Molecular & Structural Biology

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Study uncovers surprising role for calcium in shaping life's earliest molecular structures

A new study led by researchers at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI) at Institute of Science Tokyo has uncovered a surprising role for calcium in shaping life's earliest molecular structures.

27 Mar 2025

Unveiling leptin signaling in the DMH for metabolic effects

Scientists at Pennington Biomedical Research Center have gained greater clarity in the brain regions and neurons that control metabolism, body temperature and energy use.

27 Mar 2025

Ancient appetite-control molecule found in starfish and humans

A team of biologists at Queen Mary University of London has discovered that a neurohormone controlling appetite in humans has an ancient evolutionary origin, dating back over half a billion years.

24 Mar 2025

Asgard archaea provide clues to the origin of complex life forms

Ten years ago, nobody knew that Asgard archaea even existed. In 2015, however, researchers examining deep-sea sediments discovered gene fragments that indicated a new and previously undiscovered form of microbes.

22 Mar 2025

Advanced imaging technique reveals how nuclear pores regulate molecular movement

Just as cities must carefully manage the flow of cars in and out of downtown, cells regulate the movement of molecules into and out of the nucleus.

22 Mar 2025

Groundbreaking study unveils key mechanism for neuronal identity regulation

A team of researchers from the Institute for Neurosciences, a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, in collaboration with researchers from Columbia University (New York, USA), has identified a mechanism that regulates the production of two different proteins from the same gene.

22 Mar 2025

First molecular movie captures DNA unzipping at atomic level

Scientists at the University of Leicester have captured the first detailed "molecular movie" showing DNA being unzipped at the atomic level – revealing how cells begin the crucial process of copying their genetic material.

21 Mar 2025

Breakthrough study unveils mechanics of DNA unwinding

For the first time, scientists have witnessed the very moment DNA begins to unravel, revealing a necessary molecular event for DNA to be the molecule that codes all life.

19 Mar 2025

New RNA barcoding method tracks gene transfer in microbial communities

In the microscopic world of bacteria, gene transfer is a powerful mechanism that can alter cellular function, drive antibiotic resistance and even shape entire ecosystems.

19 Mar 2025

Discovery of new protein could revolutionize cancer drug delivery

A previously unknown protein in a family of bacteria found in soil and the human gut microbiome has been discovered – which could help drug delivery in cancer treatment.

17 Mar 2025

Study unravels mechanism behind unusual protein folding patterns

Proteins are long molecules that must fold into complex three-dimensional structures to perform their cellular functions. This folding process occasionally goes awry, resulting in misfolded proteins that, if not corrected, can potentially lead to disease.

14 Mar 2025

New approach to combat cancer by reactivating natural RNA kill switch

Alternative RNA splicing is like a movie editor cutting and rearranging scenes from the same footage to create different versions of a film.

14 Mar 2025

How your gut microbiome shapes anxiety

Researchers examine the role of the gut microbiome in the development of anxiety disorders.

12 Mar 2025

Novel regulators in digestive tract disease progression and treatment

This new article published in Genes & Diseases highlights the critical role of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in digestive tract diseases, positioning these molecules as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapies. The comprehensive review explores the biogenesis, classification, and biological functions of tsRNAs, shedding light on their influence over cellular processes such as translation regulation, epigenetic modification, and protein interactions.

11 Mar 2025

Study highlights the role of ELF4 as a key transcription factor in development, immunity, and oncology

ELF4, a transcription factor belonging to the ETS family, has emerged as a pivotal regulator in cell differentiation, immune system function, and cancer progression. This newly published review underscores its molecular complexity and clinical significance, shedding light on its dual role in tumor suppression and oncogenesis.

11 Mar 2025

New algorithm enhances prediction of disordered protein structures

The intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not attain a stable secondary or tertiary structure and rapidly change their conformation, making structure prediction particularly challenging.

7 Mar 2025

Researchers identify unique enzyme that targets prebiotic glycans

Carbohydrate chains, or glycans, are complex sugar-like compounds that play important roles in various biological processes and structures in our bodies.

6 Mar 2025

TUM scientists develop new protein purification method using UV light

Proteins play a key role in the life sciences - from basic research and biotechnological applications to the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

5 Mar 2025

Breakthrough study sheds light on Pol-theta’s role in DNA repair and cancer

DNA repair proteins act like the body's editors, constantly finding and reversing damage to our genetic code. Researchers have long struggled to understand how cancer cells hijack one of these proteins-called polymerase theta (Pol-theta)-for their own survival.

4 Mar 2025

Groundbreaking studies reveal how DNA folding guides sperm cell development

Two new landmark studies show how a seeming tangle of DNA is actually organized into a structure that coordinates thousands of genes to form a sperm cell.

3 Mar 2025