Electron News and Research

RSS

Study reveals novel antibody binding implicated in liver and breast cancer

In the field of structural biology, certain molecules are so uncommon that they can only be captured with a special set of tools.

18 Feb 2021

New technique reveals natural structure of large enzyme complex

A new technique has revealed the natural structure of specifically massive and complex enzymes.

11 Feb 2021

Scientists discover how the 3D structure of eye-lens proteins is formed

The lens of the human eye gets its transparency and refractive power from the fact that certain proteins are densely packed in its cells.

11 Feb 2021

Defective catalyst can simplify generation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen

Rice University researchers have created a "defective" catalyst that simplifies the generation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen.

10 Feb 2021

Scientists determine biological mechanism that may lead to more efficient antibiotics

Hormone-mimicking molecules that trigger the production of antibiotics in soil bacteria could present new opportunities for drugs that are right under our feet.

From The University of Warwick 5 Feb 2021

Synthetic biomolecule resembles dual stimuli-responsive channel

For the first time, researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and the University of Tokyo in Japan have produced a new artificial transmembrane ion channel—based on a naturally found transmembrane channel that plays a role in neuron signaling—that reacts to both electrical and chemical stimuli.

2 Feb 2021

Study describes dynamic link between protein folding and misfolding

Correct, or native, protein folding is essential for correct protein function. Protein misfolding can lead to the formation of amyloid fibrils, and amyloidosis, which is implicated in various human neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases.

From Osaka University 2 Feb 2021

Study: Phase separated droplets have many important functions in cells

Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process by which cells capture and degrade their own dysfunctional or superfluous components for degradation and recycling.

22 Jan 2021

Study reveals unusual chemical steps involved in the synthesis of antibiotics

Pictures of a protein that plays a key role in the production of a potent antibiotic have disclosed the first unusual steps involved in the synthesis of antibiotics.

From Penn State University 19 Jan 2021

Nanobodies can prevent entry of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into human cells

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have developed, in collaboration with researchers in Germany and the U.S., new small antibodies, also known as nanobodies, which prevent the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus from entering human cells.

13 Jan 2021

Researchers develop novel nanobodies against SARS coronavirus-2

An international research team led by the University of Bonn has identified and further developed novel antibody fragments against the SARS coronavirus-2. These "nanobodies" are much smaller than the classic antibodies used to treat US President Donald Trump, for example.

13 Jan 2021

Pillar-like molecules could be used as biosensors to detect metabolites

Metabolites are essentially organic molecules that are formed or participate during the biochemical reactions that continuously occur in an organism.

12 Jan 2021

Automated electron microscopy helps visualize neural function and behavior

Researchers are still clueless about how the neural networks are linked together to make functional circuits.

From Harvard Medical School 12 Jan 2021

Study unravels the mystery of infectious virion formation

Researchers have for the first time identified the way viruses like the poliovirus and the common cold virus 'package up' their genetic code, allowing them to infect cells.

11 Jan 2021

Two cryo-EM studies identify different types of ATP synthase organization

The mitochondrial ATP synthase is energy-converting macromolecular machine that uses the electrochemical potential across the bioenergetic membrane called cristae. This potential is maintained via a membrane curvature that is induced by ATP synthase assembled in dimers.

11 Jan 2021

Scientific experts discuss the definition of fermented foods and beverages

The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics has brought together a group of experts to address the state of knowledge on fermented foods.

8 Jan 2021

High-speed atomic force microscopy sheds light on structure, dynamics of intrinsically disordered proteins

Kanazawa University’s pioneering high-speed atomic force microscope technology has now shed light on the structure and dynamics of some of life’s most ubiquitous and inscrutable molecules – intrinsically disordered proteins.

29 Dec 2020

Anti-diarrhea drug could be used to induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines

The research group led by Dr Sjoerd van Wijk from the Institute of Experimental Cancer Research in Paediatrics at Goethe University already two years ago found evidence indicating that the anti-diarrhea drug loperamide could be used to induce cell death in glioblastoma cell lines.

23 Dec 2020

Advanced methodology reveals structures of Arp2/3 complex within cells

The cells in our body are in motion. Some migrate from A to B to heal wounds or fight pathogens. They do so with the help of small "feet" at the leading edge of migrating cells, so-called lamellipodia.

22 Dec 2020

Scientists observe detailed images of spike proteins in coronavirus

Coronaviruses, similar to the one that causes COVID-19 infection, are embedded with protein “spikes” that attach to receptors on their victims’ cells.

21 Dec 2020