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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

Scientists Develop Off-the-Shelf Vascular Grafts Using Stem Cells

Zhang, J., et al. (2025) Small-diameter artery grafts engineered from pluripotent stem cells maintain 100% patency in an allogeneic rhesus macaque model. Cell Reports Medicine. doi.org/10.1016/j.xcrm.2025.102002.

12 Mar 2025

Combination of Viral Antibodies and Genetic Risk Factors Linked to Increased MS Risk

In multiple sclerosis (MS), antibodies to the common Epstein-Barr virus can accidentally attack a protein in the brain and spinal cord. New research shows that the combination of certain viral antibodies and genetic risk factors can be linked to a greatly increased risk of MS.

12 Mar 2025

Unveiling the Shapeshifting Mechanisms of Metamorphic Proteins

The “shapeshifters” of bacterial, animal, and human cells are metamorphic proteins. Their capacity to rapidly transition between two distinct shapes allows them to perform a variety of tasks and adjust to shifting conditions.

11 Mar 2025

Cryo-EM Reveals 3D Structure of Nipah Virus RNA Polymerase

The replication of the Nipah virus's genetic material in infected cells has been demonstrated for the first time by researchers from the Max Planck Institute (MPI) for Multidisciplinary Sciences and the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG). In humans, the virus can cause fatal encephalitis.

11 Mar 2025

‘Rescue’ Mutations Protect Liver From Damage in Patients With Genetic Disorder

Acquired DNA mutations found in the SERPINA1 gene can protect liver cells from damage in patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, new research shows.

11 Mar 2025

Circular RNA's Transformative Role in Tumor Biology and Treatment

A new review article highlights the transformative role of circular RNA (circRNA) in cancer, revealing its potential as both a key player in tumor biology and a promising avenue for future therapies.

10 Mar 2025

Investigating Ubiquitination's Role in Cancer Stem Cell Regulation

This review highlights the critical role of ubiquitination in governing the functionality of cancer stem cells (CSCs), shedding light on potential therapeutic targets for combating tumor progression, recurrence, and drug resistance.

10 Mar 2025

Low-Cost, Flexible Protein Detection Platform for Global Health

Chemical and biomolecular engineers at Georgia Tech have created a plug-and-play platform for the detection of disease protein biomarkers that is straightforward, adaptable, and user-friendly, eliminating the need for expensive laboratory equipment.

10 Mar 2025

Advanced Algorithm Predicts Structures of Disordered Proteins

The intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not attain a stable secondary or tertiary structure and rapidly change their conformation, making structure prediction particularly challenging.

8 Mar 2025

Study Shows How Transposons Exploit Telomeres in Bacteria

Transposons, or "jumping genes" – DNA segments that can move from one part of the genome to another – are key to bacterial evolution and the development of antibiotic resistance.

8 Mar 2025

New Brain-Mapping Technique Pinpoints Cell Types Linked to Alzheimer's Progression

Researchers from The University of Texas at Arlington and the University of California–San Francisco have employed a novel brain-mapping technique to pinpoint memory-related brain cells that are susceptible to protein accumulation, a significant contributor to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, an irreversible and progressive neurological disorder that gradually impairs memory and cognitive abilities.

7 Mar 2025

New Method Creates Stable Fatty Acid Solutions for Biological Research

FAs are important in cellular processes such as membrane structure, energy storage, and signaling. However, challenges remain in preparing stable FA solutions due to their amphipathic nature and low solubility in water.

6 Mar 2025

Light-Driven Protein Isolation Replaces Affinity Chromatography

Proteins are essential in the life sciences, playing a crucial role in fundamental research, biotechnological applications, and the development and production of pharmaceuticals.

6 Mar 2025

Macrophages Use Bacterial Debris To Fine-Tune Immune Responses

Findings reveal macrophages' role in immune modulation through bacterial metabolites, paving the way for improved therapies for infections and inflammation.

6 Mar 2025

Discovery of Ball-and-Chain Mechanism Sheds Light on Ion Channel Regulation

A new study has unveiled a precise picture of how an ion channel found in most mammalian cells regulates its own function with a "ball-and-chain" channel-plugging mechanism, according to investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.

5 Mar 2025

New Approach Could Protect Insulin-Producing Beta Cells from Damage Related to Diabetes

Researchers from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York have discovered a novel approach to protecting insulin-producing beta cells from the damaging effects of glucolipotoxicity-a harmful condition linked to the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2D).

5 Mar 2025

Colossal Creates the Colossal Woolly Mouse, Showcasing Breakthroughs in Multiplex Genome Editing and Trait Engineering on the Path to a Mammoth

In an extraordinary achievement of advanced multiplexed genome engineering, Colossal Biosciences announces the birth of the Colossal Woolly Mouse—mice engineered to express multiple key mammoth-like traits that provide adaptations to life in cold climates.

5 Mar 2025