Molecular & Structural Biology

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Research uncovers disease-aggravating mutation in mouse model of GRACILE syndrome

The new mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variant drastically speeds up the disease progression in a mouse model of GRACILE syndrome. This discovery provides a new tool for studies of mitochondrial diseases.

29 Jan 2020

Researchers develop new strategy to study childhood brain tumors

Researchers are at work to find effective treatments to help young patients with brain tumors. Hundreds of brain organoids have been developed in the laboratories of the University of Trento to understand the genetic mechanisms responsible for these hard to treat diseases.

29 Jan 2020

Study finds unexpected response to estrogen at the single cell level

A team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine found that not only do individual mammalian cells in a population fail to respond synchronously to estrogen stimulation, neither do individual gene copies, known as alleles.

28 Jan 2020

New gene correction therapy for hereditary muscular disease among children

Duchenne type muscular dystrophy is the most common hereditary muscular disease among children, leaving them wheelchair-bound before the age of twelve and reducing life expectancy.

27 Jan 2020

Determining Microsatellite Instability Status Using Multiplex PCR-Based Methods

Determining microsatellite instability status using multiplex PCR-based methods used to screen for Lynch Syndrome, a dominant hereditary cancer propensity.

From Promega Corporation 24 Jan 2020

A small region of the brain represents all our emotions

The entire set of our emotions is topographically represented in a small region of the brain, a 3 centimeters area of the cortex, report scientists in a study conducted at the IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca, Italy.

24 Jan 2020

Jumping genes play surprising role in stabilizing DNA folding patterns

"Jumping genes" -- bits of DNA that can move from one spot in the genome to another -- are well-known for increasing genetic diversity over the long course of evolution.

24 Jan 2020

T. gondii parasite employs a sophisticated manipulation to suppress host's immune response

Toxoplasma gondii is best known as the parasite that may lurk in a cat's litter box. Nearly a third of the world's population is believed to live with a chronic Toxoplasma infection.

24 Jan 2020

A single number aids biomedical data scientists in finding deadly cancer cells

Biomedical data scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine have shown that the number of genes a cell uses to make RNA is a reliable indicator of how developed the cell is, a finding that could make it easier to target cancer-causing genes.

24 Jan 2020

Scientists visualize diabetes-related proteins at high resolution

Scientists have examined a key receptor for the first time at high resolution - broadening understanding of how it might function, and opening the door to future improvements in treating conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

24 Jan 2020

Scientists discover why the cells need acidic lysosomes

Just like the body contains lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, so does each of the body's cells contain tiny specialized organs. Perhaps most peculiar among them are lysosomes--bubble-like sacks that act as part recycling bin, part stomach.

23 Jan 2020

Study reveals presence of functional extracellular mitochondria in the bloodstream

Mitochondria are organelles that are found in the eukaryotic cells. A place of cellular respiration, they are the cells' "batteries" and play a major role in energy metabolism and intercellular communication.

23 Jan 2020

Researchers grow venom-producing snake organoids in the lab

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers at the Hubrecht Institute, in an international collaboration, have developed a method to grow snake venom gland cells as organoids.

23 Jan 2020

Study uncovers how common stomach bacterium maintains its corkscrew-like shape

A new study shows how a common stomach bacterium is able to keep its corkscrew-like shape as it grows. Disrupting the shape could point the way for future, more-specialized antibiotics that prevent the bacterium from being harmful.

23 Jan 2020

New study gives hope for potentially developing a cure for HIV

HIV latency is considered one of the biggest challenges to developing a cure for the virus.

23 Jan 2020

New discovery changes the understanding of gene expression

A group of University of Chicago scientists has uncovered a previously unknown way that our genes are made into reality.

22 Jan 2020

Molecular biologists identify gene that puts brakes on tissue growth

The planarian flatworm is a simple animal with a mighty and highly unusual ability: it can regenerate itself from nearly every imaginable injury, including decapitation. These tiny worms can regrow any missing cell or tissue -- muscle, neurons, epidermis, eyes, even a new brain.

22 Jan 2020