Molecular & Structural Biology

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Inflammatory Cytokines Trigger Higher Protein Levels as a Natural Defense Mechanism Against Disease

A new study from researchers at the University of Chicago provides important insight into how the pancreas protects itself during inflammation, pointing to promising new directions for treating pancreatitis.

23 May 2026

Specialized Intative Cells Release Peptide Hormones to Rapidly Signal an Amino Acid Deficiency

Eating is not only about getting enough calories. Animals also need to choose the right nutrients. When the body lacks protein, it must seek essential amino acids - the protein building blocks that cannot be made internally and must come from food.

23 May 2026

Synthetic Biology and Artificial Intelligence Transform the Discovery of Mysterious Orphan Receptors

A new review highlights how synthetic biology, AI, and spatial omics could transform ligand-receptor discovery from one-by-one searches into network-level mapping

23 May 2026

Study Explains Why Persistent Gut Damage Continues Despite HIV Treatments

For many people living with HIV, today's treatments can suppress the virus and dramatically improve health. But even when HIV is controlled, damage to the gut caused by the disease can persist, fueling chronic inflammation linked to serious health problems. A new Tulane University study published in JCI Insight helps explains why.

23 May 2026

New 3D-Printed Trays Help Produce Functioning Human Gut Organoids Twice as Fast

Thanks to special 3D-printed scaffolding trays designed by experts at Cincinnati Children's, researchers can now produce larger versions of functional human gut organoids twice as fast as previous methods-and these organoids grow their own nerve cells.

23 May 2026

Researchers Use Yeast Sugar Molecules to Extend COVID Vaccine Immunity in Mice

In a new study published in Nature Immunology, researchers at Boston Children's Hospital demonstrated that pairing the original COVID-19 mRNA vaccine with an immune system enhancer, known as an adjuvant, extended the duration of the vaccine's protection in mice from a few months up to two years. The combo also showed a more pronounced response against omicron viral components than the vaccine alone.

23 May 2026

AI Designs Custom Miniproteins to Precisely Control Cell Receptors

G protein-coupled receptors, or GPCRs, sit in the plasma membrane, the boundary that defines the inside and outside of a living cell. They communicate with nearly every physiological process in our bodies - from the ability to see and smell, to sensing of adrenaline, insulin, nutrients and medicines.

22 May 2026

Scientists Capture Live-Action Footage of Housekeeping Immune Cells Engulfing Melanoma

Scientists at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research have captured, for the first time, 'housekeeping' immune cells actively attacking and engulfing live melanoma cells – a discovery that could change the way we approach treatment for one of Australia's most common and deadly cancers.

22 May 2026

High Protein Levels Bypass Functional BRCA Defenses to Generate Toxic Double-Strand Genomic Breaks

When it comes to cancer, tumor suppressor genes are usually thought of as the "good guys." These genes make proteins that protect and repair DNA in cells.

22 May 2026

Dental Pulp Stem Cell Subsets Triggers Rapid Cellular Senescence and Tooth Decay

With age, teeth get increasingly brittle and susceptible to damage from tooth decay, which can eventually lead to tooth loss. Teeth have an intrinsic capability to regenerate, a process which is driven by dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) which replenish the dental pulp including the dentin-producing cells called odontoblasts.

22 May 2026

High-Resolution Cryo-EM Imaging Reveals a Hidden Secondary Drug Binding Site on Bacterial Ribosomes

A new Nature Communications study, published May 19, redefines scientists' understanding of how a popular class of antibiotics work.

22 May 2026

Scientists Find Key Genetic Boundary That Dictates Immune System Failure

Not all broken genes fail in the same way: some simply stop working, while others interfere with what still works.

22 May 2026

Researchers Discover That Lesion Cells Fail to Recruit Surrounding Tissue Into Tumor Growth Helpers

In an unexpected finding, a new study flips on its head researchers' understanding of how precancerous pancreas lesions evolve into pancreatic cancer. The paradigm-changing discovery has tremendous implications for identifying people at higher risk of cancer or even, potentially stopping malignant transformation.

21 May 2026

Scientists Synthesize Rare Sea Sponge Molecules to Boost Future Cancer Drug Development

Florida State University chemists have synthesized new molecules derived from bacteria found in a Pacific Ocean sea sponge, a breakthrough for the future of drug development, particularly for rare forms of cancer.

