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New model can help identify potential drug targets for ulcerative colitis

Scientists from the Lerner Research Institute at Cleveland Clinic have designed an innovative, patient-derived model of ulcerative colitis that will help scale up studies into new therapies for chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

12 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

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

New technique to detect gene doping in human plasma

All athletes wish to be at the top of their game while competing, yet some turn to corrupt strategies to achieve peak speed, agility, and muscle growth. Latest advancements in gene editing technology could lure athletes to change their DNA to gain an upper hand.

7 Jan 2021

New class of protein materials can influence cell signaling

A new study has revealed that a novel class of protein material that communicates with living cells without being absorbed by them can affect cell signaling. The protein material does this by attaching and sequestering cell surface receptors.

7 Jan 2021

Researchers create molecular ON-OFF switches to regulate CAR T cell activity

CAR T cells are a breakthrough class of effective but often toxic cancer therapies. To prevent overactivation, switchable CAR T cells were engineered that can be turned on and off with an approved, widely used cancer drug.

7 Jan 2021

Study addresses mystery of how chromosomes are inherited during cell division

Starting as a single cell, organisms undergo millions of generations of divisions to ultimately generate the bones, heart, brain and other components that make up a living being. The mainspring within this intricate process is the transfer of DNA through each subsequent cell split within discrete packets called chromosomes.

7 Jan 2021

Sugar-binding protein could serve as a useful biomarker for patients at risk of sepsis

According to a research team headed by the University of Connecticut Health, a sugar-binding protein could drive terrible inflammation and worsen sepsis—a disease that kills over 270,000 individuals per year in the United States alone.

5 Jan 2021

Scientists resolve long-standing debate over key mechanism involved in gene silencing

Scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have resolved a long-standing debate over how crucial gene-silencing protein detects its targets.

5 Jan 2021

Study shows that hemoglobin in several species descends from a single gene

The marine worm Platynereis dumerilii has enabled researchers from CNRS, Université de Paris, Sorbonne Université, University of Saint Petersburg, and the University of Rio de Janeiro to demonstrate that hemoglobin appeared independently in several species and actually evolved from a single gene transmitted to all by their last common ancestor.

4 Jan 2021

Combination method can boost immunotherapy for breast cancer

According to a new study performed by scientists from the University of North Carolina, stimulating an immune signaling pathway, which is best known for combating bacterial and viral infections, can increase the potential of genetically engineered T cells to remove breast cancer in mice.

4 Jan 2021

Twist‐and‐squeeze mechanism of transporter protein confers cancer drug resistance

In 1986, cellular biochemist Kazumitsu Ueda, currently at Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences, discovered that a protein called ABCB1 could transport multiple chemotherapeutics out of some cancer cells, making them resistant to treatment. How it did this has remained a mystery for the past 35 years.

29 Dec 2020

Chromosomal instability is associated with cancer's aggressiveness

Cancer cells are known for spreading genetic chaos. As cancer cells divide, DNA segments and even whole chromosomes can be duplicated, mutated, or lost altogether.

29 Dec 2020

HKU researchers develop new drug discovery strategy targeting membrane proteins on live cells

A research team led by Dr Xiaoyu LI from the Research Division for Chemistry, Faculty of Science, in collaboration with Professor Yizhou LI from School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chongqing University and Professor Yan CAO from School of Pharmacy, Second Military Medical University in Shanghai has developed a new drug discovery method targeting membrane proteins on live cells.

29 Dec 2020