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New Synthetic Enzymes can Control Signaling Protein Vital to Embryonic Development

A University of Texas at Dallas bioengineer has developed synthetic enzymes that can control the behavior of the signaling protein Vg1, which plays a key role in the development of muscle, bone and blood in vertebrate embryos.

10 Nov 2023

Hidden Genetic Variations can be Detected Using New Nijmegen Method

Many hidden genetic variations can be detected with Chameleolyser, a new method developed in Nijmegen.

2 Nov 2023

Australasia’s Overlooked Pollination Crisis Could Lead to Biodiversity Loss and Food Insecurity

Australasia has likely overlooked a pollination crisis, according to new research published today in the journal Ecology and Evolution.

31 Oct 2023

New Modular Nanoparticle Technology Opens the Door to a Variety of Therapeutic Approaches

Engineers at the University of California San Diego have developed modular nanoparticles that can be easily customized to target different biological entities such as tumors, viruses or toxins.

31 Oct 2023

Genetics can Improve the Diagnostic Value of Cyanobacterial Biomarkers

Cyanobacteria are a key species in Earth's history, as they introduced atmospheric oxygen for the first time. The analysis of their evolution therefore provides important insights into the formation of modern aerobic ecosystems.

30 Oct 2023

Novel Replacement Strategy Opens the Door to Therapeutic Interventions for Genomic Diseases

Severe Combined Immunodeficiencies (SCIDs) are a group of debilitating primary immunodeficiency disorders, primarily caused by genetic mutations that disrupt T-cell development.

27 Oct 2023

ISB Researchers Discover Genetic Key to T Cell Development

T cells are soldiers on the front lines of the human immune system. They are responsible for many important roles, including attacking viral- or bacterial-infected cells and certain cancer cells, and immunological memory – remembering the specific pathogens or the cancer signatures that originally trigger T cells.

26 Oct 2023

Sunflower Waste Compounds Offer Natural Alternative to Fungicides

Opening a clamshell of berries and seeing them coated in fuzzy mold is a downer. And it's no small problem.

26 Oct 2023

Kingfisher Genes Reveal Secrets of How They Dive Without Sustaining Brain Damage

If you've ever belly-flopped into a pool, then you know: water can be surprisingly hard if you hit it at the wrong angle. But many species of kingfishers dive headfirst into water to catch their fishy prey.

24 Oct 2023

Hair Follicle Regression may be Driven by Cell-to-Cell Apoptosis

A new research paper was published in Oncotarget's Volume 14 on October 19, 2023, entitled, "Apoptotic cells may drive cell death in hair follicles during their regression cycle."

24 Oct 2023

Genomic Surveillance Shows Antibiotic Resistance in Ghana Driven by Clinical Use of Antibiotics

Some strains of heavily antibiotic-resistant bacteria in Ghana are not successful at spreading outside of the hospital, suggesting that control measures can be focused on clinical settings to help curb treatment-resistant infections.

17 Oct 2023

"Old School" Genetics may be Just Fine for Species Conservation, Study Suggests

In the world of threatened and endangered species conservation, the genomic revolution has raised some complicated questions: How can scientists justify assessing species genetic diversity without consulting entire genomes now that they can be sequenced?

17 Oct 2023

MIT Chemists Discover Structure of SARS-CoV-2 Ion Channel in Open State

The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes 29 proteins, one of which is an ion channel called E. This channel, which transports protons and calcium ions, induces infected cells to launch an inflammatory response that damages tissues and contributes to the symptoms of Covid-19.

16 Oct 2023

DNA from 19th Century Fruit Flies Sheds Light on Evolution

Back when the biggest fly enthusiasts of 19th century Sweden -; Carl Fredrik Fallén, for one, and later Johan Wilhelm Zetterstedt -; were collecting insects for what would become Lund University's entomological collections, they wondered exactly what was that buzzing coming from their can of raisins.

13 Oct 2023

Plants Evolve Benzoxazinoid Biosynthesis Independently

Individual species of very different plant families produce special indole-derived defense compounds called benzoxazinoids.

10 Oct 2023

Epigenetic Regulator MOF Plays Critical Role in Mitochondrial Function

The intricate control of cellular metabolism relies on the coordinated and harmonious interplay between the nucleus and mitochondria.

10 Oct 2023

Grass Gene Transfer Could Inform Future Crop Development

Grass may transfer genes from their neighbors in the same way genetically modified crops are made, a new study has revealed.

6 Oct 2023

Study Links Autism Gene to Broad Spectrum of Molecular and Cellular Defects

Researchers have used CRISPR gene editing, stem cells and human neurons to study the impact of a gene that is commonly mutated in autism.

6 Oct 2023

Research Provides a Comprehensive Set of Genomic Resources for Pangolins

A new paper in Molecular Biology and Evolution, published by Oxford University Press, for the first time provides a comprehensive set of genomic resources for pangolins, sometimes known as scaly anteaters, that researchers believe will be integral for protecting these threatened mammals.

5 Oct 2023