21 May 2026

Disrupted Honeycomb Cellular Patterns in the Early Brain May Drive Cancer and Birth Defects

University of Virginia School of Medicine scientists have revealed how mistakes in the final step of cell division can have dire consequences for developing brain cells. The findings offer important new insights into cancer and developmental disorders, helping explain how the body tries to protect itself and what happens when it can't.

21 May 2026

Analysis Reveals Blurred Neural Patterns During Failed Cognitive Switches

Most people have experienced the feeling: switching from one task to another, only to find the brain momentarily stuck in the old mode of thinking. Sometimes, even after realizing a strategy no longer works, the mind keeps returning to it anyway.

21 May 2026

Open-Chip Design Separates Fluid Resistance From Wall Confinement to Trace Cell Behavior

Most cancer studies focus on chemical signals or stiff tumor surroundings, but the stickiness of the fluid itself has received little attention. For glioblastoma, the invasion front is about eight times more viscous than the necrotic core, creating a rising resistance that migrating cells must overcome.

21 May 2026

Protein Plays Dual Role by Silencing Thousands of Genes While Keeping Vital Ones Active

The causes of male infertility can be hard to diagnose, with many tests failing to detect genetic defects. Sometimes, infertility doesn't even involve the genes themselves. It can arise from improper folding of the father's DNA in the sperm. If a couple conceives, this mispackaged DNA can damage the lifelong health of the child.

21 May 2026

Engineers Develop New mRNA Adjuvant That Dramatically Amplifies Cancer-Fighting T Cells

Engineers from the University of Houston, MIT and Harvard have developed a new mRNA-based strategy that dramatically amplifies the T-cell response to vaccines - an advance that could lead to far more powerful cancer vaccines and stronger protection against infectious diseases.

20 May 2026

Sensory Nerve Signals Block the Immune System's Response to Lung Cancer

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have revealed that sensory nerve signals interfere with the immune system's response to lung cancer. This previously unrecognized neuroimmune connection could be targeted to improve responses to immunotherapy.

20 May 2026

Molecular & Structural Biology

Inflammatory Cytokines Trigger Higher Protein Levels as a Natural Defense Mechanism Against Disease

Specialized Intative Cells Release Peptide Hormones to Rapidly Signal an Amino Acid Deficiency

Synthetic Biology and Artificial Intelligence Transform the Discovery of Mysterious Orphan Receptors

Study Explains Why Persistent Gut Damage Continues Despite HIV Treatments

New 3D-Printed Trays Help Produce Functioning Human Gut Organoids Twice as Fast

Researchers Use Yeast Sugar Molecules to Extend COVID Vaccine Immunity in Mice

AI Designs Custom Miniproteins to Precisely Control Cell Receptors

Scientists Capture Live-Action Footage of Housekeeping Immune Cells Engulfing Melanoma

High Protein Levels Bypass Functional BRCA Defenses to Generate Toxic Double-Strand Genomic Breaks

Dental Pulp Stem Cell Subsets Triggers Rapid Cellular Senescence and Tooth Decay

High-Resolution Cryo-EM Imaging Reveals a Hidden Secondary Drug Binding Site on Bacterial Ribosomes

Scientists Find Key Genetic Boundary That Dictates Immune System Failure

Researchers Discover That Lesion Cells Fail to Recruit Surrounding Tissue Into Tumor Growth Helpers

Scientists Synthesize Rare Sea Sponge Molecules to Boost Future Cancer Drug Development

Disrupted Honeycomb Cellular Patterns in the Early Brain May Drive Cancer and Birth Defects

Analysis Reveals Blurred Neural Patterns During Failed Cognitive Switches

Open-Chip Design Separates Fluid Resistance From Wall Confinement to Trace Cell Behavior

Protein Plays Dual Role by Silencing Thousands of Genes While Keeping Vital Ones Active

Engineers Develop New mRNA Adjuvant That Dramatically Amplifies Cancer-Fighting T Cells

Sensory Nerve Signals Block the Immune System's Response to Lung Cancer

The Future of Vision Restoration With ReVision Implant

How a Single List Is Changing Visibility for Women in Science

How Avatar Medical's 3D Technology Is Transforming How We Visualize the Human Body

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