Structural Biology News and Research

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Study identifies cellular receptors for alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School has identified a set of cellular receptors for at least three related alphaviruses shared across mosquitoes, humans, and animals that host the virus.

17 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 Delta binds more strongly to furin protease than other existing variants

Researchers conducted a computational analysis of the furin cleavage domain (FCD) of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, as well as several other viruses.

10 Jan 2022

Multiscale model reveals the importance of lipids to the signaling dynamics of RAS proteins

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers and a multi-institutional team of scientists have developed a highly detailed, machine learning-backed multiscale model revealing the importance of lipids to the signaling dynamics of RAS, a family of proteins whose mutations are linked to numerous cancers.

10 Jan 2022

Protein-based nanoparticle vaccines for protection against SARS-CoV-2

A recent review article discusses recent advances in protein-based nanoparticle vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

22 Dec 2021

Study reveals how gut bacteria can impact the course of neurological diseases

A New York-based, multi-institutional research team has found high levels of three toxic metabolites produced by gut bacteria in the cerebrospinal fluid and plasma samples of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

21 Dec 2021

Research reveals the structure and function of a bifunctional protein that transports heme

Heme is an essential part of the protein hemoglobin, which colors human blood red. Heme also is crucial for cytochrome proteins, which power the cell. Humans, animals, plants and bacteria all use heme.

21 Dec 2021

Computational analysis of the effect of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant spike protein mutations

A new study highlights the potential evolutionary trade-off observed in the omicron variant, detailing the dynamics of the protein structure, its interactions, and subsequent effects.

20 Dec 2021

$1.5 million award helps U-M researchers to gain new window into the inner workings of cells

The precise shapes of proteins at work inside our cells offer essential clues about the processes that drive health and disease. Structural biologists determine the forms of molecular machines, in atomic detail, to better understand how they function or what happens when they malfunction.

15 Dec 2021

The mode of action of essential proteins involved in cancer and Alzheimer´s deciphered

The proteins that belong to the HAT family are essential for life as they transport amino acids across the cell membrane. Although the members of this family are practically identical, some transport certain amino acids and not others.

29 Nov 2021

Novel technique solves structure of the HIV capsid alone and in complex with host factors

A new technique using electron tomography and subtomogram averaging at Diamond's electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC), has solved the structure of the HIV capsid alone and in complex with host factors.

21 Nov 2021

Study reveals complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and immune function

The cliché "you are what you eat" has been used for hundreds of years to illustrate the link between diet and health. Now, an international team of researchers has found the molecular proof of this concept, demonstrating how diet ultimately affects immunity through the gut microbiome.

17 Nov 2021

Scientists predict structures of eukaryotic protein complexes using AI

UT Southwestern and University of Washington researchers led an international team that used artificial intelligence (AI) and evolutionary analysis to produce 3D models of eukaryotic protein interactions.

17 Nov 2021

Structural and molecular contributions to understanding antibody recognition of pathogenic viruses

A new review discusses how molecular and structural biology have contributed to our understanding of antibody recognition of HIV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and Zika.

1 Nov 2021

Hyperimmune antibody produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat covid-19

A study conducted by a consortium of Brazilian researchers has demonstrated that a hyperimmune serum consisting of purified antibody fragments produced in horses may be an efficient approach to combat covid-19.

26 Oct 2021

Research reveals 3D structure of cell receptor with critical role in health and disease

Cells communicate with their environment via receptors on their surface. When a protein approaches these receptors, they can pass along a message to the inside of the cell, for example the instruction to grow which can lead to tumor formation.

13 Oct 2021

New study clears a pharmacologic hurdle in developing molecularly targeted therapies for AML

New research from Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center investigators shows why some drugs in clinical trials for treating a form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) often fail and demonstrates a way to restore their effectiveness.

27 Sep 2021

Scientists publish a detailed map of where human antibodies bind to SARS-CoV-2

Scientists at La Jolla Institute for Immunology (LJI) have published a detailed map of where human antibodies bind to SARS-CoV-2, a map that was generated by a global collaboration comparing nearly all leading clinical candidates.

24 Sep 2021

Pittcon 2022 keynote lecture announced

Pittcon is honored to announce Professor Albert J. R. Heck as the 2022 Wallace H. Coulter Lecturer. The 2022 Coulter Lecture is entitled New Horizons in Mass Spectrometry: Sizing and Counting Particles by Native Mass Spectrometry.

From Pittcon 22 Sep 2021

UTSA receives $3.2 million CPRIT grant for developing new approach to fight against cancer

The University of Texas at San Antonio has been awarded a five-year $3.2 million grant from the Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas.

2 Sep 2021

Structure-based model of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein reveals opportunity to halt virus transmission

Scientists have simulated the transition of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein structure from when it recognizes the host cell to when it gains entry, according to a study published today in eLife.

1 Sep 2021