Molecular & Structural Biology

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Scientists visualize diabetes-related proteins at high resolution

Scientists have examined a key receptor for the first time at high resolution - broadening understanding of how it might function, and opening the door to future improvements in treating conditions such as type 2 diabetes.

24 Jan 2020

Scientists discover why the cells need acidic lysosomes

Just like the body contains lungs, liver, and lymph nodes, so does each of the body's cells contain tiny specialized organs. Perhaps most peculiar among them are lysosomes--bubble-like sacks that act as part recycling bin, part stomach.

23 Jan 2020

Study reveals presence of functional extracellular mitochondria in the bloodstream

Mitochondria are organelles that are found in the eukaryotic cells. A place of cellular respiration, they are the cells' "batteries" and play a major role in energy metabolism and intercellular communication.

23 Jan 2020

Researchers grow venom-producing snake organoids in the lab

Researchers from the group of Hans Clevers at the Hubrecht Institute, in an international collaboration, have developed a method to grow snake venom gland cells as organoids.

23 Jan 2020

Study uncovers how common stomach bacterium maintains its corkscrew-like shape

A new study shows how a common stomach bacterium is able to keep its corkscrew-like shape as it grows. Disrupting the shape could point the way for future, more-specialized antibiotics that prevent the bacterium from being harmful.

23 Jan 2020

New study gives hope for potentially developing a cure for HIV

HIV latency is considered one of the biggest challenges to developing a cure for the virus.

23 Jan 2020

New discovery changes the understanding of gene expression

A group of University of Chicago scientists has uncovered a previously unknown way that our genes are made into reality.

22 Jan 2020

Molecular biologists identify gene that puts brakes on tissue growth

The planarian flatworm is a simple animal with a mighty and highly unusual ability: it can regenerate itself from nearly every imaginable injury, including decapitation. These tiny worms can regrow any missing cell or tissue -- muscle, neurons, epidermis, eyes, even a new brain.

22 Jan 2020

Researchers discover how bacterial pathogens switch into attack mode

Many bacterial pathogens excrete toxins as soon as they have entered the host in order to suppress its immune response.

21 Jan 2020

New technology systematically identifies drug targets in living animals

Developing new medicines and understanding how they target specific organs often gives a crucial advantage in the fight against human diseases.

21 Jan 2020

Refining pathological classification of breast cancer using multiplexed imaging

Breast cancer progression can vary significantly between patients. Even within the same tumor, different areas may be composed of different types of cells and characterized by different tumor structures.

20 Jan 2020

Researchers discover new regions of non-coding DNA that may lead to cancer growth

In an unprecedented pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes, researchers at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research have discovered new regions of non-coding DNA that, when altered, may lead to cancer growth and progression.

17 Jan 2020

Editor's Pick: Life Science Interviews from 2019

In this article, our editors look back at their favorite life science interviews from 2019.

17 Jan 2020

Molecular-level understanding of drug interactions could pave way for better malaria treatments

The process of crystallization is central to drug development, petrochemical processing and other industrial actions, but scientists say they still are learning about the complex interactions involved in the building and dissolution of crystals.

16 Jan 2020

Cell adhesion essential for cells to survive stress

Cell-to-cell contacts are necessary for the survival of human cells under protein-damaging conditions and stress.

16 Jan 2020

Research shows how the body tries to eliminate egg cells of poorest quality

A woman's supply of eggs is finite, so it is crucial that the quality of their genetic material is ensured. New work from Carnegie's Marla Tharp, Safia Malki, and Alex Bortvin elucidates a mechanism by which, even before birth, the body tries to eliminate egg cells of the poorest quality.

16 Jan 2020

Study shows how extracellular vesicles help melanoma cells to spread

A new study from Finland sheds fresh light on how melanoma cells interact with other cells via extracellular vesicles they secrete.

16 Jan 2020

MDI Biological Laboratory will use African turquoise killifish model to study aging

The study of therapies and interventions to expand healthy human lifespan has been limited by a lack of animal models: traditional vertebrate models such as the mouse live too long to get rapid results, while the most popular model, a roundworm called C.elegans that lives for only three weeks, is rungs away from humans on the evolutionary ladder.

16 Jan 2020