Molecular & Structural Biology

RSS

Scientific discovery may lead to a treatment for lupus

A team of scientists has uncovered the structure of a regulatory complex that is involved in the release of cytokines and can be inhibited to treat lupus.

31 May 2019

African rodents immune to pain caused by wasabi

A new report in Science provides the first evidence of a mammal - the highveld mole-rat - being immune to pain from exposure to allyl isothiocyanate, or AITC, the active ingredient of wasabi.

31 May 2019

New studies from UCI shine light on circadian clocks

Can your liver sense when you're staring at a television screen or cellphone late at night? Apparently so, and when such activity is detected, the organ can throw your circadian rhythms out of whack, leaving you more susceptible to health problems.

30 May 2019

Newly discovered mechanism of enzyme links circadian clock and fat metabolism

The enzyme Nocturnin, which governs daily tasks such as fat metabolism and energy usage, works in an entirely different way than previously thought, reported a team of researchers at Princeton University.

30 May 2019

Researchers find new molecular targets for fighting autoimmunity

BRCA--the family of DNA-repair proteins associated with breast, ovarian prostate, and pancreatic cancers--interacts with a multipart, molecular complex that is also responsible for regulating the immune system.

30 May 2019

UC Santa Cruz researchers determine structure of a 'master switch' for cell division

Unregulated cell division is a hallmark of cancer, and one of the key proteins involved in controlling cell division is called FoxM1.

29 May 2019

Scientists unmask stem cell identity using gene-sequencing technology

Scientists from The University of Queensland's Diamantina Institute have revealed the difference between a stem cell and other blood vessel cells using gene-sequencing technology.

29 May 2019

Research could lead to new treatments for people with autoimmune disorders

The immune system is programmed to rid the body of biological bad guys--like viruses and dangerous bacteria--but its precision isn't guaranteed. In the tens of millions of Americans suffering from autoimmune diseases, the system mistakes normal cells for malicious invaders, prompting the body to engage in self-destructive behavior.

29 May 2019

Lugdunin in the human nose has strong antimicrobial properties against S. aureus

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are an increasing health threat, making new antibiotics essential. German researchers have recently had a breakthrough: they discovered lugdunin in the human nose--a new kind of cyclic peptide that comes from the bacterium Staphylococcus lugdunensis and has strong antimicrobial properties against Staphylococcus aureus, among others.

29 May 2019

Epigenetic research provides new approaches to cancer combination therapies

Epigenetic processes enable cells to respond to changes in their environment by regulating the activity of their genes.

28 May 2019

Researchers discover unexpected survival mechanism of a subset of cancer cells

Embedded at the end of chromosomes are structures called "telomeres" that in normal cells become shorter as cells divide. As the shortening progresses it triggers cell proliferation arrest or death. Cancer cells adopt different strategies to overcome this control mechanism that keeps track of the number of times that a cell has divided.

28 May 2019

Researchers get one step closer to global Strep A vaccine

The search for a global Strep A vaccine has narrowed after researchers sequenced the DNA of more than 2000 Group A Streptococcus samples from around the world.

27 May 2019

Mutations in 'junk' DNA can cause autism, study shows

Leveraging artificial intelligence techniques, researchers have demonstrated that mutations in so-called 'junk' DNA can cause autism.

27 May 2019

Research into structure of anticoagulant protein may open new avenues for treatment of thrombosis

A collaboration between researchers from Brazil and the United States may open new avenues for the treatment of thrombosis, the leading cause of death among cancer patients.

27 May 2019

Investigating RNA-based regulation of the cardiovascular system

Goethe University and TU Munich have jointly obtained a new Collaborative Research Centre (Sonderforschungsbereich - SFB), which will receive approximately € 11 million in funding from the German Research Foundation over the next four years.

27 May 2019

Researchers discover new function of ribosomes in human cells

Researchers from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research have discovered a new function of ribosomes in human cells that may show the protein-making particle's role in destroying healthy mRNAs, the messages that decode DNA into protein.

26 May 2019

University of Freiburg to receive 25.8 million euros for collaborative research centers

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft has approved grant applications for two collaborative research centers at the University of Freiburg: one for continued grant funding, and one for initial grant funding.

24 May 2019

Are fruit fly 'avatars' the next step in personalized medicine?

Researchers have created fruit fly “avatars” that have helped to guide treatment for a man who had terminal colon cancer.

24 May 2019

Scientist studies people with Cockayne syndrome, who don’t get cancer

Hua-Ying Fan, PhD, studies the cells of people who don't get cancer. These people have an inherited disorder called Cockayne syndrome and, unfortunately, they don't live long enough to develop cancer. But by studying their cells, Fan may be able to help them and help people with cancer, too.

24 May 2019

Rutgers-led study pinpoints key gene linked to impaired memory in Down syndrome

Targeting a key gene before birth could someday help lead to a treatment for Down syndrome by reversing abnormal embryonic brain development and improving cognitive function after birth, according to a Rutgers-led study.

24 May 2019