Molecular & Structural Biology

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New tool can help researchers split and reassemble proteins

Researchers have developed a computational tool that makes it possible to split proteins and then restore them to functionality.

2 Oct 2018

Immune protein 'flutters' like a butterfly in search of viruses, finds study

Researchers at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School have identified an important step in the process that allows our bodies to fight viruses.

2 Oct 2018

'Kidney-gene' plays role in the central nervous system and controls movement

The WT1 gene fulfills a central role in the development of a healthy, proper functioning kidney. Mutations in WT1 lead to impairments in kidney development and cause Wilms tumors, a pediatric kidney cancer.

1 Oct 2018

Researchers create photoswitchable fluorescent proteins with optical properties

Researchers developed fluorescent proteins that can be controlled by orange and green light. These proteins will help to study processes in living cells. The work was supported by Russian Science Foundation grant, and the results were published in Nature Methods.

28 Sep 2018

Engineering organoids from stem cells to model retina diseases

Gray Camp joined the Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel as Group Leader in Single Cell Genomics. His group will combine single-cell genomic tools and retina and cerebral "organoids" to explore the development of the human visual system.

28 Sep 2018

Researchers develop new mathematical technique to study brain waves

A U.S. Army Research Laboratory scientist has collaborated with a team of researchers from the University of North Texas to develop a new data processing technique that uses electroencephalogram, or EEG, time series variability as a measure of the state of the brain.

27 Sep 2018

Not all P53 mutations cause skin cancer

Today, scientists have explained for the first time why not all UV-induced, P53 mutated skin cells develop into cancer.

27 Sep 2018

Researchers uncover molecular underpinnings of liver regeneration

In Greek mythology, Zeus punishes the trickster Prometheus by chaining him to a rock and sending an eagle to eat a portion of his liver every day, in perpetuity. It was the right organ to target - the liver has the ability to regenerate itself, though not overnight nor for eternity.

27 Sep 2018

Drosophila study shows chromosomal instability promotes invasive behavior in human tumors

Metastatic tumors are characterized by a high degree of chromosomal instability--that is to say a constant change in the number and structure of chromosomes they hold. In spite of this observation, it is unknown whether chromosomal instability contributes to the metastatic process.

26 Sep 2018

Research reveals three-dimensional structure of membrane channel that controls blood pressure

New research for the first time reveals the three-dimensional structure of a membrane channel that's critical in controlling blood pressure.

26 Sep 2018

Researchers find molecule that halts, reverts neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson's disease

The small SynuClean-D molecule interrupts the formation of the alpha-synuclein amyloid fibers responsible for the onset of Parkinson's disease, and reverts the neurodegeneration caused by the disease.

25 Sep 2018

New research provides insight into the way human brain connects episodic memories to solve problems

Humans have the ability to creatively combine their memories to solve problems and draw new insights, a process that depends on memories for specific events known as episodic memory.

24 Sep 2018

Scientists discover and characterize human skeletal stem cells

Human skeletal stem cells that become bone, cartilage, or stroma cells have been isolated from fetal and adult bones. This is the first time that skeletal stem cells, which had been observed in rodent models, have been identified in humans.

24 Sep 2018

Researchers propose mechanism by which ASTN2 protein defects lead to brain disorders

In the brain, as in business, connections are everything. To maintain cellular associates, the outer surface of a neuron, its membrane, must express particular proteins--proverbial hands that reach out and greet nearby cells. And, like a creepily long handshake, surface molecules can overstay their welcome: A protein that lingers too long on the membrane may compromise the connections, or synapses, between cells.

24 Sep 2018

Salk Institute researchers uncover molecular structure of RNA-based CRISPR system

Over the past several years, CRISPR-Cas9 has moved beyond the lab bench and into the public zeitgeist. This gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 holds promise for correcting defects inside individual cells and potentially healing or preventing many human ailments.

20 Sep 2018

Body organs undergo structural changes in response to diet

Body organs such as the intestine and ovaries undergo structural changes in response to dietary nutrients that can have lasting impacts on metabolism, as well as cancer susceptibility, according to Carnegie's Rebecca Obniski, Matthew Sieber, and Allan Spradling.

20 Sep 2018

Sea squirt model reveals key molecules in dopaminergic neuron differentiation

The human brain is exceedingly complex, consisting of various regions with particular functions and approximately 100 billion neurons. This complexity has presented a major challenge in understanding this organ and how it develops, particularly in view of the ethical issues associated with research on humans.

20 Sep 2018

Researchers develop new system to detect consumption of synthetic cannabinoids

The detection has been carried out analyzing the saliva of healthy volunteers before and after they smoked these herbs along with tobacco. The samples were analyzed using high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), statistical and bioinformatics methods.

20 Sep 2018

Progenitor cells for human bone and cartilage have been identified

Research published today describes for the first time the identification of human skeletal stem cells. The discovery may enable the development of novel therapeutic strategies for diseases that cause skeletal degeneration.

20 Sep 2018

Researchers develop fast detection strategy to know type of virus acquired by patients

Even tiny amounts of viruses can have disastrous consequences. RNA identification can reveal the type of virus present.

20 Sep 2018

Molecular & Structural Biology

New tool can help researchers split and reassemble proteins

Immune protein 'flutters' like a butterfly in search of viruses, finds study

'Kidney-gene' plays role in the central nervous system and controls movement

Researchers create photoswitchable fluorescent proteins with optical properties

Engineering organoids from stem cells to model retina diseases

Researchers develop new mathematical technique to study brain waves

Not all P53 mutations cause skin cancer

Researchers uncover molecular underpinnings of liver regeneration

Drosophila study shows chromosomal instability promotes invasive behavior in human tumors

Research reveals three-dimensional structure of membrane channel that controls blood pressure

Researchers find molecule that halts, reverts neurodegeneration caused by Parkinson's disease

New research provides insight into the way human brain connects episodic memories to solve problems

Scientists discover and characterize human skeletal stem cells

Researchers propose mechanism by which ASTN2 protein defects lead to brain disorders

Salk Institute researchers uncover molecular structure of RNA-based CRISPR system

Body organs undergo structural changes in response to diet

Sea squirt model reveals key molecules in dopaminergic neuron differentiation

Researchers develop new system to detect consumption of synthetic cannabinoids

Progenitor cells for human bone and cartilage have been identified

Researchers develop fast detection strategy to know type of virus acquired by patients

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

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