Molecular & Structural Biology

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New approach to stabilize RSV protein could lead to better vaccines

In most people, the lung-infecting pathogens known as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human metapneumovirus (hMPV) trigger mild cold-like symptoms. But in infants and seniors, these viruses can cause severe pneumonia and even death.

20 Nov 2024

Study reveals high-resolution structure of blood pressure-regulating receptor

Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have determined the full-length structure of a blood pressure-regulating hormone receptor for the first time, uncovering how it functions, which may enable better drug targeting of the receptor for diseases like hypertension and heart failure.

15 Nov 2024

MassiveFold advances protein structure prediction with efficient parallel processing

Researchers developed MassiveFold, an enhanced AlphaFold version optimized for parallel processing, which accelerates protein structure predictions from months to hours while increasing structural diversity.

12 Nov 2024

Vitamin D receptor activation slows cell overgrowth in pulmonary hypertension

The study demonstrates that activating the vitamin D receptor (VDR) with calcitriol suppresses cell proliferation in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells, potentially reducing disease severity in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

12 Nov 2024

Does more education reshape your brain?

Researchers found no long-term brain structure changes from an extra year of compulsory education, challenging theories about education's impact on neural development.

10 Nov 2024

How gut bacteria regulate stress and sleep cycles

This study reveals that gut microbiota, particularly Lactobacillus species, regulate the daily rhythm of stress hormones like corticosterone, influencing stress responses and brain function at different times of the day. Disruptions in gut bacteria lead to altered stress responses and increased susceptibility to disorders like depression.

10 Nov 2024

New insights into early Huntington's disease mechanisms

Researchers uncover a link between impaired glutathione–ascorbate metabolism and early dopamine increases in Huntington's disease, suggesting GSTO2 as a potential therapeutic target to manage motor dysfunction.

4 Nov 2024

Mapping tumor microenvironments: Uncovering spatial subclones for improved cancer treatment

Researchers investigate the spatial organization of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment.

31 Oct 2024

Discovering how cells reorganize during division

A living cell is a bustling metropolis, with countless molecules and proteins navigating crowded spaces in every direction.

29 Oct 2024

Ground beef vs. soy-based meat: Which packs more muscle-building power?

Researchers compare the effectiveness of plant-based meat alternatives and ground beef in stimulating muscle protein synthesis.

28 Oct 2024

Structural biology reveals secrets of DEV phage infection

The viruses that infect bacteria are the most abundant biological entities on the planet. For example, a recent simple study of 92 showerheads and 36 toothbrushes from American bathrooms found more than 600 types of bacterial viruses, commonly called bacteriophages or phages.

22 Oct 2024

Scientists reveal how miRNAs shape cancer and offer new paths for treatment

Review explores how microRNAs (miRNAs) interact in cancer development, their potential in diagnosis, and innovative therapeutic strategies, including overcoming chemotherapy resistance.

20 Oct 2024

DNA barcoding reveals hidden species diversity

The Earth is an almost unimaginably diverse planet in terms of species. Researchers have identified between two and three million species, but there are many more that we know nothing about.

18 Oct 2024

Molecular chaperones as key players in tumor suppressor stability

A new review was published in Oncotarget's Volume 15 on October 1, 2024, entitled, "Molecular chaperones: Guardians of tumor suppressor stability and function."

16 Oct 2024

Epigenomic dynamics shape human brain development and neuropsychiatric disorder risks

Researchers investigate chromatin conformational and epigenomic reorganization during the development of the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus.

14 Oct 2024

Discovery of USP50 protein sheds light on DNA replication processes

A protein that is involved in determining which enzymes cut or unwind DNA during the replication process has been identified in a new study.

14 Oct 2024

Computational tools unlock the secrets of the genome

In collaboration with the International Conference on Research in Computational Molecular Biology (RECOMB), Genome Research publishes a collection of 20 computational methods and their applications in genomics including spatial, single-cell, and long-read sequencing.

13 Oct 2024

New insights into stem cell control in plant meristems

Researchers from the University of Freiburg have identified the HAN molecule as an important regulator that controls plant growth in conjunction with WOX5.

12 Oct 2024

Unique protein complex found to influence brain function and anxiety

Scientists at Université de Montréal and its affiliated Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) have uncovered unique roles for a protein complex in the structural organization and function of brain cell connectivity, as well as in specific cognitive behaviors.

12 Oct 2024

Researchers uncover mechanism of protein GBP1 in immune defense

The protein GBP1 is a vital component of our body's natural defence against pathogens. This substance fights against bacteria and parasites by enveloping them in a protein coat, but how the substance manages to do this has remained unknown until now.

12 Oct 2024