Molecular & Structural Biology

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Study sheds new light on early development of embryos

By applying gene analysis to individual cells from early mouse embryos, researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have discovered previously unknown cellular stages of fetal development from fertilized egg to living being. The study is published in the scientific journal Cell Reports.

5 Mar 2019

Evolutionary expansion of the human brain is under strong genetic control

An analysis of brain scans from more than 600 children and adolescents reveals correlations between size of brain regions unique to humans and intelligence test scores.

From Society for Neuroscience 5 Mar 2019

Study finds how miR-132 acts as ‘handbrake’ on our immune system

Researchers have discovered how a tiny molecule known as miR-132 acts as a "handbrake" on our immune system - helping us fight infection.

5 Mar 2019

Detailed atlas of the marmoset brain could provide new insights into human diseases

The ability to comprehensively map the architecture of connections between neurons in primate brains has long proven elusive for scientists.

4 Mar 2019

Research shows presence of yeasts and fungi in breast milk of healthy mothers

Investigators have now shown that the breast milk microbiome contains fungi. Multiple previous studies had found bacteria in breast milk. Certain fungi and bacteria have been shown to be important probiotics for infant health.

4 Mar 2019

Researchers study the adaptive processes of fruit flies in a controlled laboratory setting

Not just since climate change has it been of enormous interest to understand how populations adapt to new environmental conditions.

4 Mar 2019

Newly developed bioluminescence sensors pave way for drug discovery

Canadian researchers, working in partnership with Brazilian colleagues, have developed 13 bioluminescence sensors for use in testing the effectiveness of new medical drugs in the laboratory.

2 Mar 2019

Novel cell rejuvenation approach may open new avenues for regenerative medicine

Scientists from the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine of the University of Luxembourg and from the German Cancer Research Center have been able to rejuvenate stem cells in the brain of aging mice.

1 Mar 2019

Scientists use pulsed infrared light lasers to focus on the action of drugs

Having absolute control of the activity of a molecule in an organism. Deciding when, where and how a drug is activated. These are some of the goals expected to be reached with the so-called photoswitchable molecules, compounds that, in the presence of certain light waves, change their properties.

1 Mar 2019

Scientists find clue to rapid human conversations in singing mice

Studying the songs of mice from the cloud forests of Costa Rica, researchers from New York University School of Medicine and The University of Texas at Austin have identified a brain circuit that might enable the high-speed back and forth of human conversation.

1 Mar 2019

Breakthrough software tool tracks activity of neurons in real time

Tracking the firings of individual neurons is like trying to discern who is saying what in a football stadium full of screaming fans. Until recently, neuroscientists have had to tediously track each neuron by hand.

28 Feb 2019

Custom-made proteins could result in antibodies that fight HIV

Researchers have developed a new method for the creation of custom-made proteins that can bypass the protective coating of the HIV virus.

28 Feb 2019

Second-ever case of semi-identical (sesquizygotic) twins

Doctors report on a woman who gave birth to semi-identical twins in 2014. This is the second time this is known to have occurred after the first case in 2007.

28 Feb 2019

New clues to triggers of gut inflammation uncovered

New detail about what happens when a key cellular process is impaired in cells that are vital for a healthy gut have been uncovered by a wide-ranging analysis.

28 Feb 2019

Structure of human type 2 cannabinoid receptor revealed

A Chinese research team joined forces with Russian and U.S. biologists to obtain the crystal structure of the human type 2 cannabinoid receptor.

28 Feb 2019

Scientists identify how cells make choice between various mechanisms to repair DNA

When DNA in the cell nucleus gets damaged, our cells can resort to a variety of repair mechanisms. A recent study published in 'Nature Cell Biology', to which scientists from Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen made major contributions, elucidates the molecular basis by which a cell makes the choice between these repair mechanisms.

28 Feb 2019

Study finds specific mechanism that protects cells from natural DNA errors

Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have identified a specific mechanism that protects our cells from natural DNA errors - an 'enemy within' - which could permanently damage our genetic code and lead to diseases such as cancer.

27 Feb 2019

Biologists uncover mechanism that determines faithful inheritance of short chromosomes

A team of biologists has uncovered a mechanism that determines faithful inheritance of short chromosomes during the reproductive process.

27 Feb 2019

Researchers discover new mechanism of bone growth

In a paper published in the journal Nature, an international research team led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that bone growth in mice takes place in accordance with the same principles as when new cells are constantly produced in blood, skin and other tissue.

27 Feb 2019

Review shows reciprocal relationship between obesity and prefrontal cortex activity

In a review published February 26 in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, researchers explore the age-old chicken-or-the-egg conundrum but this time looking at whether obesity reduces self-control or if reduced self-control leads to obesity.

27 Feb 2019