Molecular & Structural Biology

RSS

Innovative protocol that processes saliva samples before testing may improve COVID-19 detection

The collection of nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) samples for COVID-19 diagnostic testing poses challenges including exposure risk to healthcare workers and supply chain constraints. Saliva samples are easier to collect but can be mixed with mucus or blood, and some studies have found they produce less accurate results.

10 Jun 2021

Cysteine persulfide found to be a new culprit in antibacterial resistance

A joint research project based in Kumamoto University, Japan has developed a new, highly sensitive analytical method that can detect degraded β-lactam antibacterial agents used in the treatment of bacterial infections.

9 Jun 2021

Research clarifies neuron-specific DNA methylation changes and characteristics in bipolar disorder

A research collaboration based in Kumamoto University, Japan has revealed the DNA methylation status of gene transcriptional regulatory regions in the frontal lobes of patients with bipolar disorder (BD).

9 Jun 2021

New atomic-level model helps explain how SARS-CoV-2 causes extensive lung damage

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory have published the first detailed atomic-level model of the SARS-CoV-2 "envelope" protein bound to a human protein essential for maintaining the lining of the lungs.

8 Jun 2021

Study uncovers novel molecular mechanism of immune cell migration

In a new study, researchers from Osaka University discovered a novel molecular mechanism by which immune cells migrate to fight off infections. These findings may help in understanding the development of certain immune deficiency disorders and establish novel therapies against them.

7 Jun 2021

Researchers create cellular and spatial “atlas” of the choroid plexus during different life stages

Once viewed merely as a producer of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) bathing the brain and spinal cord, the choroid plexus is now known to be a key player in brain development and immunity.

7 Jun 2021

Study finds molecular pathway that can explain how chronic kidney disease induces heart failure

According to the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017, close to nine percent of the global population lives with some form of chronic kidney disease, or CKD. Not only does the condition affect renal function, CKD has long been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

5 Jun 2021

Increasing a protein concentrated in brown fat may lower diabetes risk

Increasing a protein concentrated in brown fat appears to lower blood sugar, promote insulin sensitivity, and protect against fatty liver disease by remodeling white fat to a healthier state, a new study led by UT Southwestern scientists suggests.

5 Jun 2021

Researchers gain new insights into the structure of cancer-promoting Ras protein

Almost all attempts to use the Ras protein as a point of attack for medications have so far failed. New knowledge concerning its structure is raising hopes of options in the development of medications.

2 Jun 2021

Study reveals why mothers take extra risks to protect their children

It might seem like a given that mothers take extra risks to protect their children, but have you ever wondered why? A new study led by Kumi Kuroda at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) in Japan shows that in mice, this and other nurturing behaviors are driven in part by neurons in a small part of the forebrain that contain a protein called the calcitonin receptor.

1 Jun 2021

Scientists use an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses

In a recent study, Australian scientists used an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses with an unprecedented level of detail, identifying small molecules known as 'pocket factors' as new therapeutic targets.

1 Jun 2021

Duetting songbirds 'silence' their partner’s brain to coordinate the duets

Art Garfunkel once described his legendary musical chemistry with Paul Simon, "We meet somewhere in the air through the vocal cords ... ."

31 May 2021

Study reveals three brain regions that link the brain's perception and memory systems

As we move through the world, what we see is seamlessly integrated with our memory of the broader spatial environment. How does the brain accomplish this feat?

13 May 2021

Study could help understand how Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) affects between one and two of every 10,000 new-born babies. This genetic disease leads to the formation of benign tumors which can massively impair the proper functioning of vital organs such as the kidneys, the liver and the brain.

12 May 2021

Measuring metabolic 'fluxes' could help scientists advance new tuberculosis drugs

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is incredible in that it can survive for decades within its human host. It does this by varying its diet to successfully steal nutrients from the human host including immune cells; it is known to acquire and absorb multiple carbon sources from the body during infection.

12 May 2021

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

Since the discovery of Alzheimer's disease over a century ago, two hallmarks of the devastating illness have taken center stage.

12 May 2021

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Chemically synthesized short DNA sequences are extremely important ingredients with countless uses in research laboratories, hospitals, and in industry, like in the method for identifying COVID-19.

12 May 2021

Researchers develop a hairpin-shaped bicyclic peptide to fight cancer

The inhibition of pathological protein-protein interactions is a promising approach for treating a large number of diseases, including many forms of cancer.

12 May 2021

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

The study conducted by the University of Turku and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare together with an international research team is so far the largest population-level study in the world examining the connection between human gut microbiota and health and mortality in the following decades.

12 May 2021

Oleoyl-LPE promotes neurite outgrowth and protects against neuronal cell death

Lysophospholipids are phospholipids that have just one fatty acid chain, and in recent years, the role of lysophospholipids in physiology and pathophysiology has attracted attention.

12 May 2021

Molecular & Structural Biology

Innovative protocol that processes saliva samples before testing may improve COVID-19 detection

Cysteine persulfide found to be a new culprit in antibacterial resistance

Research clarifies neuron-specific DNA methylation changes and characteristics in bipolar disorder

New atomic-level model helps explain how SARS-CoV-2 causes extensive lung damage

Study uncovers novel molecular mechanism of immune cell migration

Researchers create cellular and spatial “atlas” of the choroid plexus during different life stages

Study finds molecular pathway that can explain how chronic kidney disease induces heart failure

Increasing a protein concentrated in brown fat may lower diabetes risk

Researchers gain new insights into the structure of cancer-promoting Ras protein

Study reveals why mothers take extra risks to protect their children

Scientists use an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses

Duetting songbirds 'silence' their partner’s brain to coordinate the duets

Study reveals three brain regions that link the brain's perception and memory systems

Study could help understand how Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises

Measuring metabolic 'fluxes' could help scientists advance new tuberculosis drugs

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Researchers develop a hairpin-shaped bicyclic peptide to fight cancer

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

Oleoyl-LPE promotes neurite outgrowth and protects against neuronal cell death

Synthetic Biology and the Pursuit of Living Diagnostics

Modular, Scalable, Intelligent: How n6 Is Rethinking NGS Library Prep

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

Latest Life Science News