Biochemistry

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Study Reveals the "Black Box" of Protein Quality Control in the ER

Over the past few years, Kivanç Birsoy of Rockefeller University and his colleagues in the Laboratory of Metabolic Regulation and Genetics have uncovered amazing information about the antioxidant glutathione, which has numerous vital functions in the body, including eliminating free radicals and repairing cellular damage.

20 Apr 2026

Natural Skincare Hero Madecassic Acid Found to Combat Antibiotic Resistance

Fans of Korean skincare may be familiar with 'hero ingredient' Madecassic acid for its skin-soothing properties, but researchers at the University of Kent have revealed its greater potential for use in the battle against antibiotic resistance.

11 Apr 2026

Chemical Strategy Unlocks Pollutant Degradation Potential in Native Soil Bacteria

Aromatic compounds, such as dioxins and benzene, are major soil pollutants. Their high chemical stability makes them resistant to microbial and chemical degradation, leading to toxic accumulation in the soil.

10 Apr 2026

Genomic Study Maps the Biosynthesis of Dihydromyricetin in Vine Tea

Vine tea has been consumed in China for centuries and is valued as both a beverage and a medicinal plant.

10 Apr 2026

Novel ENDOtollins Block Harmful Inflammation While Preserving Infection Response

Scripps Research scientists have developed a new class of drug compounds that reduce harmful inflammation while leaving the body's ability to fight infections intact-a long-sought goal in treating autoimmune diseases.

7 Apr 2026

How Bacterial Enzymes Use Ratchet Mechanisms to Break Down Collagen

Collagen is an important protein that helps build the tissues of humans and animals. It is very strong because it is made of three protein strands twisted tightly together like a rope. Because of this sturdy structure, ordinary protein-cutting enzymes usually cannot break it down.

6 Apr 2026

A Python-Inspired Molecule Suppresses Appetite After Eating

The study identifies pTOS as a key metabolite in appetite suppression, highlighting a gut–liver–brain pathway with implications for obesity therapy.

2 Apr 2026

Study Highlights the Vast Untapped Potential Within the Global Protein Universe

The number of known proteins is infinitely small in comparison to the universe of possible proteins which could in theory be realized. Yet these known proteins are the only major training ground for future protein design. Understanding how representative these proteins are of the overall potential diversity can therefore help inform strategies for a wide range of applications, including therapeutic, biocatalysis, or biomaterials development.

31 Mar 2026

Biodegradable Plastic Byproducts Impair Fetal Growth in Mouse Study

When the "eco-friendly" bioplastic, polylactic acid (PLA), biodegrades, the resulting nanoplastics can accumulate in the fetuses of pregnant mice and interfere with fetal growth. Yichao Huang and De-Xiang Xu of Anhui Medical University, China, and Mingliang Fang of Fudan University, China, report these findings in a new study published March 26th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology.

28 Mar 2026

SLIT3 Protein Drives Brown Fat Activation Through Dual Signaling

Researchers have determined how a key protein activates brown fat by expanding blood vessels and nerves in the heat-generating tissue.

26 Mar 2026

Reversing Memory Loss in Aging Mice by Targeting Gut Bacteria

The study uncovers how gut bacteria like Parabacteroides goldsteinii contribute to memory decline, offering insights for potential cognitive interventions.

26 Mar 2026

Turning Plastic Bottles into Levodopa, a Key Parkinson’s Treatment

This study demonstrates the conversion of plastic bottles into levodopa using engineered bacteria, highlighting a novel approach to sustainable drug production.

25 Mar 2026

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