Molecular & Structural Biology

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Scientists fix flawed plant genes, make plants grow 40% larger

Researchers in the US have genetically engineered a way of shortcutting photosynthesis to increase the size of tobacco plants by up to 40%.

4 Jan 2019

Inhalable mRNA offers hope for patients with lung disease

Scientists have reported the success of an inhalable mRNA therapy that can induce the production of a target protein in the lungs of mice.

4 Jan 2019

New method for automation of DNA origami

Nature has made extravagant use of a simple molecule--DNA, the floorplan of all earthly life.

4 Jan 2019

Researchers shed new light on the body's largest cell receptor

A giant toadstool that swallow up vitamins and nutrients. This is how the receptor, which e.g. absorbs B12 vitamin, looks. For the first time, researchers have an insight into a biology which has survived millions of years.

3 Jan 2019

Senescent cells in the brain shown to cause obesity-related anxiety

Researchers have shown that obesity increases the level of semi-dormant senescent cells in the brain, which give rise to anxiety-like behaviors.

3 Jan 2019

Researchers reveal cause of possible genetic problems in mitochondria

A group of researchers from the Andalusian Centre for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine has revealed the importance of eliminating any excess of defective products that might have accumulated in the mitochondria, as its presence generates mitochondrial instability and information loss on the mitochondrial genome.

3 Jan 2019

Scientists cast new light on function of long-mysterious PCSK9 mutation

High levels of low-density lipoproteins, parcels of lipids and protein that carry cholesterol, are a leading risk factor for heart disease. Many cholesterol medications lower LDL, some of them by targeting the protein PCSK9. In the January issue of the Journal of Lipid Research, scientists at the University of California, San Francisco, report on an investigation into why experiments on PCSK9 give different results in a test tube and in liver cells.

2 Jan 2019

Using Assay Kits and Dyes to Advance Cell Biology Research

In this interview, Richard Delle Bovi highlights live cell ability of the CELLESTIAL® analysis kit from Enzo Life Sciences and its applications in cell biology.

From Enzo Life Sciences, Inc. 2 Jan 2019

Salk scientists show how brain cells filter information in groups

When we perceive the world around us, certain objects appear to be more noticeable than others, depending on what we do. For example, when we view a forest-covered mountain from a distance, the forest looks like a large green carpet. But as we get closer, we start noticing the individual trees, and the forest fades to the background.

2 Jan 2019

New insights on cellular death mechanisms caused by the loss of neuronal cells and astrocytes

The blood circulation to neurons is affected due to Ischemic, hemorrhagic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage stimulation the activation of pathophysiological responses i.e. mitochondrial death pathways, protein misfolding, apoptosis, pyroptosis, necrosis, autophagy, mitophagy, ferritinophagy, excitotoxicity, free radicals release, and inflammation.

31 Dec 2018

Sound can affect perception of touch in mice

Our eyes, ears and skin are responsible for different senses. Moreover, our brain assigns these senses to different regions: the visual cortex, auditory cortex and somatosensory cortex. However, it is clear that there are anatomical connections between these different cortices such that brain activation to one sense can influence brain activation to another

30 Dec 2018

Research reviews role of protein tyrosine phosphatase in molecular biology

As the proteomics technology develops and human genomic analysis becomes easier to execute, molecules involved in the regulation of biochemical signaling pathways have become interesting subjects for researchers.

28 Dec 2018

How physical activity decreases belly fat in humans

Some of you may have made a New Year's resolution to hit the gym to tackle that annoying belly fat. But have you ever wondered how physical activity produces this desired effect? A signaling molecule called interleukin-6 plays a critical role in this process, researchers report December 27 in the journal Cell Metabolism.

28 Dec 2018

Study explains effects of aging on endothelial health and vascular regenerative capacity

The endothelium plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation, from blood flow to platelet aggregation, immune cell infiltration and demargination.

28 Dec 2018

Ancient genomes reveal changes in genetic status of eastern gorillas

The critically endangered Grauer's gorilla has recently lost genetic diversity and has experienced an increase in harmful mutations. These conclusions were reached by an international team of researchers who sequenced eleven genomes from eastern gorilla specimens collected up to 100 years ago, and compared these with genomes from present-day individuals.

28 Dec 2018

Kanazawa University researchers unravel link between inflammation and cancer

Severe inflammation in tissues is often associated with the occurrence of cancer. The mechanism linking both these conditions is not clearly understood. Furthermore, inflamed and cancerous tissues contain a heterogenous mix of damaged and protective cells.

27 Dec 2018

White colonies on kimchi surface is not formed by molds but by yeasts, finds study

WiKim reported that the white colonies on the surface of kimchi is not formed by molds but by "yeasts" and that genomic data was acquired regarding the hygienic safety of the yeast strains.

27 Dec 2018

Surfer's ear reveals important clues to lives of ancient pearl divers in Panama

While examining a skull from an ancient burial ground in a pre-Columbian village in Panama, Nicole Smith-Guzmán, bioarchaeologist at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI), was surprised to discover an example of surfers' ear: a small, bony bump in the ear canal common among surfers, kayakers and free divers in cold climates.

24 Dec 2018

Cell-free DNA can be used to predict biological age, according to a new study

Scientists have found that cell-free DNA (cfDNA) within in the blood can reflect differences in the age and health of individuals.

21 Dec 2018

Simple protocol rescues stressed liver cells

Isolated human hepatocytes are essential tools in preclinical and clinical liver research, but cell quality is highly variable. Now, researchers from Uppsala University have devised a simple protocol that improves hepatocyte quality and enables cells from a wider quality spectrum to be used in standard and advanced cell culture. The findings are published in Archives of Toxicology.

21 Dec 2018