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Glycosylation and its Role in Human Health and Disease

The current understanding of glycosylation genetics in mammals and the consequences of mutations that impact glycosylation.

16 May 2024

Researchers Highlight Crucial Contributions of Astrocytes to Mental Health

The health and function of the brain depend on astrocytes, which are essential cells in the central nervous system. According to recent research, they affect behaviors and higher cognitive functions by controlling local neuronal activity.

22 Apr 2024

Bacterial "Vampirism" Fuels Deadly Infections

The world's deadliest bacteria actively seek out human blood to feed on, a phenomenon that scientists are referring to as “bacterial vampirism”.

17 Apr 2024

Study Uncovers Chromatin Modifier-Centered Pathway for Grain Size Regulation in Rice

Chromatin is the complex of DNA and proteins that makes up the genetic material in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells.

18 Jan 2024

New Irreversible Inhibitor Overcomes Drug Resistance in Cancer Cells

The concept of irreversible inhibitors binding permanently to a target protein has garnered growing interest for potential applications in drug development.

30 Nov 2023

Research Offers a Promising Avenue for Improving T-Cell-Based Cancer Therapies

Using laboratory-grown cells from humans and genetically engineered mice, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have evidence that modifying a specific protein in immune white blood cells known as CD8+ T cells can make the cells more robust, potentially opening the door for better use of people's own immune system T cells to fight cancer.

4 Oct 2023

Macrophages in the Duodenum Play an Important Role in Iron Deficiency

Approximately one to two milligrams of the trace element must be supplied daily through food and finally absorbed in the duodenum for a balanced iron metabolism.

21 Apr 2023

Study expands understanding of PAK1-related IDDMSSD

A recent study from Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine has expanded the clinical spectrum of a new epileptic disorder called Intellectual Developmental Disorder with Macrocephaly, Seizures, and Speech Delay (IDDMSSD) with the identification of the first recurrently affected residue identified in the protein kinase domain of PAK1 protein.

30 Mar 2023

New DNA editing tool could rapidly accelerate the design of custom microbes

A DNA editing tool adapted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory scientists makes engineering microbes for everything from bioenergy production to plastics recycling easier and faster.

29 Mar 2023

New host protease determinants facilitating the infection of SARS-CoV-2 identified

Researchers from Department of Microbiology, School of Clinical Medicine, LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), has identified novel host protease determinants, that facilitate the infection of SARS-CoV-2, including the Omicron variant, which provided new targets for combating the pandemic.

22 Feb 2023

New insights into the mechanism underlying the immunomodulatory effects of polyphenols

PCB2DG, a polyphenol with anti-inflammatory properties, works by targeting and directly interacting with the major glutamine transporter protein, alanine serine cysteine transporter 2 (ASCT2), to inhibit the uptake of glutamine, an important amino acid found in the blood.

22 Feb 2023

Study identifies genetic mutation in the SPTSSA gene as cause of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia

A genetic mutation in the SPTSSA gene is identified as the cause of Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a rare disease that causes progressive weakness, stiffness and spasticity in the lower extremities, according to a study, "SPTSSA variants alter sphingolipid synthesis and cause a complex hereditary spastic paraplegia," published in Brain on on Jan. 30.

1 Feb 2023

Newly developed tool helps snip out faulty genes in a safe manner

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have come up with a new tool that has the potential to detach faulty genes and exchange them with new ones in a highly safe and effective way.

From Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 25 Nov 2022

Omicron variant inefficient in causing diseases than other COVID-19 variants, study reveals

Scientists from the Department of Microbiology at the University of Hong Kong (HK) have found that the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 replicates less efficiently and causes fewer diseases than other variants of COVID19.

27 Jan 2022

SARS-CoV-2 virus may be able to infect the inner ear, study shows

Many Covid-19 patients have reported symptoms affecting the ears, including hearing loss and tinnitus. Dizziness and balance problems can also occur, suggesting that the SARS-CoV-2 virus may be able to infect the inner ear.

1 Nov 2021

Study develops a highly efficient expression system for high protease yield

Proteases, one of the most inventive products, are utilized to enhance the efficacy of feed additives.

28 Sep 2021

Researchers suggest new strategies for finding drugs that neutralize key enzymes

Scientists from the UK's University of Bath explore racemases - an important type of enzyme that is linked to certain cancers and other life-threatening diseases while also being critical to cell function - in a paper published in the prestigious journal Chemical Society Reviews. The scientists also propose new strategies for finding drugs that neutralize these enzymes.

From University of Bath 26 May 2021

New drug-like compound designed to stop malaria in its tracks

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute and the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis have designed a drug-like compound which effectively blocks a critical step in the malaria parasite life cycle and are working to develop this compound into a potential first of its kind malaria treatment.

13 May 2021

Study reveals mechanism by which ibuprofen prevents RAC1B alternative splicing in colorectal cells

Oncotarget published "Ibuprofen disrupts a WNK1/GSK3β/SRPK1 protein complex required for expression of tumor-related splicing variant RAC1B in colorectal cells" which reported that although the molecular mechanism behind the antitumor properties of NSAIDs has been largely attributed to inhibition of cyclooxygenases , several studies have shown that the chemopreventive properties of ibuprofen also involve multiple COX-independent effects.

23 Mar 2021

Genetic flaw shows promise for treating eye disease

A genetic flaw may hold the key to delay or prevent the onset of a serious eye disorder that can result in blindness and vision loss.

From Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) 17 Mar 2021