Molecular & Structural Biology

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Unprecedented brain cell mapping sheds light on Alzheimer's

Less than a decade ago, when Dr. Hansruedi Mathys launched an ambitious project to create an annotated library of all the gene readouts stored within 100 individual brain cells, the task felt daunting.

25 Jul 2024

Comprehensive analysis of Alzheimer’s brain tissue identifies novel biomarkers

From studying the human genome, to analyzing the way proteins are encoded, or monitoring RNA expression, researchers are rapidly gaining a far richer understanding of the complex genetic and cellular mechanisms that underpin dementia. But there's a catch: While new technologies are revealing myriad avenues for Alzheimer's research, it's impossible to know in advance which research pathways will lead to effective treatments.

25 Jul 2024

Discovery of key proteins that regulate mitophagy could unlock new Parkinson's disease treatments Researchers At WEHI ...

Researchers at WEHI in collaboration with a team at the University of Vienna have discovered two proteins that act as regulators for mitophagy.

23 Jul 2024

New strategy for mRNA nanocarriers using triphenyl phosphonium

Among the vastly different ways of tackling a disease, controlling the genetic expression of cells is undoubtedly one of the most powerful. Over the past few decades, scientists have come up with dozens of innovative strategies that involve using messenger RNA (mRNA) to 'force' cells to build specific proteins. These mRNA-based therapies have recently gained prominence as vaccines against infectious diseases like COVID-19. Additionally, they hold significant potential for treating cancer and genetic disorders.

23 Jul 2024

Multi-signal processing guide RNAs: A new frontier in gene regulation

Guides typically assist tourists with directions, but the experience could be greatly enhanced if they offered personalized services tailored to individual interests.

22 Jul 2024

Novel method enables RNA detection with Cas12 nucleases

CRISPR-Cas systems, defense systems in bacteria, have become a plentiful source of technologies for molecular diagnostics.

17 Jul 2024

One-time prime editing targets common genetic cause of cystic fibrosis

Researchers optimized prime editing for the efficient correction of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator F508del mutation in human airway epithelial cells, achieving high correction efficiencies and functional restoration with minimal off-target effects.

15 Jul 2024

Predicting behavior from image features: Insights from cortical tuning

Researchers investigate whether the human occipital-temporal cortex (OTC) co-represents the semantic and affective content of visual stimuli to guide behavior.

15 Jul 2024

TurCaMPb: A novel tool for monitoring mitochondrial calcium dynamics

Mitochondria are crucial for maintaining calcium balance in cells, but their calcium dynamics are challenging to study due to pH changes in the mitochondrial matrix, and the lack of cyan-colored GECIs hinders the monitoring of calcium signals across different organelles and cell types.

14 Jul 2024

New 3D model sheds light on amyloid-beta's impact

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation (TIBI) have unveiled a pioneering study shedding light on the intricate mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease (AD). The study, titled "Effects of amyloid-β-mimicking peptide hydrogel matrix on neuronal progenitor cell phenotype," represents a significant leap forward in understanding the interplay between amyloid-like structures and neuronal cells.

13 Jul 2024

Scientists map molecules within human brain for first time

Scientists investigating Alzheimer's disease have determined the structure of molecules within a human brain for the very first time.

12 Jul 2024

How lipoproteins shape your metabolic health

Study provides a comprehensive review of the lipoprotein pathway and its impact on healthy metabolism, highlighting the roles of HDL, LDL, and other lipoproteins in cardiovascular health and disease.

11 Jul 2024

Groundbreaking protein atlas reveals cellular insights for disease research

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed an atlas of proteins describing how they behave inside human cells.

10 Jul 2024

Cryo-EM reveals structural dynamics of RNAP-DNA interactions during transcription initiation

Every living cell transcribes DNA into RNA. This process begins when an enzyme called RNA polymerase (RNAP) clamps onto DNA. Within a few hundred milliseconds, the DNA double helix unwinds to form a node known as the transcription bubble, so that one exposed DNA strand can be copied into a complementary RNA strand.

10 Jul 2024

New technology reveals the critical role of sleep in infant brain development

Researchers have developed advanced technology to measure neonatal sleep patterns, revealing how sleep significantly impacts brain development before and after birth.

8 Jul 2024

Phages use selfish DNA to outmaneuver competitors

Curious bits of DNA tucked inside genomes across all kingdoms of life historically have been disregarded since they don't seem to have a role to play in the competition for survival.

5 Jul 2024

Research reveals how motorized processes shape chromosome structure development

Researchers at Rice University are making strides in understanding how chromosome structures change throughout the cell's life cycle.

3 Jul 2024

Key differences in RNA editing found between postmortem and living brain

Researchers examined the adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) nucleoside editing of postmortem and live prefrontal cortical tissues.

3 Jul 2024

Ribosomes and ZAK protein spur the cell's initial response to UV radiation damage

In a recent study, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine suggest the cell's messenger RNA (mRNA) -; the major translator and regulator of genetic material -; along with a critical protein called ZAK, spur the cell's initial response to UV radiation damage and play a critical role in whether the cell lives or dies.

2 Jul 2024

Decoding the viscoelastic properties of biomolecular condensates

Biomolecular condensates are membraneless hubs of condensed proteins and nucleic acids within cells, which researchers are realizing are tied to an increasing number of cellular processes and diseases.

2 Jul 2024