Molecular & Structural Biology

RSS

New molecule offers a more targeted and potent immunotherapy

A newly developed molecule brings together two powerful immunotherapy strategies in one treatment. Researchers at the University of Basel and University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, have demonstrated that this fusion protein can both block the "do not attack" signal used by cancer cells and selectively activate tumor-fighting immune cells. This dual action could pave the way for more effective cancer therapies with fewer side effects.

18 Sep 2025

Dipeptides reveal clues to the origin of life’s instructions

Genes are the building blocks of life, and the genetic code provides the instructions for the complex processes that make organisms function.

17 Sep 2025

New findings show lymph nodes educate T cells to combat disease

A team of researchers, led by the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute), explored the cellular and molecular interactions revealing how lymph nodes play a crucial role in the fight against chronic infection and cancer.

17 Sep 2025

Breakthrough reveals how viruses efficiently pack genetic material

Researchers at San Diego State University and Michigan State University are shedding new light on how viruses meticulously pack their genetic material - a breakthrough that could help researchers engineer antivirals and gene therapies.

2 Sep 2025

BindCraft reimagines protein binder discovery through structural prediction

Physical interactions between proteins influence anything from cell signaling and growth to immune responses, so the ability to control these interactions is of great interest to biologists.

29 Aug 2025

Exploring the untapped potential of DNA glycosylation

Recent advancements in glycobiology have challenged the traditional understanding of molecular interactions, and a new study published in Engineering titled "Can DNA be glycosylated?" by Wei Wang further explores this emerging field.

29 Aug 2025

Eating more animal protein may slightly lower cancer mortality

Investigating protein intake, the study shows no mortality risk from animal or plant sources, with animal protein linked to modest cancer protection.

27 Aug 2025

New microfluidics-based workflow enables high-resolution lipid imaging in C. elegans

Understanding how fat molecules are distributed and function in living organisms is key to uncovering mechanisms of aging, disease, and metabolism.

22 Aug 2025

AI and advanced microscopy reveal tangled DNA structures with nanometer precision

At school, it's often presented as a tidy double helix but scientists are revealing the varied and intricate shapes of DNA molecules.

22 Aug 2025

University of Vienna team develops method to measure molecular charges

An international research team led by the University of Vienna has succeeded in developing a new method to directly measure partial charges in molecules. The results, now published in Nature, provide new insights into molecular interactions and offer potential applications in drug development and materials science.

22 Aug 2025

Single-cell proteomic analysis uncovers hidden layers of blood cell formation

In the past decade there has been significant interest in studying the expression of our genetic code down to the level of single cells, to identify the functions and activities of any cell through the course of health or disease.

21 Aug 2025

RNA quality control protein PELOTA found to slow aging and extend lifespan

As aging progresses, the quality of DNA and proteins inside cells declines, known to be the cause of various degenerative diseases.

18 Aug 2025

New computational tool enhances CAR T cell therapy for hard-to-treat cancers

A computational approach by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists promises to make designing T cell-based immunotherapies that target two cancer-related antigens at the same time far easier and faster.

13 Aug 2025

Study: Lignin shows strong antiviral and antibacterial properties

Research from the Nanoscience Center of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, has revealed that lignin, a polyphenol, important for plant structure, has antimicrobial activity against viruses and bacteria.

12 Aug 2025

All-atom models reveal novel protein misfolding mechanism

New computer simulations that model every atom of a protein as it folds into its final three-dimensional form support the existence of a recently identified type of protein misfolding.

8 Aug 2025

Revolutionizing therapeutic protein design with synthetic biology

In medicine and biotechnology, the ability to evolve proteins with new or improved functions is crucial, but current methods are often slow and laborious.

8 Aug 2025

RNA sequencing reveals molecular drivers for better regenerative therapies

Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, have documented their use of a new RNA sequencing technology to uncover molecular drivers of cellular differentiation that could lead to better regenerative therapies.

8 Aug 2025