Molecular & Structural Biology

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Mitochondrial inner membrane fusion protein acts as a molecular chaperone

Cells contain numerous functional “micro-organs” known as organelles. Mitochondria, the “power plant” of the cell, are the energy-producing organelles.

25 Oct 2021

Stem cell therapy for heart disease enhanced with protein from fetal heart

The human heart, upon aging, slowly loses its capability to repair itself after injury. Damage caused by injuries like heart attack and cardiac ischemia—linked to decreased oxygen levels in the heart—can result in below normal capacity of heart functioning, making it tough for the patients to carry out daily activities.

25 Oct 2021

Scientists use DNA to create what may be the world's tiniest ruler for measuring proteins

As scientists have probed the mysteries of life down to smaller and smaller scales, they have invented tools to help them understand what they observe.

22 Oct 2021

New insights into the role of fat cells in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration

Findings published this week reveal new insights into the role of fat cells in cognitive decline and neurodegeneration, according to a study that involves the oxidant amplification loop led by Marshall University scientists.

22 Oct 2021

Experts develop antibodies that effectively remove senescent cells

The reason why some people age worse than others and develop diseases linked to the aging mechanism is largely unknown.

22 Oct 2021

Study pinpoints the mutational hotspots in DNA

Recent research at the University of Bath reveals that tangles in unwound DNA can develop mutational hotspots in the genomes of bacteria.

From University of Bath 21 Oct 2021

Mitochondria of diabetic patients can't keep track of time, study finds

Almost all cells regulate their biological processes over a 24-hour period, otherwise called a cell's circadian rhythm. To do so, cells use a biological clock that cycles different genes on and off throughout the day and night.

21 Oct 2021

New biomarker can help characterize specific types of asthma and COPD

Rutgers researchers have discovered that people with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have a protein in their lungs that leaks a small molecule into their bloodstream that restricts their breathing instead of relaxing their airways.

From Rutgers University 21 Oct 2021

Research illustrates the complex mechanism of bacterial innate immunity

Recent research anticipates utilizing newly characterized defense systems in bacteria to match changes to the human genome.

From Durham University 21 Oct 2021

Study investigates the role of essential genes in acetic acid tolerance

Saccharomyces cerevisiae, also known as Baker’s yeast, is industrially utilized for the production of different biochemicals.

21 Oct 2021

Experts explain left–right asymmetry development in the embryo

Research on the development of symmetry in mice embryos is anticipated to provide a deeper understanding of the causes of disease.

21 Oct 2021

Neuroinflammation protein associated with sex-specific survival differences in glioblastoma patients

Scientists have discovered a new link that could bring the scientific and medical community closer to understanding why glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor, is deadlier in males than females.

19 Oct 2021

Researchers identify novel cytokinin signaling component

The classical historic plant hormones, cytokinins, regulate different aspects of plant growth and development. These include crucial agronomic traits like grain number in rice.

19 Oct 2021

Experts discover effective means to design and build DNA nanostructures

Researchers recently identified the means to get the best DNA to communicate with membranes in the body.

From The University of New South Wales (UNSW) 19 Oct 2021

Study explains why shift workers are vulnerable to heart problems

Recent research demonstrates how circadian rhythms in heart cells help to change heart function.

19 Oct 2021

Novel computationally modeled proteins help control cellular processes

Doctoral assistant Sailan Shui loves to experiment with proteins, activating and deactivating them similar to turning on and off the light switches.

19 Oct 2021

Cellular environment impacts structure of the nuclear pore complex

Context matters. It's true for many facets of life, including the tiny molecular machines that perform vital functions inside our cells.

From Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 18 Oct 2021

Novel method enables quick identification of small active substance molecules

Secondary natural substances that occur in numerous plants, bacteria and fungi can be anti-inflammatory, can ward off pathogens or even prevent the growth of cancer cells. However, making use of the riches provided by nature's medicine cabinet and identifying new natural substances is time-consuming, costly and labour-intensive. A team of bioinformaticians at Friedrich Schiller University Jena has now developed a method that enables much faster and easier identification of small active substance molecules.

18 Oct 2021

Researchers refine cryogenic electron microscopy technique

In the late 1600s, the Dutch tradesman Anthoni van Leeuwenhoek began investigating the world of the very small using the first microscope, discovering a riotous world of protists, bacteria, and other previously unseen organisms.

18 Oct 2021