Biochemistry

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How venom from marine cone snails can be used in pain therapy

Conotoxins are bioactive peptides found in the venom that marine cone snails produce for prey capture and defense.

4 Nov 2019

Properties of spider silk proteins could be selectively modified to synthesize novel biomaterials

Spider silk consists of fiber-forming proteins, stored by the spider in a specialized gland. When the spider needs silk, for instance to build a web, it extrudes the silk proteins through a long duct in which they are exposed to specific mechanical and chemical influences and assembled to form silk.

4 Nov 2019

Research could address lingering quandaries about how life began

A research team at The University of Tokyo has reproducibly synthesized staircase-like supramolecules of a single handedness, or chirality, using standard laboratory equipment.

2 Nov 2019

Risky strategy allows malaria parasite to quickly respond to unpredictable changes

The parasite that causes malaria expresses genes that code for the proteins it will need in later life stages, using two separate schemes to prevent these proteins from actually being made until they are needed, according to new research.

31 Oct 2019

Mutated version of DNA repair protein may illuminate its role in preventing cancer

Two trillion times each day, the cells in a typical human divide to replace old, damaged or dead cells. Before a cell divides, though, it makes an exact copy of its DNA, which will be passed on to the new cells.

31 Oct 2019

Mechanisms preserving cell identity are based on status of proteins housing DNA

The inheritance, not only of DNA, but of changes to proteins that package it, maintains the identity of cells as they multiply, a new study finds.

31 Oct 2019

Japanese chemists develop vicinal reaction for creating highly functionalized ketones

Organic chemists are molecular architects, designing sophisticated structures. As the molecules used in science and medicine become ever more complex, new tools are needed to piece together the building blocks.

31 Oct 2019

Researchers describe how malaria parasites prepare blueprint to attack humans

Within seconds after an infected mosquito bites, the malaria parasite navigates the host skin and blood vessels to invade the liver, where it will stay embedded until thousands of infected cells burst into the bloodstream, launching malaria's deadly blood-stage infection.

31 Oct 2019

Researchers use AI to identify RNA binding sites on proteins

Researchers have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) tool that can accurately detect which sites on the surface of a protein bind to RNA molecules.

30 Oct 2019

Shape of lung tissue fibers influences respiratory elasticity

Take a deep breath. Now exhale. Congratulations! You've just done something completely ordinary, yet so mysterious that scientists still don't know everything about it.

29 Oct 2019

Rice scientists take a step toward simplifying drug manufacture

With a lot of hard work and a dash of salt, Rice University scientists have taken a step toward simplifying drug manufacture.

29 Oct 2019

Researchers unveil ultrastructure of focal adhesion scaffold in pluripotent stem cells

Focal adhesions are known as signaling platforms broadcasting the information of the biochemical and physical qualities of the extracellular matrix into intracellular signaling cascades.

25 Oct 2019

Insights about the sweet receptor could lead to better-tasting food

Whether it's chocolate cake or pasta sauce, the sensation of sweetness plays a major role in the human diet and the perception of other flavors.

24 Oct 2019

α-gels in skincare products synthesized using an environment-friendly surfactant

A layer of lipids covers our skin, and with its help our skin retains moisture and remains healthy. In the lipid layer, a compound called ceramide forms a "lamellar gel" with cholesterol, fatty acids, and water.

23 Oct 2019

Newly discovered organelle could help prevent cancer

Scientists at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have discovered a strange new organelle inside our cells that helps to prevent cancer by ensuring that genetic material is sorted correctly as cells divide.

22 Oct 2019

Columbia researchers capture new detailed images of a temperature-sensing molecule

Columbia University researchers have captured new detailed images of a temperature-sensing molecule in its open, intermediate, and closed states.

21 Oct 2019

'Flamenco-style' dancing molecule could form the basis for new longer-lasting sunscreen

A molecule that protects plants from overexposure to harmful sunlight thanks to its flamenco-style twist could form the basis for a new longer-lasting sunscreen, chemists at the University of Warwick have found, in collaboration with colleagues in France and Spain.

18 Oct 2019

Adding plant-based compound to gene therapy could improve treatment outcomes

Gene therapy has broadened the treatment possibilities for those with immune system deficiencies and blood-based conditions, such as sickle cell anemia and leukemia.

17 Oct 2019

Study shows how electrostatic interactions can be regulated to control scroll-like cochleate structures

Northwestern Engineering materials science researchers have uncovered new insights into how electrostatic interactions can be regulated to attain and control scroll-like cochleate structures, which could inform how to capture and release macromolecules in a size-selective manner as part of future drug-delivery strategies.

16 Oct 2019

Engineered communities of cells make long-distance calls

The search for effective biological tools is a marathon, not a sprint, even when the distances are on the microscale. A discovery at Rice University on how engineered communities of cells communicate is a long step in the right direction.

15 Oct 2019

Biochemistry

How venom from marine cone snails can be used in pain therapy

Properties of spider silk proteins could be selectively modified to synthesize novel biomaterials

Research could address lingering quandaries about how life began

Risky strategy allows malaria parasite to quickly respond to unpredictable changes

Mutated version of DNA repair protein may illuminate its role in preventing cancer

Mechanisms preserving cell identity are based on status of proteins housing DNA

Japanese chemists develop vicinal reaction for creating highly functionalized ketones

Researchers describe how malaria parasites prepare blueprint to attack humans

Researchers use AI to identify RNA binding sites on proteins

Shape of lung tissue fibers influences respiratory elasticity

Rice scientists take a step toward simplifying drug manufacture

Researchers unveil ultrastructure of focal adhesion scaffold in pluripotent stem cells

Insights about the sweet receptor could lead to better-tasting food

α-gels in skincare products synthesized using an environment-friendly surfactant

Newly discovered organelle could help prevent cancer

Columbia researchers capture new detailed images of a temperature-sensing molecule

'Flamenco-style' dancing molecule could form the basis for new longer-lasting sunscreen

Adding plant-based compound to gene therapy could improve treatment outcomes

Study shows how electrostatic interactions can be regulated to control scroll-like cochleate structures

Engineered communities of cells make long-distance calls

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

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