Molecular & Structural Biology

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Study shows adverse effect of pH-dependent switch in protein interaction

Each biological process depends on pH in one way or another. The human body should maintain constant and specific pH regulation to function efficiently.

27 Oct 2020

Study sheds new light on penicillin allergy

Scientists have reported the first strong evidence of the role of HLA-B, a crucial histocompatibility complex gene, in penicillin allergy.

27 Oct 2020

Anti-inflammatory mediator could play key role in wound healing

"Wound healing is one of the most complex biological processes," writes Professor Kazumitsu Sugiura and Dr Kenta Saito from Fujita Health University, Japan, in their article recently published in Nature's Scientific Reports.

27 Oct 2020

Targeting DEL-1 molecule could be an effective way to treat autoimmune disease

Immune response is a balancing act: Too much can lead to inflammatory or autoimmune disease; too little could lead to a serious infection. Regulatory T cells, or Tregs, are important players in striking this balance, acting as "brakes" on the immune response so it doesn't go overboard.

27 Oct 2020

Study explains the nuances of mechanical signaling in cells

Actin is among the most abundant proteins in cells, and it has many jobs--from giving the cell its very shape and structure to managing networks of proteins crucial to numerous cellular functions. Without it, the fragile fundamental unit of life would crumble.

27 Oct 2020

Study shows molecular link between diet and cancer risk

Scientists have detected a molecular connection between dairy and meat diets and the development of antibodies in the blood that raises the risk of cancer.

26 Oct 2020

Experimental AI platform predicts best approach to cancer treatment

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given final approval to only 4% of all cancer therapeutic drugs being developed.

26 Oct 2020

Study indicates underlying molecular sources in COVID-19 variability

Humans have different susceptibilities to SARS-CoV-2, and eventually develop varying degrees of fatigue, fever, and breathing problems.

26 Oct 2020

Scientists develop lab-grown lung model to study SARS-CoV-2 infection

A team of Duke University researchers has developed a lab-grown living lung model that mimics the tiny air sacs of the lungs where coronavirus infection and serious lung damage take place. This advance has enabled them to watch the battle between the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and lung cells at the finest molecular scale.

23 Oct 2020

Novel technique could propel personalized treatments for cancer

When it comes to defeating cancer, some immune cells are mightier than others. But even the best-trained eye and today's advanced scientific tools have trouble discerning the most powerful tumor-fighting cells from the rest.

23 Oct 2020

New delivery system may treat male infertility

According to the Mayo Clinic, about 15% of couples are infertile, and male infertility plays a role in over one-third of these cases. Often, problems with sperm development are to blame.

22 Oct 2020

Study finds significant link between flavanol consumption and lower blood pressure

People who consume a diet including flavanol-rich foods and drinks, including tea, apples and berries, could lead to lower blood pressure, according to the first study using objective measures of thousands of UK residents' diet.

22 Oct 2020

Researchers identify a valuable source for treating pediatric cancer

For many cancers, doctors are increasingly looking to the DNA that solid tumors shed into the blood stream to help with diagnosis and monitoring.

22 Oct 2020

New research indicates the link between diabetes and SARS-CoV-2 viral infection

Recently, researchers explained that infection by certain enteroviruses could possibly activate diabetes.

22 Oct 2020

Molecular communication may help increase the resistance of crop plants against parasitic plants

Cuscuta spp., also known as dodder, is a parasitic vine which grafts to the host plant using special suckers to obtain water, minerals and carbohydrates.

21 Oct 2020

Researchers uncover a new cellular mechanism for disposing of misfolded proteins

About 30 years ago, Dr. Richard Sifers set out on a journey to discover why people with a rare condition known as alpha1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency present with high variation in the severity of liver disease.

21 Oct 2020

Researchers identify how melanoma redirects the immune system in cancer immunotherapy

The evolution of the refined human immune system has turned into an effective defense system against several diseases, including cancer.

21 Oct 2020

New strategy for capturing interactions among glycans and protein activators in live cells

Human cells are encased by a membrane coated with diverse sugar molecules known as glycans. These glycans play many roles in health and disease, making them important to understand.

20 Oct 2020

Visually responsive neurons in zebrafish are arranged in a map to efficiently catch prey

Spotting, pursuing and catching prey - for many animals this is an essential task for survival. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology now show in zebrafish that the localization of neurons in the midbrain is adapted to a successful hunting sequence.

20 Oct 2020