Molecular & Structural Biology

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Chemists use programmable DNA to build precise protein crystals

For decades, scientists have largely relied on painstaking trial and error to coax proteins into crystalline forms.

29 Jul 2026

St. Jude scientists uncover regulatory mechanism for crucial developmental pathway

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists uncovered a regulatory mechanism for signaling of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), a pathway essential for embryonic development.

27 Jul 2026

Primate study reveals molecular basis of red-green color vision

Human color vision depends on three types of cone cells in the retina. Although all three contain the same light-absorbing molecule, 11-cis-retinal, differences in the surrounding protein determine sensitivity to red, green, or blue light.

27 Jul 2026

Curcumin shows the best balance against cancer, study shows

Curcumin, berberine, and other plant-derived compounds have long attracted scientific interest because of their anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties.

22 Jul 2026

New BRAF protein conformation opens avenues for cancer treatment

Several types of cancer are triggered by mutations in a protein called BRAF. Researchers at the Paul Scherrer Institute PSI have resolved a previously unknown conformation adopted by this protein during cell proliferation.

21 Jul 2026

Walking protein structure explains how cells activate molecular motors

A nerve cell resembles a vast tree with branches that communicate with thousands of other cells. To function, it depends on a motor protein that walks on two legs, hauling urgent cargo from the center of the cell to the faraway tips of every branch.

15 Jul 2026

Structural study identifies unexpected cancer-regulating functions of MLL4 protein

The epigenetic modifier MLL4 has an unassuming name-the 4, for instance, indicates it's just one in a family of such modifiers.

13 Jul 2026

Researchers uncover hidden mechanism behind cancer-linked SPOP mutations

Mutations to the protein SPOP are widespread in cancer, yet many remain poorly understood. To address this gap, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists obtained structures of SPOP in both the presence and absence of these mutations.

13 Jul 2026

Novogene Europe launches Untargeted Metabolomics Service at Cambridge Omics Centre

Novogene Europe, a multiomics research services partner, today announced that it has strengthened its position as a multiomics partner with the launch of its Untargeted Metabolomics Service through its Cambridge Omics Centre.

From Novogene Europe 13 Jul 2026

New EV-SELEX strategy accelerates drug discovery for wide range of GPCRs

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the most abundantly expressed proteins in the human body, which regulate diverse physiological processes ranging from pain perception to hormone signaling.

7 Jul 2026

Countable Labs and Promega announce co-marketing agreement to facilitate end-to end biological sample preparation and rare variant detection

Countable Labs, the developer of Countable PCR, a breakthrough single-molecule PCR technology redefining how science measures biology, announced a co-marketing agreement with Promega, a leader in providing innovative solutions and technical support to the life sciences industry.

From Promega Corporation 7 Jul 2026

New structural insights overturn old assumptions about malaria entry

For nearly half a century, scientists have known that malaria parasites force their way into human red blood cells through a ring-shaped structure called the moving junction.

30 Jun 2026

Researchers develop new framework for dissecting the mechanics of artificial cells

What if the mechanical properties of a cell could be programmed like the components of a machine?

29 Jun 2026

Scientists capture atomic images to improve RNA interference drug design

RNA interference is a natural mechanism for living cells to control whether specific genes are being used or not.

29 Jun 2026

Biognosys showcases next-gen multiomics innovations at ASMS 2026

The Biognosys Group, a leader in mass spectrometry-based multiomics, announces advancements across its integrated multiomics portfolio, highlighting next-generation software, sample preparation, enrichment, and separation technologies for proteomics and metabolomics.

From Biognosys 26 Jun 2026

Cone opsin structures offer insights into vision loss

The retina of the human eye contains six to seven million cone cells. These cells contain light-sensitive proteins known as cone opsins.

25 Jun 2026

Base editing technique reveals crucial gene for early human development

Research led by the University of Cambridge Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research has shown that a genome editing technique can be used to alter a single gene in human embryonic cells, enabling the study of very early human development in unparalleled detail.

25 Jun 2026

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, agrees to acquire Bio-Techne, strengthening leadership position in fast-growing life sciences markets

Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, a leading science and technology company, and Bio-Techne Corporation, a Minneapolis-based global provider of life science tools, analytical technologies, and consumables, today entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, will, subject to customary closing conditions, acquire Bio-Techne for US$73 per share in cash, representing a total enterprise value of approximately US$11.3 billion (EUR 9.9 billion), a 36% premium to Bio-Techne's one-month volume weighted average trading price.

From Bio-Techne 25 Jun 2026

NVIDIA announces BioNeMo Agent Toolkit — Tools for agents to accelerate scientific discovery

NVIDIA today announced NVIDIA BioNeMo Agent Toolkit, which provides domain-specific tools and skills for the agentic life sciences era.

From Benchling 25 Jun 2026

Hidden protein linked to severe COVID-19 and lung disease risk

A genetic difference carried by nearly one in three people may increase the risk of severe COVID-19 and lung fibrosis by disrupting the function of a previously unknown protein, according to a new study.

24 Jun 2026