Molecular & Structural Biology

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Scientists uncover hidden estrogen receptors in epithelial breast cells

Estrogens are hormones that play central roles in the development and the physiology of the breast, but also are involved in breast cancer. Like all hormones, estrogens exert their biological effects by binding to dedicated receptors in the target cell.

9 Nov 2018

Cells retain memory of chemical signals to which they are exposed

We all start out as a clump of identical cells. As these cells divide and multiply, they gradually take on distinct identities, acquiring the traits necessary to form, for instance, muscle tissue, bone, or nerves. A recent study from Rockefeller scientists offers new insight into how these cellular identities are cultivated over the course of development.

9 Nov 2018

Researchers develop powerful method to solve structures of small molecules

Small molecules -- from naturally occurring metabolites and hormones to synthetic medicines and pesticides -- can have big effects on living things. But for scientists to understand how the molecules work and how to design beneficial ones, they need to know the precise arrangement of atoms and chemical bonds.

9 Nov 2018

Salk researchers solve genetic 'whodunnit' for cancer gene

Long thought to suppress cancer by slowing cellular metabolism, the protein complex AMPK also seemed to help some tumors grow, confounding researchers. Now, Salk Institute researchers have solved the long-standing mystery around why AMPK can both hinder and help cancer.

8 Nov 2018

Scientists move closer to gonorrhea vaccine after large-scale proteomic study

In a study of proteins historic in its scope, researchers at Oregon State University have pushed closer both to a vaccine for gonorrhea and toward understanding why the bacteria that cause the disease are so good at fending off antimicrobial drugs.

8 Nov 2018

Scientists grow 3D, beating human heart tissue

Researchers at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf have found a way to grow human heart tissue that can serve as a model for the atria of the heart.

8 Nov 2018

Small molecules designed to inhibit activity of enzymes in infectious diseases

A multidisciplinary study by the Computer Biochemistry Research Group of the Universitat Jaume I from Castellón, Spain, in collaboration with groups from universities from Canada and the United Kingdom, have designed small molecules that are able to bond with and inhibit the activity of enzymes in infectious diseases.

8 Nov 2018

New research to understand fundamental role of ubiquitin in cell death or survival

An effective regulation of programmed cell death is crucial for the correct development of embryos, a working innate immune system, and the prevention of cancer. How cells control the switch between cell survival and death, and which signaling pathways are involved, remain unclear.

8 Nov 2018

Mutant p53 protein 'tackles' DNA guardian to drive tumor development

Melbourne scientists have discovered how tumor development is driven by mutations in the most important gene in preventing cancer, p53.

7 Nov 2018

Tracking down microRNA candidates linked to disease

What started as Ninad Oak's side project turned out into something much larger, his doctorate thesis. "The project started as my qualifying exam that I proposed at the end of my first year of graduate school," said Oak, a graduate student in molecular and human genetics in Dr. Sharon E. Plon's lab. "This was an off topic qualifying exam at the time, meaning the lab had not worked on this topic before."

7 Nov 2018

Scientists discover new details about UHRF1 protein

Epigenetic changes often play an important role in cancer, because they cause the genetic material to be read incorrectly at certain locations. Genes that are especially critical are those that control the growth and death of cells.

7 Nov 2018

Scientists investigate how broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy affects interaction of gut bacteria

The human gut is teeming with billions of beneficial bacteria. Therapies that use antibiotics often destroy most of them.

7 Nov 2018

VTT, Dyadic to present data highlighting achievements in development of fungal production platform

VTT and Dyadic International, Inc., today announced that VTT scientists will present the excellent results in their collaboration over the past two years at two international conferences: AAPS PharmSci on November 7th in Washington DC and PEGS Europe on November 14th in Lisbon.

5 Nov 2018

Molecular virologist uses basic science to fight influenza

Molecular virologist Chad Petit, Ph.D., uses basic science to fight influenza -- through experiments at the atomic level.

3 Nov 2018

UCV researchers discover the influence of exosomes on age-related macular degeneration

Researchers of the Neurobiology and Neurophysiology team of the Medicine Faculty at Valencia Catholic University, headed by Jorge Bacia, have discovered that exosomes - microscopic extracellular vesicles that are released by all cells - from the retinal pigment epithelium lead to cases of neovascularization, a finding which could be closely related to similar processes in age-related macular degeneration.

2 Nov 2018

Scientists decode the longest ever continuous DNA sequence

Scientists have decoded the longest continuous DNA sequence to date, measuring around 10,000 times longer than normal sequencing reads.

1 Nov 2018

Study outlines how gut bacteria may influence behavior, including movement

A new study puts a fresh spin on what it means to "go with your gut." The findings, published in Nature, suggest that gut bacteria may control movement in fruit flies and identify the neurons involved in this response.

1 Nov 2018

Researchers identify active stem cells in “resting zone” of cartilage

Researchers have discovered active chondrocytes within cartilage. The finding could help scientists understand bone abnormalities.

31 Oct 2018

Researchers discover how protein pair regulates cellular calcium signals

All mammalian cells need a ready supply of calcium ions to execute functions as diverse as neurotransmission, muscle contraction, hormone release, or immune responses. So fundamental is this requirement that cells protect themselves from disaster by storing calcium in a network of intracellular cisterns called the endoplasmic reticulum, or ER.

31 Oct 2018

Texas A&M study identifies new brain region involved in inhibiting fear

A study conducted at Texas A&M University has identified a new area in the brain involved in inhibiting fear, a discovery that holds potential for clinical interventions in patients with psychiatric diseases such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

31 Oct 2018