Biochemistry

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Phenolic Contaminants Drive Selective Radical Pathways for Antibiotic Degradation

Emerging contaminants such as antibiotics and persistent organic pollutants increasingly threaten global water security and public health.

13 Mar 2026

Dual Mechanism of Deep-Sea Sponge Compound Suppresses Cancer Cell Proliferation

A collaborative research team led by Professor Kaori Sakurai at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, together with Associate Professor Hiroaki Itoh and Professor Masayuki Inoue at Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, the University of Tokyo, has uncovered a previously unknown mechanism of action of yaku'amide B, a structurally complex peptidic natural product derived from deep-sea sponge found in the waters near Yakushima Island, Japan.

12 Mar 2026

Blood Tau217 Test Predicts When Alzheimer’s Symptoms May Begin

The %p-tau217 biomarker in blood offers a novel approach to estimate Alzheimer's onset, potentially transforming prevention trial strategies.

5 Mar 2026

DNA Changes in Alzheimer’s That May Drive Disease Progression

In a study published in Nature Communications, Mayo Clinic researchers discovered particular DNA-level abnormalities in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

4 Mar 2026

Research Shows Successful Recovery of Antigen-Specific T Cells in Mouse Models

Researchers at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX), in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), have developed the first bandage-like microneedle patch that can sample the body's immune responses painlessly from the skin. The device detects inflammatory signals within minutes and collects specialized immune cells within hours without the need for blood draws or surgical biopsies.

3 Mar 2026

Biofilms: The Unseen Factor in Human Space Travel

A global team of scientists has identified an often-overlooked biological system - biofilms - as a critical factor in the future of human space exploration.

26 Feb 2026

Engineered E. coli Produces Key Plant Compound at Record Levels

Researchers engineered E. coli to produce orsellinic acid-derived meroterpenoids, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plant extraction methods.

25 Feb 2026

Unlocking the Fear Circuitry of the Brain

Consider a star-shaped cell in the brain, extending its spindly arms to cradle the neurons surrounding it. That is an astrocyte, and for a long time, scientists assumed its role was to care for the brain, gluing neurons together and preserving neural circuits.

23 Feb 2026

Lab-Grown Brain Tissue Masters a Classic Computing Benchmark

Imagine balancing a ruler upright in the palm of the hand: There is a need to continually pay attention to the angle of the ruler and make several little changes to ensure it does not topple over.

20 Feb 2026

Microbial Engineering Breakthrough Improves Supply of Promising Pharmaceuticals

Bioengineered E. coli bacteria can now produce a group of compounds with anticancer, anti-HIV, antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory activities.

18 Feb 2026

Early Brain Development May Predispose Some People to Obesity

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have revealed that a critical developmental process in the brain's hypothalamus might influence an individual's vulnerability to obesity.

18 Feb 2026

Extracellular Matrix Sensing Enables Pancreatic Cancer Cells to Regulate Autophagy Levels

A feature of pancreatic cancer cells' surroundings determines whether they grow fast or become resistant to chemotherapy, a new study shows.

17 Feb 2026

Two-Step Fermentation Eliminates Unpleasant Plant Protein Odors

Off-putting smells can make even the healthiest of foods unpalatable.

16 Feb 2026

Bone-building hormone eases chronic low back pain by restoring vertebral microarchitecture

Parathyroid hormone shows promise in treating low back pain by remodeling degenerating vertebral endplates and limiting pathological sensory innervation.

12 Feb 2026

Understanding Inter-Micellar Interactions Governing Drug Nanocarriers

Polymer micelles are tiny, self-assembled particles that are revolutionizing the landscape of drug delivery and nanomedicine.

10 Feb 2026

Cells Use Protein Partnership to Manage Oxidative Stress

Cornell researchers have discovered a new way cells regulate how they respond to stress, identifying an interaction between two proteins that helps keep a critical cellular recycling system in balance.

10 Feb 2026

Powerful New Enzyme Efficiently Synthesizes RNA

From vaccines and diagnostics to emerging gene-based therapies, RNA molecules are now central to modern medicine.

10 Feb 2026

Formic Acid Drives Novel Electron Transfer in the Gut Bacteria

Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have discovered a surprising role for formic acid in the human gut: The small molecule acts as a kind of “taxi” for electrons – both within bacteria and, likely, also between different microorganisms.

9 Feb 2026

Rapid Enzyme Screening Unlocks Efficient Routes to Complex Pharmaceuticals

A team of biochemists at the University of California, Santa Cruz, has developed a faster way to identify molecules in the lab that could lead to more effective pharmaceuticals.

6 Feb 2026

New Insights into TRiC and Prefoldin Mechanics

Proteins are the molecular machines of cells. They are manufactured in protein factories known as ribosomes using their blueprint, or genetic information.

6 Feb 2026