structural Genomics Consortium in Toronto - have made a major breakthrough in identifying new treatments for a fatal disease which infects tens of thousands of Africans each year.

1 Apr 2010

Complete structure of Insulin receptor discovered - may assist in drug development for diabetes

Insulin is one of the most commonly used therapeutic agents used in diabetes. While the structure of this complex protein has been studied in detail there were parts of the receptor for insulin that were not clearly defined till now. This receptor is a protein that exists on the surfaces of cells and binds to the insulin molecule. These receptors are responsible for the action of insulin on the cells.

24 Mar 2010

CRT, Cephalon to collaborate on development of small molecule inhibitors against cancer

Cancer Research Technology has announced an exclusive agreement with Cephalon, Inc., an international biotechnology company, to collaborate on the development of small molecule inhibitors. These molecules will target specific members of the 'protein kinase C' superfamily of cell signalling proteins - which have been shown to be associated with the development of cancer.

22 Mar 2010

Three researchers to be honored with SBS Award for achievement in biomolecular sciences and lead discovery

The Society for Biomolecular Sciences will honor three researchers for their substantial contributions to the field of drug discovery. Each recipient will accept their award and speak at the SBS 16th Annual Conference & Exhibition in Phoenix, Arizona, April 11-15, 2010.

9 Mar 2010

Eleven Biotherapeutics announces completion of $35M Series A funding

Eleven Biotherapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on translating breakthrough discoveries from science and medicine to engineer and develop innovative protein-based therapeutics, announced today it has completed a $35 million Series A financing co-led by Flagship Ventures and Third Rock Ventures. Proceeds from the financing will be used to build the research and development and business development teams for Eleven Biotherapeutics, in addition to advancing the company’s portfolio of engineered proteins through clinical proof of concept.

17 Feb 2010

Muscle-preserving therapy development may help young men keep muscle shirts a bit longer

Hey guys, remember the muscle shirts we wore in our teens and 20s? After the age of 40 that meager part of our wardrobes usually is obsolete. Yes, at the big 4-0 we begin to lose muscle, and by age 80 up to a third of it may be gone. It's an inevitable process of aging called sarcopenia.

15 Feb 2010

IBM, VLSCI scientists to use Blue Gene supercomputer to study human disease

IBM today announced a Research collaboratory in Melbourne, Australia, where scientists from the Victorian Life Sciences Computational Initiative at the University of Melbourne and the IBM Research Computational Biology Center will use high performance computing – including IBM's Blue Gene supercomputer – to study human disease.

12 Feb 2010