Molecular & Structural Biology

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New algorithm predicts the evolution of genetic mutations in species

David McCandlish and Juannan Zhou, both quantitative biologists at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, have designed a new algorithm that has predictive power, providing researchers the ability to observe the way particular genetic mutations combine to make crucial proteins change over the duration of a species’ evolution.

16 Apr 2020

Molecular causes of brain asymmetry revealed

Scientists may have solved one of the most puzzling and persistent mysteries in neuroscience: why some people are "right-brained" while others are "left-brained."

15 Apr 2020

Scientists determine first 3D structure of COVID-19 main protease

A team of Chinese scientists has reported the high-resolution crystal structure of the main protease (Mpro) of the COVID-19 virus and has identified drugs that may hold promise in combating the virus.

15 Apr 2020

How human cells recognize undesirable guests

Until now, the immune sensor TLR8 has remained in the shadows of science. A research team led by the University of Bonn has now discovered how this sensor plays an important role in defending human cells against intruders.

15 Apr 2020

Clock protein moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots, roots

Five years ago, researchers from the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics led by the CSIC Research Professor Paloma Mas made the breakthrough discovery that the circadian clocks in the growing tip of the plant shoot function in a similar way to the clocks in the mammalian brain, which in both cases are able to synchronize the daily rhythms of the cells in distal organs.

14 Apr 2020

Metals can affect the formation of harmful misfolded peptide clusters in various diseases

Revealing the interactions between metal ions and peptides in the body could help develop enhanced treatments for Alzheimer’s diabetes, and other diseases.

14 Apr 2020

Role of VRAC ion channel in fight against virus infections

VRAC/LRRC8 chloride channels play a crucial role in the transport of neurotransmitters, amino acids, and cytostatics.

14 Apr 2020

Largest proteomic study reveals link between glucose metabolism proteins and AD biology

In the largest study to date of proteins related to Alzheimer's disease, a team of researchers has identified disease-specific proteins and biological processes that could be developed into both new treatment targets and fluid biomarkers.

13 Apr 2020

Combined effect of rare mutations has negative impact on health and longevity

In a study published recently in the eLife journal, researchers have reported that the combined effects of rare and damaging mutations that occur at birth itself have adverse effects on health span and longevity.

13 Apr 2020

A commonly expressed protein in skin can 'turn on' allergic itch

A commonly expressed protein in skin - periostin - can directly activate itch-associated neurons in the skin, according to new research from North Carolina State University.

9 Apr 2020

Study on butterfly breeding sheds light on the evolution of iridescent colors

At her Florida-based butterfly farm, Edith Smith bred a shinier and bluer Common Buckeye but it was Rachel Thayer, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) who described the genetic and physical variations that are fundamental to the newly acquired iridescence of the butterfly.

9 Apr 2020

Protein interaction study could shed light on the mechanism behind various diseases

The human body is made of billions of cells, and each cell is formed and maintained through innumerable interactions of its molecular parts.

9 Apr 2020

Enhancing DNA repair could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops

A new genome editing system enhances the efficiency of an error-free DNA repair pathway, which could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops.

8 Apr 2020

Research reveals insights into relationship between synthetic gene circuits and their host cells

Recent discoveries by two research teams in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University are advancing the field of synthetic biology.

7 Apr 2020

Researchers gain insight into synthesis and functions of lipids found in tears

New understandings of how lipids function within tears could lead to better drugs for treating dry eye disease.

7 Apr 2020

Phytochrome foci in plants exhibit different behaviors at different temperatures and light

Phytochrome B activates plant growth and regulates the flowering time, but the mechanism by which it performs these functions is not fully understood.

7 Apr 2020

Scientists discover molecular mechanism that regulates the body's immune sentinels

A team at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares, working in partnership with researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, has discovered a new molecular mechanism mediated by nuclear receptors that determines the identity and expansion of macrophages--one of the cell types that act as immune sentinels in the body.

6 Apr 2020

Making plant-based, protein-rich food to resemble meat

A team of University of Massachusetts Amherst food scientists has been awarded a grant from the Good Food Institute to create tasty, plant-based, protein-rich food that's similar in texture to whole chicken, pork or beef.

6 Apr 2020

Study designs artificial proteins that function as molecular logic gates

Researchers are currently using the same fundamental tools that enable the working of computers to manipulate life at the molecular level.

6 Apr 2020

Force can activate genes without intermediates, enzymes, or signaling molecules

A new study reports that cells tend to increase gene expression as a response to physical forces alone. According to the team, the initial step in the production of proteins—gene activation—begins within 1 ms once a cell gets stretched, which is hundreds of times faster than chemical signals can travel.

2 Apr 2020

Molecular & Structural Biology

New algorithm predicts the evolution of genetic mutations in species

Molecular causes of brain asymmetry revealed

Scientists determine first 3D structure of COVID-19 main protease

How human cells recognize undesirable guests

Clock protein moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots, roots

Metals can affect the formation of harmful misfolded peptide clusters in various diseases

Role of VRAC ion channel in fight against virus infections

Largest proteomic study reveals link between glucose metabolism proteins and AD biology

Combined effect of rare mutations has negative impact on health and longevity

A commonly expressed protein in skin can 'turn on' allergic itch

Study on butterfly breeding sheds light on the evolution of iridescent colors

Protein interaction study could shed light on the mechanism behind various diseases

Enhancing DNA repair could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops

Research reveals insights into relationship between synthetic gene circuits and their host cells

Researchers gain insight into synthesis and functions of lipids found in tears

Phytochrome foci in plants exhibit different behaviors at different temperatures and light

Scientists discover molecular mechanism that regulates the body's immune sentinels

Making plant-based, protein-rich food to resemble meat

Study designs artificial proteins that function as molecular logic gates

Force can activate genes without intermediates, enzymes, or signaling molecules

Quorum Bio: Where Synthetic Biology Meets Sustainable Farming

Diagnostic Biochips: Pioneering Brain Research Tools for the Future

Commercializing Innovation in a Life Sciences Ecosystem

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