Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers study how membraneless organelles form and organize themselves

In cells, numerous important biochemical functions take place within spherical chambers made from proteins and RNA.

9 Feb 2021

Researchers uncover clues to why some corals are resistant to bleaching

Coral reefs are beautiful and diverse ecosystems that power the economies of many coastal communities. They're also facing threats that are driving their decline, including the planet's warming waters.

9 Feb 2021

Researchers identify three genes regulating stemness of gastric tissue stem cells

Tissue stem cells can self-renew and differentiate, supplying cells necessary for tissues at various developmental stages.

9 Feb 2021

New bioinformatic tool allows scientists to digitally genotype sequenced populations

With the recently developed bioinformatic tool, called SSRgenotyper, scientists can now use simple sequence repeats to digitally genotype sequenced populations.

9 Feb 2021

$1.8 million NIH grant supports research on extracellular vesicles

Scientists have known for decades that our cells constantly shed tiny pieces known as extracellular vesicles (EVs), but until relatively recently they believed that this process was merely a way for cells to rid themselves of material that was no longer needed.

8 Feb 2021

Scientists determine biological mechanism that may lead to more efficient antibiotics

Hormone-mimicking molecules that trigger the production of antibiotics in soil bacteria could present new opportunities for drugs that are right under our feet.

From The University of Warwick 5 Feb 2021

Researchers propose new technique to detect SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2 infects human beings by attaching its surface-exposed spike proteins to ACE2 receptors, which in turn, are exposed on the cell membranes.

5 Feb 2021

Researchers explore the regulatory role of protein in human health and disease

Researchers from the University of Virginia, Lehigh University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are pooling their respective labs' expertise to unlock the mysteries of a protein that plays a critical regulatory role in human health and disease.

5 Feb 2021

Using insights from neuroscience to build modern robots

Today, neuroscience and robotics are developing hand in hand. Mikhail Lebedev, Academic Supervisor at HSE University's Centre for Bioelectric Interfaces, spoke about how studying the brain inspires the development of robots.

4 Feb 2021

Genetic burden of retrogene mutations is greater than originally believed

According to a new study performed by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology in Plön, Germany, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, the possible genetic burden of mutations emerging from retrogenes is considerably greater than originally believed.

3 Feb 2021

Scientists identify new drug target for treating Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome

Researchers have discovered a promising treatment method for Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS)—a debilitating genetic disorder that accounts for rapid and premature aging in children.

3 Feb 2021

Hyperactive RANK protein could trigger autoimmune diseases

Autoimmune diseases, in which the body's own immune system attacks healthy tissue, can be life-threatening and can impact all organs.

3 Feb 2021

Researchers gain a deep insight into the evolutionary history of bitter receptors

To evaluate the chemical composition of food from a physiological point of view, it is important to know the functions of the receptors that interact with food ingredients. These include receptors for bitter compounds, which first evolved during evolution in bony fishes such as the coelacanth.

3 Feb 2021

Synthetic biomolecule resembles dual stimuli-responsive channel

For the first time, researchers from the Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) and the University of Tokyo in Japan have produced a new artificial transmembrane ion channel—based on a naturally found transmembrane channel that plays a role in neuron signaling—that reacts to both electrical and chemical stimuli.

2 Feb 2021

Noncoding RNA plays key role in sepsis, regulates inflammatory gene expression

Sepsis can result when the body’s immune response to a specific infection gets out of control.

From University of California Santa Cruz 2 Feb 2021

Study describes dynamic link between protein folding and misfolding

Correct, or native, protein folding is essential for correct protein function. Protein misfolding can lead to the formation of amyloid fibrils, and amyloidosis, which is implicated in various human neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's diseases.

From Osaka University 2 Feb 2021

Researchers study persister cells that go dormant and tolerant to antibiotics

Mehmet Orman, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, has received a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation.

2 Feb 2021

Yale scientists discover novel metabolic gatekeeper mechanism for leukemia

In a new study led by Yale Cancer Center, researchers have discovered a novel metabolic gatekeeper mechanism for leukemia. This mechanism depends on a molecule called PON2, which could lead to a new treatment for the disease. The findings were published online today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

2 Feb 2021

Ocean acidification could be affecting lobsters on a molecular scale

The American lobster, which supports the most valuable fishery in North America, maybe more susceptible to the effects of climate change than previously thought, according to a new study published in Ecology and Evolution.

29 Jan 2021

3D genome study reveals molecular regulatory mechanisms of human brain evolution

A team led by Prof. SU Bing from the Kunming Institute of Zoology (KIZ) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Prof. LI Cheng from Peking University, and Prof. ZHANG Shihua from the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science of CAS has reported the highest resolution by far of the 3D genome of the primate brain, and demonstrated the molecular regulatory mechanisms of human brain evolution through cross-species multi-omics analysis and experimental validation. The study was published in Cell.

29 Jan 2021