Molecular & Structural Biology

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SARS-CoV-2 Omicron a product of offensive evolution with compromised antigenicity

Researchers investigate the relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant and immune system based on self/nonself short constituent sequences.

9 Jan 2022

New research may help better understand the causes of human diseases

New University of Gloucestershire research aims to increase our understanding of the causes of human diseases, potentially leading to the design of better treatments in the future.

7 Jan 2022

Research uncovers how a mouse brain understands sensory information

The brain is the most complex organ in our body – constantly absorbing and interpreting our surroundings, and guiding our movement, thoughts, behaviors and emotions.

6 Jan 2022

Cryo-ET reveals molecular mechanisms underlying gene mutations within the eye

For the first time, University of California, Irvine researchers in collaboration with the Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, have revealed, at a molecular level, key structural determinants of the highly specialized rod outer segment (ROS) membrane architecture of the eye, which is instrumental to vision.

5 Jan 2022

Scientists discover a division of labor between genetic switches

Two X chromosomes are actually one too many. Female mammalian cells hence switch off one of them – but only when the cells start to specialize into tissues.

5 Jan 2022

Folic acid-like drug reprograms DNA methylome of aggressive brain tumors

A folic acid-like drug, L-methylfolate, when administered alongside the standard therapy for patients with recurrent glioblastoma, changed aDNA process within their brain tumors, according to results from a phase 1 clinical trial.

5 Jan 2022

Experts cautiously optimistic about risks of Delta-Omicron mutations mix

Researchers evaluate the risk of the P681R, N501Y, and D614G mutations of current interest co-occurring naturally due to convergent evolution.

4 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 differs from other betacoronaviruses in a key IRE1α/XBP1 pathway

SARS-CoV-2 differs from other viruses in the beta coronavirus family in the activation of a key pathway associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress.

3 Jan 2022

Computational tools reveal how blood enzyme works at the atomic level

Membrane-associated proteins play a vital role in a variety of cellular processes, yet little is known about the membrane-association mechanism.

3 Jan 2022

T-cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant confer protection to vaccinated individuals

Researchers ascertain whether the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant evades cellular immunity.

3 Jan 2022

Research provides new insights on the architecture of yeast nuclear pore complex

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) are massive multi-protein complexes that act as passageways for the transport of molecules into and out of the nucleus.

3 Jan 2022

New study targets the methylation profile of microglia from human brain

In the central nervous system, microglial cells play critical roles in development, aging, brain homeostasis, and pathology. Recent studies have shown variation in the gene-expression profile and phenotype of microglia across brain regions and between different age and disease states.

29 Dec 2021

Study suggests spike mutation makes SARS-CoV-2 Omicron milder

The Omicron spike is relatively poorly cleaved and impaired in mediating cell-cell fusion and syncytia formation, contrary to predictions.

28 Dec 2021

LJI researchers discover how loss of TET enzymes can lead to B cell lymphoma

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have uncovered how loss of TET enzymes can lead to B cell lymphoma. Their research, published in Nature Immunology, could potentially open opportunities for designing drug treatment strategies to target malignant cells in many cancers.

24 Dec 2021

Flexibility may maximize the potency of peptides used to treat Type 2 diabetes

A little wiggle room might be just what the doctor ordered. New research suggests that the peptides - short chunks of protein - used to treat Type 2 diabetes may be more effective if they're able to flexibly move back and forth between different shapes.

23 Dec 2021

Cryo-EM of Omicron variant reveals antibody evasion by spike-ACE2 complex

Researchers compare the obtained binding affinities to wild-type and Delta spike proteins to determine the impact of Omicron mutations.

23 Dec 2021

Researchers identify a key influenza epitope that can targeted for developing universal vaccines

A team led by scientists at Weill Cornell Medicine, Scripps Research and the University of Chicago has identified an important site of vulnerability on influenza viruses—a site that future influenza vaccines and antibody therapies should be able to target to prevent or treat infections by a broad set of influenza strains.

23 Dec 2021

New study shines light on how brain cells die in prion diseases

Prion diseases, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), are fast-moving, fatal dementia syndromes associated with the formation of aggregates of the prion protein, PrP.

22 Dec 2021

Researchers identify new mechanism for DNA invasion of adenoviral COVID-19 vaccines

Adenoviruses have a linchpin protein that stabilizes their DNA until it reaches the infected cell's nucleus. The protein then detaches from the viral genome, and the virus uncoats. Only then are the genes released into the nucleus, which is necessary for the production of new viruses.

22 Dec 2021

Deletion of autism-linked gene diminishes myelin in mice

Myelin, a sheath of insulation around nerves that enables electrical impulses to efficiently travel through the central nervous system, is diminished in mice that have a gene deletion associated with autism spectrum disorder, new research finds.

21 Dec 2021