Molecular & Structural Biology

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Form drives function in cancer proliferation, UTSW study finds

A new study finds that the protein responsible for the crawling movements of cells also drives the ability of cancer cells to grow when under stress.

6 May 2019

New dataset will help researchers better understand how the brain processes images

Neuroscientists and computer vision scientists say a new dataset of unprecedented size -- comprising brain scans of four volunteers who each viewed 5,000 images -- will help researchers better understand how the brain processes images.

6 May 2019

MIT researchers develop novel method for analyzing massive cell datasets

Data-sampling method makes "sketches" of unwieldy biological datasets while still capturing the full diversity of cell types.

3 May 2019

Discovery of small-molecule inhibitors could enable precise control over CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing

The discovery of the first small-molecule inhibitors of the Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 (SpCas9) protein could enable more precise control over CRISPR-Cas9-based genome editing, researchers report May 2 in the journal Cell.

3 May 2019

Scientists describe how cells 'decide' between pluripotency and differentiation

Induced pluripotent stem cells can turn into any type of cell in the body or remain in their original form. In the current edition of Molecular Cell, scientists from the Helmholtz Zentrum München describe how cells “decide” which of these two directions to take.

3 May 2019

Cornell University study uncovers relationship between starch digestion gene and gut bacteria

A newly discovered relationship between genetic variation and the gut microbiome could help nutritionists personalize their recommendations.

2 May 2019

New research uncovers how superbug evades the immune system to cause infection

New research led by the University of Sheffield has discovered how a hospital superbug evades the immune system to cause infection - paving the way for new treatments.

30 Apr 2019

Will gene-editing of human embryos ever be justifiable?

World-leading medical ethicist Professor Arthur Caplan has published a series of recommendations with the aim of addressing worldwide concerns over gene editing of human embryos.

30 Apr 2019

Researchers gain new insight into Alzheimer's using organoids that resemble mini brains

In the majority of cases, dementia can be traced back to Alzheimer's disease. Its causes are not really understood yet. What is known is that plaques form from misfolded proteins and that there is an increase in neuronal cell death levels in the brain. However, the plaques don't necessarily go hand in hand with any symptoms.

30 Apr 2019

Parasitoid wasps zombify spiders by hacking web-spinning mechanisms

Setting off a startling chain of events, a parasitoid wasp can force a spider to weave a special web to suspend the wasp pupa just before it finishes killing its spider host.

30 Apr 2019

Researchers use structural biology techniques to understand how lipids bind proteins

Normal cells have a complex system of checks and balances that regulate cell division.

30 Apr 2019

How proteins in outer membrane of bacteria stick to and populate in human body

The discovery, published today in Nature Communications by researchers from La Trobe University and the University of Queensland, provides details on how proteins in the outer membrane of bacteria - the bacteria's 'superglue' - are able to stick to and populate parts of the human body.

30 Apr 2019

Study describes new viral molecular evasion mechanism used by cytomegalovirus

A study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens describes a new viral molecular evasion mechanism used by cytomegalovirus to interfere in the immune response of the infected host.

30 Apr 2019

Cannabis, Alcohol and the Epigenome

With the legalization of cannabis in many US states, we explore the epigenetic effects of cannabis, cannabis-derived products, and alcohol.

29 Apr 2019

TET proteins help regulate gene activity vital for normal antibody production

A family of cancer suppressive proteins, known as TET proteins, help regulate gene activity via their influence on chromosomal architecture. However, until now it wasn't entirely clear how genes were activated by TET proteins to make sure that cells perform their normal functions efficiently.

27 Apr 2019

Scientists aim to unlock the secrets of heart cells

The human heart appears to be pure physics: valves open and close, blood flows through the heart’s chambers, electrical impulses regulate the heartbeat.

26 Apr 2019

Scientists develop maps of two melatonin receptors vital for sleep, other biological processes

An international team of researchers used an X-ray laser at the Department of Energy’s SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to create the first detailed maps of two melatonin receptors that tell our bodies when to go to sleep or wake up and guide other biological processes.

26 Apr 2019

Biologists unravel new role for nervous system in regeneration

Biologists at Tufts University have developed a computational model of planarian (flatworm) regeneration that explains how fragments of planaria determine which end should form a tail and which should form a head.

25 Apr 2019

New genetic test identifies many disease-causing gene variations in high-risk populations

Researchers at Nemours Children's Health System have developed a new low-cost genetic test that accurately identified more than 200 known disease-causing gene variations in two high-risk populations, the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.

25 Apr 2019

First extensive analysis of proteins in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The most common form of childhood cancer is acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden, in cooperation with Karolinska Institutet, SciLifeLab and the University of Cambridge, have now carried out the most extensive analysis to date of ALL at the protein level, by studying the activity in over 8 000 genes and proteins.

25 Apr 2019

Molecular & Structural Biology

Form drives function in cancer proliferation, UTSW study finds

New dataset will help researchers better understand how the brain processes images

MIT researchers develop novel method for analyzing massive cell datasets

Discovery of small-molecule inhibitors could enable precise control over CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing

Scientists describe how cells 'decide' between pluripotency and differentiation

Cornell University study uncovers relationship between starch digestion gene and gut bacteria

New research uncovers how superbug evades the immune system to cause infection

Will gene-editing of human embryos ever be justifiable?

Researchers gain new insight into Alzheimer's using organoids that resemble mini brains

Parasitoid wasps zombify spiders by hacking web-spinning mechanisms

Researchers use structural biology techniques to understand how lipids bind proteins

How proteins in outer membrane of bacteria stick to and populate in human body

Study describes new viral molecular evasion mechanism used by cytomegalovirus

Cannabis, Alcohol and the Epigenome

TET proteins help regulate gene activity vital for normal antibody production

Scientists aim to unlock the secrets of heart cells

Scientists develop maps of two melatonin receptors vital for sleep, other biological processes

Biologists unravel new role for nervous system in regeneration

New genetic test identifies many disease-causing gene variations in high-risk populations

First extensive analysis of proteins in patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

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