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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

CRISPR Technologies Transform On-Site Detection of Animal Pathogens

The rapid spread of animal diseases and pathogen evolution have long posed significant threats to the healthy development of animal husbandry.

28 Nov 2025

Capturing a Self-Splicing Ribozyme in Motion

RNA is a central biological macromolecule, now widely harnessed in medicine and nanotechnology. Like proteins, RNA function often depends on its precise three-dimensional structure.

28 Nov 2025

Real-Time Visualization Reveals the Transcriptional Gearbox

Life's instructions are written in DNA, but it is the enzyme RNA polymerase II (Pol II) that reads the script, transcribing RNA in eukaryotic cells and eventually giving rise to proteins.

28 Nov 2025

New Regulatory Pathway Enhances Key Aroma Compound in Wine Grapes

β-Damascenone is a key norisoprenoid compound responsible for characteristic floral and fruity aromas in grapes and wines, particularly those from non-aromatic varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.

27 Nov 2025

Gene Transcription Start Sites Identified as Hidden Mutational Hotspots

Researchers have discovered new regions of the human genome particularly vulnerable to mutations. These altered stretches of DNA can be passed down to future generations and are important for how we study genetics and disease.

27 Nov 2025

Mitochondrial Mutation Found to Rewire Immune Function

Scientists have discovered how a mitochondrial mutation rewires immune function in a model of inherited primary mitochondrial disorders, which often lead to severe disability and death.

27 Nov 2025

Scientists Uncover Inner Workings of Biomolecular Condensates Linked to ALS

Inside the cell reside many tiny assembly factories and warehouses that gather together all of the proteins and RNAs-which carry out instructions from our DNA-that a living being needs.

27 Nov 2025

Discovery Reveals Unexpected Role for OTULIN in Controlling Tau Expression

Scientists have uncovered a surprising mechanism by which a brain enzyme called OTULIN controls the expression of tau, the protein that forms toxic tangles in Alzheimer's disease.

26 Nov 2025

Transcription Factor SmMYB53 Drives Enhanced Tanshinone Synthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza

Salvia miltiorrhiza has long been used in traditional medicine, with tanshinones being its main active compounds.

19 Nov 2025

LEVA Enables Real-Time Tracking of Extracellular Vesicle Communication

In stunning new time-lapse videos, biological nanoparticles scoot and flit across a starry field of glowing dots.

19 Nov 2025

Nanoplastics Accelerate Ovarian Cancer Growth At Real-World Exposure Levels

Research shows polystyrene nanoplastics accelerate ovarian cancer growth by activating CDK4/6 pathways, with Palbociclib offering a potential countermeasure.

19 Nov 2025

Researchers Discover Molecular Switch That Helps Breast Cancer Cells Survive Stress

Cells are regularly faced with environmental stresses that may damage or destroy them. To survive, they quickly adjust their gene expression to protect themselves.

18 Nov 2025

RNA Imaging Predicts Early Cell Damage with High Sensitivity

NIMS, in collaboration with Nagoya University, Gifu University, and the University of Adelaide, has developed a method for simultaneously imaging DNA and RNA inside cells using harmless infrared to near-infrared light.

14 Nov 2025

New "Ultra-Mild" Method Corrects Cancer DNA Methylation Test Errors

Traditional bisulfite sequencing damages DNA, while enzyme-based alternatives are inconsistent. A novel methylation analysis method, called UMBS-seq, was published this week in Nature Communications. UMBS-seq achieves both accuracy and gentleness, unlocking more reliable cancer biomarker detection.

13 Nov 2025