Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers solve crystal structure for enzyme that plays key role in DNA methylation

A research team led by a biochemist at the University of California, Riverside has solved the crystal structure for an enzyme that plays a key role in DNA methylation, the process by which methyl groups are added to the DNA molecule.

7 Feb 2018

Study sheds light on Salmonella death at low temperatures

The most economical way to kill bacteria that cause common food-borne illnesses -- mostly caused by Salmonella enterica -- is heat, but, the mechanisms that kill Salmonella at lower temperatures were not fully understood until now, according to a team of researchers.

7 Feb 2018

Microscope technology reveals full-length serotonin receptor structure for first time

A team of researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine have used Nobel prize-winning microscope technology to see full-length serotonin receptors for the first time.

6 Feb 2018

MILabs completes installation of latest VECTor5CT system at University of Copenhagen

MILabs announced today that it has successfully completed the installation of its top-of-the-line multimodality PET-SPECT-UHR CT in the laboratory of Prof. Maiken Nedergaard, M.D, D.M.Sci. – Center for Translational Neuroscience, Division of Glial Disease and Therapeutics.

6 Feb 2018

Ribosomes found to be cause of somatic cell pluripotency

In 2012, a Japanese research group discovered that human skin cells acquire pluripotency when introduced to lactic acid bacteria. Now, the same group of researchers have found that the cause of somatic cell conversion into pluripotent stem cells is the ribosome, a protein synthesizing cellular organelle.

5 Feb 2018

Researchers discover specific taste neurons necessary for protein craving in fruit flies

A team of neuroscientists from the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, in Lisbon, Portugal, has discovered that were it not for specific taste neurons located in the fruit fly's proboscis (the equivalent of our tongue), the fly would not develop a craving for protein even when in excruciating need of it.

5 Feb 2018

Researchers shine light on ‘molecular butcher’ using neutron beams

Tucked away inside cell membranes, a molecular butcher does the bidding of healthy cells but also of disease agents. It has been operating out of clear view, but researchers just shined a mighty spotlight on it.

2 Feb 2018

Researchers discover gene network that regulates the motor neuron development in growing embryo

UCLA researchers have discovered the inner workings of a gene network that regulates the development of spinal motor neurons in the growing chicken and mouse embryo.

2 Feb 2018

Study reveals the mechanism of common DNA mutations

Researchers at The Ohio University have uncovered the mechanism by which thymine and guanine, the most commonly mutated bases in DNA, become damaged.

2 Feb 2018

New ChIPseq kit is optimized for fresh and frozen tissue samples

The new, high-performance Chromatrap ChIP-Seq kit (v.1.5) is optimized to work from fresh and frozen extracted tissue, as well as cell lines.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 2 Feb 2018

Study unravels developmental splicing program that promotes neuronal maturation

Neurons, or nerve cells, in the brain communicate with each other by transmitting electric signals, or firing action potentials, through long processes named axons (which send out signals) and dendrites (which receive signals).

1 Feb 2018

Free magnesium ions regulate chromosome shape, new tool shows

Japanese researchers report a new ion detector, MARIO. Using it, they show that changes in the intracellular concentration of free magnesium ions (Mg2+) is critical for the chromosome folding that must occur for cells to divide.

1 Feb 2018

New molecular research shows how antidepressants work

New molecular research shows how chemically diverse drugs used to treat depression and anxiety disorders interact with the protein that transports serotonin in the brain.

29 Jan 2018

Scientists discover direct physical contact between two key cellular structures

Northwestern Medicine scientists have discovered that two key cellular structures, called mitochondria and lysosomes, come into direct contact with each other in the cell to regulate their respective functions.

27 Jan 2018

Small tweak to mammal's DNA can cause significant physical changes, study finds

The difference between webbed toes and distinct digits may be the result of not just genetic information, but of how the genes regulate that information. Researchers at the National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems in Japan found that a small, non-specific tweak to a mammal's DNA can potentially cause specific and significant physical changes.

27 Jan 2018