Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers produce a detailed molecular atlas of lung development

Researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania have produced a detailed molecular atlas of lung development, which is expected to be a fundamental reference in future studies of mammalian biology and of new treatments for diseases, such as COVID-19, that affect the lungs.

24 Mar 2021

Researchers discover a gene mutation linked to schizophrenia

Researchers at The Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, in collaboration with Columbia University, have identified a gene mutation that could result in schizophrenia, a chronic brain disorder that affects nearly one percent of the world’s population. T

24 Mar 2021

Computational analysis reveals why new SARS-CoV-2 variants bind better to human cells

All viruses mutate as they make copies of themselves to spread and thrive. SARS-CoV-2, the virus the causes COVID-19, is proving to be no different. There are currently more than 4,000 variants of COVID-19, which has already killed more than 2.7 million people worldwide during the pandemic.

23 Mar 2021

Researchers develop new method for measuring immunity to coronavirus

Igor Stagljar made his career building molecular tools to combat cancer. But when the pandemic hit last March, he aimed his expertise at a new adversary, SARS-CoV-2.

22 Mar 2021

First model of early human embryo generated from skin cells

In a discovery that will revolutionise research into the causes of early miscarriage, infertility and the study of early human development - an international team of scientists led by Monash University in Melbourne, Australia has generated a model of a human embryo from skin cells.

22 Mar 2021

Study maps structure and mechanism of a membrane enzyme that plays role in inflammation, cancer

Most drugs operate via the membranes that surround the body's cells. A study by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden has now mapped the structure and mechanism of MGST2, a membrane enzyme that, amongst other things, plays a part in chronic inflammation and cancer.

20 Mar 2021

Researchers produce extremely conductive hydrogel for medical applications

Due to their tissue-like mechanical properties, hydrogels are being increasingly used for biomedical applications; a well-known example are soft contact lenses.

20 Mar 2021

Study reveals biomarkers for the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma

Low plasma levels of protein TGFB1 and polymorphisms in gene TGFB1 act as biomarkers for the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma, according to a study led by the University Complutense of Madrid.

18 Mar 2021

Weight loss induced by diet and bariatric surgery has different impact on mitochondria in fat tissue

Dieting impairs the energy-producing machinery of fat tissue, potentially resulting in weight regain. In contrast, as indicated by a recently completed European study coordinated by the University of Helsinki, weight loss surgery gives a boost to mitochondria, improving the gene expression of these cellular engines.

18 Mar 2021

New technique uses cell's own recycling machinery to destroy disease-causing proteins

Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a way to use a cell's own recycling machinery to destroy disease-causing proteins, a technology that could produce entirely new kinds of drugs.

18 Mar 2021

Molecule produced by the immune system can reduce potency of antibiotics

Research from the University of Kent's School of Biosciences has revealed that a molecule produced by the human immune system can severely diminish the potency of certain antibiotics.

18 Mar 2021

UTSW researchers identify the structure of a key cell-surface protein

UT Southwestern researchers have identified the structure of a key member of a family of proteins called nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in three different shapes.

17 Mar 2021

New method for growing embryos outside the womb

To observe how a tiny ball of identical cells on its way to becoming a mammalian embryo first attaches to an awaiting uterine wall and then develops into nervous system, heart, stomach and limbs: This has been a highly-sought grail in the field of embryonic development for nearly 100 years.

17 Mar 2021

Researchers explore potential role of TARM1 protein in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

TARM1 is a receptor protein whose role in the functioning of the immune system is unknown. In a new study, scientists from Japan have explored the potential role of TARM1 in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing mouse models.

17 Mar 2021

Insights into elusive protein complex can help find novel treatments for chromosomal disorders

The cells in our body are constantly fighting off the threat of cancer by repairing damaged DNA. In a new study, scientists from Tokyo University of Science investigate the structure of an elusive protein complex that plays a key role in the activation of the "Fanconi anemia pathway" involved in DNA repair, and report on the factors governing its stability.

17 Mar 2021

Study investigates how neurons construct synapses of different strengths

Job descriptions for the thousands of types of neurons in the brain typically include a common function: release chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate across circuit connections called synapses.

17 Mar 2021

Researchers unravel how a novel microbial small molecule is connected to dental caries development

An inter-disciplinary team of researchers led by Prof. Qian Peiyuan, Chair Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology's Department of Ocean Science and Division of Life Science has unraveled how a novel microbial small molecule released by Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) - a bacterium commonly found in the human oral cavity - is connected to dental caries development using a synthetic biology approach, offering new insights to the health impact of the human oral microbiota and facilitating future research on the prevention of tooth decay.

16 Mar 2021

Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prizes for 2021 go to four female and six male researchers

Four female and six male researchers are to receive the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prize this year, the top award for early career investigators in Germany.

16 Mar 2021

Ketogenesis has a protective effect on mitochondria, finds study

Ketone bodies are generally an alternative energy source during starvation, but in newborns, ketogenesis is active regardless of nutritional status. In a recent study from Kumamoto University (Japan), researchers analyzed the effects of ketogenesis in mice and found that it has a protective effect on cells by maintaining the function of mitochondria.

16 Mar 2021

Chromatin-regulating enzyme found to be a key driver of common lung cancer

A chromatin-regulating enzyme has been shown by in-depth interdisciplinary investigations to be a key driver of a common type of lung cancer. Drugs that target the enzyme could improve treatment and survival rates for this particular cancer.

15 Mar 2021

Molecular & Structural Biology

Researchers produce a detailed molecular atlas of lung development

Researchers discover a gene mutation linked to schizophrenia

Computational analysis reveals why new SARS-CoV-2 variants bind better to human cells

Researchers develop new method for measuring immunity to coronavirus

First model of early human embryo generated from skin cells

Study maps structure and mechanism of a membrane enzyme that plays role in inflammation, cancer

Researchers produce extremely conductive hydrogel for medical applications

Study reveals biomarkers for the prognosis of gastric adenocarcinoma

Weight loss induced by diet and bariatric surgery has different impact on mitochondria in fat tissue

New technique uses cell's own recycling machinery to destroy disease-causing proteins

Molecule produced by the immune system can reduce potency of antibiotics

UTSW researchers identify the structure of a key cell-surface protein

New method for growing embryos outside the womb

Researchers explore potential role of TARM1 protein in pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis

Insights into elusive protein complex can help find novel treatments for chromosomal disorders

Study investigates how neurons construct synapses of different strengths

Researchers unravel how a novel microbial small molecule is connected to dental caries development

Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Prizes for 2021 go to four female and six male researchers

Ketogenesis has a protective effect on mitochondria, finds study

Chromatin-regulating enzyme found to be a key driver of common lung cancer

Synthetic Biology and the Pursuit of Living Diagnostics

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

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

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