Molecular & Structural Biology

RSS

HDL proteome behaves like a tiny Velcro ball that is rolling on surfaces

Cholesterol carried in high-density lipoprotein particles, or HDL cholesterol, has been dubbed the good cholesterol, because people whose HDL levels are high have a lower risk of developing heart disease. That link was first established in 1977 and has been confirmed over and over in epidemiological studies.

15 Feb 2019

Researchers study animal venoms to identify new medicines for treating diseases

Animal venoms are the subject of study at research center based at the Butantan Institute in São Paulo. But in this case, the idea is not to find antidotes, but rather to use the properties of the venoms themselves to identify molecular targets of diseases and, armed with that knowledge, develop new compounds that can be used as medicines.

15 Feb 2019

Researchers use optogenetic tool to control, visualize receptor signals in neural cells

Using a novel optogenetic tool, researchers have successfully controlled, reproduced and visualized serotonin receptor signals in neural cells. To this end, they modified a photosensitive membrane receptor in the eye, namely melanopsin.

15 Feb 2019

Whole-genome sequencing and sharing real-time data could limit spread of foodborne bacteria

Employing advanced genetic-tracing techniques and sharing the data produced in real time could limit the spread of bacteria -- Bacillus cereus -- which cause foodborne illness, according to researchers who implemented whole-genome sequencing of a pathogen-outbreak investigation.

14 Feb 2019

New method detects potentially disease-causing forms of proteins using fluorescence

A new method uses fluorescence to detect potentially disease-causing forms of proteins as they unravel due to stress or mutations.

14 Feb 2019

Novel approach uses small amounts of tissue to quantify PD-L1 expression levels in tumors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors, such as the anti-PD-1 antibody pembrolizumab, have become important tools for managing non-small-cell lung cancer.

14 Feb 2019

Abnormal timing found in the brains of people with autistic symptoms

The neural 'time windows' in certain small brain areas contribute to the complex cognitive symptoms of autism, new research suggests.

13 Feb 2019

Cell membrane complexes may be new target for drugs to kill cancer cells

Old molecules and new complexes: researchers at Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina have discovered cell membrane complexes called ceramidosomes that may be a new target for drugs to kill cancer cells.

13 Feb 2019

Mountain chickadee research shows link between natural selection and spatial memory

Chickadees with better learning and memory skills, needed to find numerous food caches, are more likely to survive their first winter, a long-term study of mountain chickadees has found.

13 Feb 2019

New study provides insights into developmental organization of the brain

What makes us human, and where does this mysterious property of "humanness" come from? Humans are genetically similar to chimpanzees and bonobos, yet there exist obvious behavioral and cognitive differences.

13 Feb 2019

Marine snail venom reveals clues to developing faster-acting insulin for diabetic patients

Although moderately mobile, marine cone snails have perfected several strategies to capture prey. Some fish-hunting species release venom into the surrounding water.

12 Feb 2019

Lactate activates multiple genes that modulate neuronal activity

A genome-wide study led by Dean Pierre Magistretti sheds light on the mechanisms through which lactate regulates long-term memory formation and neuroprotection.

12 Feb 2019

Scientists uncover main mechanisms of fluconazole drug resistance

The yeast Candida albicans occurs in most healthy people as a harmless colonizer in the digestive tract. However, it can also cause life-threatening infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.

11 Feb 2019

Researchers identify genes that make Staphyloccocus bacteria resistant to treatment

A Rutgers-led team has discovered two genes that make some strains of harmful Staphyloccocus bacteria resistant to treatment by copper, a potent and frequently used antibacterial agent.

11 Feb 2019

When genomic sequencing fails to diagnose a rare disease

Routine sequencing has given unprecedented insight into the genetics of rare diseases, but genomics fails to diagnose up to half of patients who are tested. That's the problem German scientists tackled in a recent study in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics.

11 Feb 2019

Novel protein sensor allows researchers to observe nicotine's movements in cells

When a person takes a puff on a cigarette, nicotine floods into the brain, latching onto receptors on the surface of neurons and producing feelings of happiness. But nicotine does not simply stay on the surface of cells--the drug actually permeates into neural cells and alters them from the inside out.

8 Feb 2019

Bariatric surgery changes the way our body senses food

How bariatric surgery helps people with obesity and diabetes is related to changes in the way the gut senses food and nutrients after the operation, researchers report February 5 in the journal Cell Reports.

8 Feb 2019

IDT supports innovative synthetic biology start-ups with grant program

Integrated DNA Technologies’ Synthetic Biology Start-up Grant Program has once again benefited innovative start-ups in their missions to impact sustainable manufacturing, human health, and/or humanitarian causes.

From Integrated DNA Technologies 8 Feb 2019

RNAs are involved in protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, research reveals

New research reveals RNAs, which are crucial for cells to produce proteins, are also involved in protein aggregation, where proteins do not fold properly and 'clump' together into aggregates. If cells cannot clear these away, they become toxic and prevent cells working properly.

8 Feb 2019

Cloning-free Nested CRISPR uses long DNA fragments for efficient gene editing

CRISPR is a technique that is revolutionizing biomedical research through high-precision genome editing. However, even though it allows the creation or correction of mutations consisting of a single or few nucleotides with relative ease, it still possesses limitations upon introducing larger fragments of DNA in the genome.

8 Feb 2019

Molecular & Structural Biology

HDL proteome behaves like a tiny Velcro ball that is rolling on surfaces

Researchers study animal venoms to identify new medicines for treating diseases

Researchers use optogenetic tool to control, visualize receptor signals in neural cells

Whole-genome sequencing and sharing real-time data could limit spread of foodborne bacteria

New method detects potentially disease-causing forms of proteins using fluorescence

Novel approach uses small amounts of tissue to quantify PD-L1 expression levels in tumors

Abnormal timing found in the brains of people with autistic symptoms

Cell membrane complexes may be new target for drugs to kill cancer cells

Mountain chickadee research shows link between natural selection and spatial memory

New study provides insights into developmental organization of the brain

Marine snail venom reveals clues to developing faster-acting insulin for diabetic patients

Lactate activates multiple genes that modulate neuronal activity

Scientists uncover main mechanisms of fluconazole drug resistance

Researchers identify genes that make Staphyloccocus bacteria resistant to treatment

When genomic sequencing fails to diagnose a rare disease

Novel protein sensor allows researchers to observe nicotine's movements in cells

Bariatric surgery changes the way our body senses food

IDT supports innovative synthetic biology start-ups with grant program

RNAs are involved in protein aggregation and neurodegenerative diseases, research reveals

Cloning-free Nested CRISPR uses long DNA fragments for efficient gene editing

Small solutions for big problems in drug discovery and delivery

Professor Nancy Ip: Pioneering New Paths in Neurodegenerative Therapy

Utilizing process Raman in optimizing cultivated meat production

Latest Life Science News