Molecular & Structural Biology

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Insights into protein-protein interactions and methods for designing small molecule inhibitors

Proteins are polymers of amino acids that are linked by peptide bonds and they are one of the major classes of bio-molecules existing in a living organism. Proteins are involved in various cellular functions and events like cell signaling, cell adhesion, metabolic reactions, in the generation of immune response and many more.

10 Dec 2018

Researchers develop new molecular tool to decode sugar-protein attachments

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a new molecular tool they call EXoO, which decodes where on proteins specific sugars are attached--a possible modification due to disease.

6 Dec 2018

Researchers identify new type of T cell that could play role in cancer, other diseases

Researchers from the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center and the La Jolla Institute for Immunology have identified a new type of T cell called a phospholipid-reactive T cell that is able to recognize phospholipids, the molecules that help form cells' outer membranes.

6 Dec 2018

Elevated hormone flags liver disease in mice with serious genomic disorder

Researchers have discovered that a hormone, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), is extremely elevated in mice with liver disease that mimics the same condition in patients with methylmalonic acidemia (MMA), a serious genomic disorder.

6 Dec 2018

Subset of immune B cells delays onset of type 1 diabetes in animal model

Researchers have conducted a study showing that a specific subset of immune B cells delays the onset of type 1 diabetes in mice.

6 Dec 2018

Researchers achieve breakthrough in blood vessel engineering

When someone has a deadly disease or sustains a life-threatening injury, a transplant or graft of new tissue may be the best -- or only -- treatment option.

6 Dec 2018

Researchers create new light-activated tools for controlling neurons

By enabling super-fast remote control of specific cells, light-activated proteins allow researchers to study the function of individual neurons within a large network - even an entire brain. Now one of the pioneers of 'optogenetics' and colleagues have created two new tools - protein pores which when illuminated allow Ca2+ into cells or K+ out - for switching neurons on or off using light.

6 Dec 2018

Scientists identify new drug target for potential blood pressure treatment

Scientists have identified a key player in blood pressure regulation and have shown that switching it off reduces blood pressure in mice, according to new research in eLife.

6 Dec 2018

Functional ultrasound imaging can reveal brain activity maps of mice for specific behaviors

In a study published in Neuron, Emilie Macé from Botond Roska's group and collaborators demonstrate how functional ultrasound imaging can yield high-resolution, brain-wide activity maps of mice for specific behaviors.

5 Dec 2018

Researchers find evidence of epigenetics in single-celled archaea

Researchers have found evidence of epigenetics-based evolution in a species of archaea, our oldest single-cell ancestors.

5 Dec 2018

Researchers take a step forward with a study of molecules of DNA

Researchers from the Andalusian center for Molecular Biology and regenerative Medicine and from the University of Seville have taken a step forward with a study of something as essential for life as the molecules of DNA.

5 Dec 2018

From Our Bench to Yours: Antibody Advice from Proteintech

An interview with Dr. Karolina Szczesna, discussing the tell-tale signs of a good antibody and how Proteintech are working to improve experimental results for scientists.

From Proteintech Group, Inc 5 Dec 2018

Cancer DNA signature will revolutionize point-of-care diagnostics

Researchers have developed a potentially game-changing new technology that could revolutionize cancer point-of-care (POC) diagnostics.

4 Dec 2018

Study shows how flies detect novel odors using a tactic similar to that of computers

It might seem like fruit flies would have nothing in common with computers, but new research from the Salk Institute reveals that the two identify novel information in similar ways.

4 Dec 2018

Brown researchers awarded $12 million NIH grant renewal to explore fundamentals of brain function

Brown University's Center for Central Nervous System Function, part of the Carney Institute for Brain Science, has been awarded a $12 million grant renewal from the National Institutes of Health's Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence program.

3 Dec 2018

Oils from garlic and other herbs show strong killing activity against Lyme disease bacteria

Oils from garlic and several other common herbs and medicinal plants show strong activity against the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, according to a study by researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

3 Dec 2018

Scientists develop nanoscale tweezers that can move freely within cells

Researchers have developed nanoscale “tweezers” that can extract cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and organelles, without causing damage or bursting the cell.

3 Dec 2018

Ancient whale from Oregon had neither teeth nor baleen, study reveals

A study reported in Current Biology on November 29 describes a 33-million-year-old fossil whale named Maiabalaena, which means "mother whale." The ancient whale from Oregon is especially remarkable in that it had neither teeth nor baleen.

3 Dec 2018

Researchers find effective new target for mood-boosting brain stimulation

Researchers have found an effective target in the brain for electrical stimulation to improve mood in people suffering from depression.

3 Dec 2018

Study uncovers how HIV DNA is blocked from entering the cell nucleus

Multiple components of the nuclear pore complex and nuclear import machinery enable a protein called human myxovirus resistance 2 (MX2) to inhibit HIV-1 infection, according to a study published November 29 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by Michael Malim of King’s College London, and colleagues.

3 Dec 2018