Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers show how proteins interact in hypoxic conditions to facilitate mitochondrial fission

During a heart attack the supply of oxygen to heart cells is decreased. This reduced oxygen level, called hypoxia, causes the cell's powerhouses, the mitochondria, to fragment, impairing cell function and leading to heart failure. Until now, few details were known on how this important process occurs.

17 Nov 2018

Researchers produce 3D chemical maps of small biological samples

Scientists at the National Synchrotron Light Source II --a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science User Facility at DOE's Brookhaven National Laboratory--have used ultrabright x-rays to image single bacteria with higher spatial resolution than ever before.

16 Nov 2018

Game-Changers in Western Blotting and Protein Analysis

An interview with Ramya Prabakaran & Melody Chang from GenScript, discussing the development of automated systems that improve outcomes for western blotting.

From GenScript 16 Nov 2018

Brain and muscle cells found within kidney organoids

Researchers have discovered the presence of rogue brain and muscle cells inside kidney organoids and used artificial intelligence to remove them.

15 Nov 2018

CRISPR-based tool shown to enhance cell-based immunotherapy

Researchers have developed a CRISPR-based tool called SLICE that can boost the effectiveness of immune cell therapies.

15 Nov 2018

Researchers succeed in building protein nanotubes from tiny scaffolds

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have succeeded in constructing protein nanotubes from tiny scaffolds made by cross-linking of engineered protein crystals.

14 Nov 2018

Speed and error rate of DNA synthesis influenced by DNA structure

The speed and error rate of DNA synthesis is influenced by the three-dimensional structure of the DNA. Using "third-generation" genome-wide DNA sequencing data, a team of researchers from Penn State and the Czech Academy of Sciences showed that sequences with the potential to form unusual DNA conformations, which are frequently associated with cancer and neurological diseases, can in fact slow down or speed up the DNA synthesis process and cause more or fewer sequencing errors.

14 Nov 2018

Biologists uncover novel genetic control of lipid maintenance and its potential connection to lifespan

Tiny microscopic worms, invisible to the naked eye, are helping scientists to better understand an extraordinarily complex biological pathway that connects fat to overall health and aging in humans.

14 Nov 2018

CityU develops first microarrayed 3D neuronal culture platform

Neuronal development is often regulated by the graded distribution of guidance molecules, which can either attract or repel the neuronal migration or neurite projection when presented in a format of concentration gradients, or chemotaxis. However, many details about the process is largely unexplored.

14 Nov 2018

Study identifies potential therapeutic strategy for patients with clear cell renal cancer

Researchers have provided new insight on the mechanisms behind the development of clear cell Renal Cell Carcinoma (ccRCC), according to new findings published in eLife.

13 Nov 2018

Neural networks could replace marker genes in RNA sequencing

Researchers have used neural networks and supervised machine learning techniques to characterize cell types following single-cell RNA sequencing.

13 Nov 2018

First bifacial molecule can invade double-stranded DNA or RNA

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have developed a synthetic molecule that can recognize and bind to double-stranded DNA or RNA under normal physiological conditions. The molecule could provide a new platform for developing methods for the diagnosis and treatment of genetic conditions.

13 Nov 2018

Gladstone scientists gain new insights into the aging brain

The protein klotho has been shown to promote longevity and counteract aging-related impairments. Having more klotho seems to allow for longer and healthier lives, whereas a depletion of this molecule accelerates aging and may contribute to age-related diseases.

12 Nov 2018

Researchers discover how mitochondria deploy a powerful punch against disease-causing bacteria

The constant battle for dominance between disease-causing bacteria and our immune systems has led to the evolution of some crafty warfare tactics on both sides.

12 Nov 2018

Kawasaki disease may be triggered by a combination of environmental factors

A new study has found that Kawasaki disease (KD) is not caused by one single factor but has multiple environmental triggers.

12 Nov 2018

Failed DNA repair triggers chromosomal chaos in cancer cells

Researchers have established the trigger for catastrophic events that occur within the chromosomes of cancer cells and lead to cancer cell death.

12 Nov 2018

MR Solutions reveals elegant bench top CT scanner with clip-on PET and SPECT

MR Solutions continues to expand its range of preclinical scanners with the first showing of its elegant bench top CT scanner.

From MR Solutions 12 Nov 2018

The Human Mini Heart-in-a-Jar That Could One Day Replace Animal Testing

An interview with Dr. Kevin Costa, discussing the miniaturized heart-in-a-jar model developed by Novoheart, and its applications in personalized medicine.

12 Nov 2018

Mitochondrial DNA may have strong influence on cellular metabolism and disease susceptibility

About 1.5 billion years ago, tiny visitors came to live inside the cells that later evolved into all plant and animal life -- including humans.

9 Nov 2018

UCI researchers accelerate and simplify directed evolution bioengineering technique

In a process known as directed evolution, scientists reengineer biomolecules to find ones that perform beneficial new functions. The field is revolutionizing drug development, chemical engineering and other applications, but to realize its promise involves painstaking and time-consuming laboratory work.

9 Nov 2018