Molecular & Structural Biology

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New understanding in the evolution of human feet

Scientists have made a step forward in understanding the evolution of human feet.

14 Jan 2019

Scientists identify endogenous activator of sigma-1 receptors in human cells

Cells communicate through complex mechanisms that typically involve receptors and ligands that bind to them. Endogenous ligands, produced by the body, have been identified for the vast majority of cellular receptors, helping explain receptor existence and function. But in the case of sigma-1 receptors, which interact with a diverse array of psychoactive drugs, an endogenous ligand has remained elusive.

14 Jan 2019

Molecular hallmarks of tumor hypoxia across 19 cancer types discovered

Unlike healthy tissues, tumors thrive in low-oxygen environments, often acquiring the ability to resist treatment and spread to other sites in the body. Despite being a well-known cause of therapy resistance and metastasis, the impact of low oxygen, known as hypoxia, on tumor cells is poorly understood.

14 Jan 2019

Plan your Pittcon 2019 with the mobile app

The Pittcon marketing department is excited to announce the release of its official conference and exposition mobile app, Pittcon 2019.

From Pittcon 14 Jan 2019

Scientists discover mutational signatures of tumor hypoxia

Researchers have discovered mutational signatures of tumor hypoxia in 19 cancer types that could be used to identify patients who need higher treatment doses.

14 Jan 2019

Conducting ChIP-Seq with Low Cell Numbers

An interview with Dr. Kathyrn Cunningham at SfN 2018, providing advice on carrying out Chromatin Immunoprecipitation Sequencing (ChIP-seq) with low cell numbers.

From Active Motif 14 Jan 2019

CRISPR-Cas9 circular permutants can sense and respond to viral proteases

Using a technique called circular permutation, researchers at the University of California Berkeley have created a new suite of Cas9 variants called Cas9-CPs, which will simplify design of Cas9-fusion proteins for diverse applications beyond simple DNA cutting, such as base editing and epigenetic modifications.

11 Jan 2019

New method modifies blood stem cells to reverse genetic mutation that causes IPEX

UCLA researchers led by Dr. Donald Kohn have created a method for modifying blood stem cells to reverse the genetic mutation that causes a life-threatening autoimmune syndrome called IPEX.

11 Jan 2019

Defective astrocytes linked to alpha-synuclein accumulation in Parkinson's

Researchers have found that defects in brain glial cells called astrocytes are linked to the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in Parkinson's disease.

10 Jan 2019

Researchers identify promising therapeutic option to treat multiple sclerosis

Researchers at the Medical Center of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) identified an innovative and promising therapeutic option to treat multiple sclerosis.

10 Jan 2019

Unusual molecular regulatory mechanism discovered in unicellular parasites

Researchers of the University of Bern have discovered a new molecular regulatory mechanism in unicellular parasites which has never before been observed.

10 Jan 2019

High-performing MS device reaches new level in characterizing protein impurities

In response to current regulatory guidance a Mass Spectrometry-based Host Cell Protein detection approach with faster, more accurate and wider-ranging detection is essential.

10 Jan 2019

Study explains why some drugs work well in ameliorating side effects of chemotherapy

Researchers at the University of Zurich have determined the three-dimensional structure of the receptor that causes nausea and vomiting as a result of cancer chemotherapy.

10 Jan 2019

University of Cincinnati professor awarded $1.6 million NIAID grant to study Hamburger E. coli

Alison Weiss, PhD, professor in the Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry and Microbiology in UC College of Medicine, has been awarded a four-year grant of $1.6 million from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to study Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli 0157:H7, also sometimes referred to as Hamburger E. coli.

9 Jan 2019

Stick insect study reveals importance of small limbs' passive muscle force for swift movements

Long, heavy limbs such as arms or legs differ fundamentally from short, light limbs such as fingers in their ability to execute fast movements. While the central nervous system has to actively control fast movements of large limbs, passive muscle force can suffice for the movement velocity and movement amplitude of small and light limbs.

9 Jan 2019

Protein discovery could lead to mosquito "birth control"

Researchers have discovered a way of preventing mosquito eggs from hatching, paving the way for drugs that could serve as “birth control” within mosquito populations.

9 Jan 2019

New mechanism of gene regulation involved in tumor progression discovered

Genes contain all the information needed for the functioning of cells, tissues, and organs in our body. Gene expression, meaning when and how are the genes being read and executed, is thoroughly regulated like an assembly line with several things happening one after another.

9 Jan 2019

Study offers new insight on mechanism underlying control of gene expression

Researchers have provided new insight on the mechanism underlying the control of gene expression in all living organisms, according to a study published today in eLife.

8 Jan 2019

Scientists explore bacterial immunity to better understand infectious disease

Patients with cystic fibrosis are often infected by pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium that infects the lungs and prevents breathing, often causing death.

8 Jan 2019

New molecular engineering method improves precision of biomarker analysis

Researchers from the University of Helsinki in cooperation with the University of Tartu, Competence Centre on Health Technologies from Estonia, and the Karolinska Institute, published an article in Nature's partner journal Genomic Medicine in which they present Targeted Allele Counting by sequencing along with several of its potential applications.

8 Jan 2019