Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers identify CLCN6 as disease gene for severe lysosomal neurodegenerative disorder

A mutation in the CLCN6 gene is associated with a novel, particularly severe neurodegenerative disorder. Scientists from the Leibniz-Forschungsinstitut für Molekulare Pharmakologie and the Max Delbrück Center für Molekulare Medizin, together with an international team of researchers, have now analyzed the effect of a point mutation that was found in three unrelated affected children.

19 Nov 2020

Around 10 SARS-CoV-2 virions per cell in human body, study finds

A new study has found that there are about ten virus particles in each cell in the body. The research team from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and the University of California in the USA estimate that each infected person carries around 109-1011 virions during peak infection.

18 Nov 2020

New molecular tool can help better understand the probability of zoonosis

The way a virus like Influenza A is transmitted from animals to humans, is still not well understood. How does the virus recognize the host cells in humans, even if the surface is different from that of animals? Researchers of the University of Twente mimicked the cell surface on a molecular scale, including the sugars to which the virus attaches.

17 Nov 2020

Manipulating mitochondria to improve the efficiency of neuronal reprogramming

The replacement of lost neurons is a holy grail for neuroscience. A new promising approach is the conversion of glial cells into new neurons. Improving the efficiency of this conversion or reprogramming after brain injury is an important step towards developing reliable regenerative medicine therapies.

17 Nov 2020

UV light induces new types of DNA damage that may cause malignant melanoma

Studies conducted in yeast show that exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) induces new types of DNA damage that may cause the deadliest form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma.

17 Nov 2020

Several hepatitis C drugs can inhibit crucial protein in SARS-CoV-2

Experiments led by researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have determined that several hepatitis C drugs can inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 main protease, a crucial protein enzyme that enables the novel coronavirus to reproduce.

17 Nov 2020

New mechanism controlling brain size discovered

Under the leadership of Professor Lars Allan Larsen and Professor Søren Tvorup Christensen at University of Copenhagen, Denmark, an international research team has taken an important step forward in understanding the complex mechanisms that control development of the so-called cerebral cortex, which is the part of the brain that play a key role in attention, perception, awareness, thought, memory, language, and consciousness.

16 Nov 2020

CMU researchers develop new technique for isolating brain cells associated with Parkinson's disease

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have developed a new technique for isolating a type of brain cell associated with Parkinson's disease symptoms, enabling them to study that cell type in detail.

16 Nov 2020

Researchers identify key source of signals encoding past experiences in the brain

Researchers identify a region of the brain as a key source of signals encoding past experiences in the neocortex.

16 Nov 2020

Research provides insight into how Alzheimer’s plaques form

We are beginning to better understand how 'amyloid-β' protein plaques form, which are implicated in degenerative brain diseases including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

16 Nov 2020

MIT researchers unravel the molecular structure of key coronavirus protein

MIT chemists have determined the molecular structure of a protein found in the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This protein, called the envelope protein E, forms a cation-selective channel and plays a key role in the virus's ability to replicate itself and stimulate the host cell's inflammation response.

12 Nov 2020

Neuroscientists identify astrocytes as master 'conductors' of the brain

In the orchestra of the brain, the firing of each neuron is controlled by two notes--excitatory and inhibitory-- that come from two distinct forms of a cellular structure called synapses.

12 Nov 2020

Researchers discover a mechanism that cells use to degrade microRNAs

UT Southwestern researchers have discovered a mechanism that cells use to degrade microRNAs (miRNAs), genetic molecules that regulate the amounts of proteins in cells.

12 Nov 2020

New study challenges the common understanding of how mammalian brains work

A study by scientists at the University of Sussex is challenging the common understanding of how mammalian brains work.

12 Nov 2020

Biologists investigate how molecular chaperones dissolve protein aggregates linked to Parkinson's

In many neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson's, protein aggregates form in the brain and are assumed to contribute to neuronal cell death.

11 Nov 2020

Uracil point mutations found in SARS-CoV-2 variants alter innate immune responses

Tohoku University scientists have found that human editing enzymes are likely behind a type of mutation in the COVID-19 virus that stimulates the release of pro-inflammatory molecules called cytokines by immune cells in the body.

11 Nov 2020

SARS-CoV-2 RNA genome structure reveals potential targets for development of drugs

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus RNA genome structure was studied in detail by researchers from the University of Groningen, the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, and Leiden University.

10 Nov 2020

Researchers discover unique anti-cancer function for previously well-characterized protein

The development and progression of cancer is a complicated process that occurs when cells in the body grow out of control. Many different mechanisms and pathways that directly affect cell proliferation have been uncovered.

10 Nov 2020

Research uncovers key to piercing dangerous bacteria's armor

Bacteria are single-celled organisms that are essential to human health, both in our environment and inside our own bodies. However, certain bacterial species can make us sick.

9 Nov 2020

Consumption of tree nuts impacts sperm DNA methylation

Many environmental and lifestyle factors have been implicated in the decline of sperm quality, with diet being one of the most plausible factors identified in recent years.

9 Nov 2020