Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers identify osmotic stress as stimulator of cellular waste disposal

Cellular waste disposal, where autophagy and lysosomes interact, performs elementary functions, such as degrading damaged protein molecules, which impair cellular function, and reintroducing the resulting building blocks such as amino acids into the metabolic system.

29 Jun 2020

Deep-learning-based computational models predict the activities of SpCas9 variants

Specific sequences of DNA are typically cut using CRISPR-Cas9 that has become one of the most effective and convenient biotechnology tools today.

29 Jun 2020

Researchers identify novel protein complex that regulates chromosome segregation

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have identified a novel protein complex that regulates Aurora B localization to ensure that chromosomes are correctly separated during cell division.

26 Jun 2020

Single-cell sequencing can reveal genetic diversity of cancer cells

In the past, the potential to sequence the genome of the tumor has redefined the treatment of cancer by detecting cancer drivers at the molecular level.

26 Jun 2020

Researchers perform room-temperature X-ray measurements on SARS-CoV-2 main protease

A team of researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge and Argonne national laboratories has performed the first room-temperature X-ray measurements on the SARS-CoV-2 main protease -- the enzyme that enables the virus to reproduce.

26 Jun 2020

Simplified artificial cell sheds light on the dynamics of cellular symmetry

Symmetry and asymmetry are fundamental properties of nature. Seen from above, butterflies have left-right symmetry, while male fiddler crabs show dramatic asymmetry.

26 Jun 2020

Molecular dynamic simulations may contribute to structure-based drug design

Uppsala University scientists have reported that they have developed a new way to predict how unique molecules that can be employed in novel immunotherapy.

26 Jun 2020

New imaging techniques reveal individual transcription factor proteins in real time

A new study provides a new understanding of the mechanisms through which DNA-binding proteins look for the genome for their particular binding sites.

26 Jun 2020

Short-term exposure to low levels of air pollution can affect gene expression

New data from a landmark study by Monash University researchers raises concerns that even short-term exposure to low level air pollution can affect gene expression, leaving us at risk of diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

25 Jun 2020

Newly designed vesicles can help deliver drugs

Researchers have produced spherical and hollow sacks called vesicles using RNA and protein.

24 Jun 2020

Novel precision medicine targets cancer's DNA defenses

A new precision medicine targeting cancer's ability to repair its DNA has shown promising results in the first clinical trial of the drug class.

23 Jun 2020

Manipulating immune cells could be a viable strategy for treating cancer

Most traditional cancer therapies target either the tumor cells themselves or indiscriminately kill any rapidly dividing cell.

From UC San Diego 23 Jun 2020

Researchers identify genes that control the internal clock of plants

How do plants know when it is time to flower? Researchers at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) have studied this question and identified two genes that are key to this process.

23 Jun 2020

New study shows how a protein works as 'master regulator' in the immune system

Scientists at the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have discovered a potential new way to better fight a range of infectious diseases, cancers and even autoimmune diseases.

22 Jun 2020

Study sheds light on DNA sculpting properties of enigmatic protein

Sometimes, when something is broken, the first step to fixing it is to break it even more. In a recent example, scientists seeking to understand the mechanism of a DNA-repairing enzyme have discovered that the molecule performs its functions by first marking and then further breaking damaged DNA.

22 Jun 2020