Molecular & Structural Biology

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Scientists identify molecular pit crew responsible for refueling in signaling cells

During IndyCar races, pit stop crews will often refuel a car, replace wheels and complete minor repairs on a race car within 10 seconds. In this short time, a dozen or so people work rapidly and in a highly coordinated manner to complete a number of tasks with extraordinary efficiency.

24 Aug 2018

Genetic interindividual variability influences nutritional requirements

Approximately 0.1%: that is the average genetic difference between two individuals. This small percentage is responsible for the variations of certain physical traits, such as eyes, hair, and height, but also for differences in our susceptibility to certain diseases and our capacity to absorb vitamins and phytomicronutrients, involved in the prevention of chronic disease.

24 Aug 2018

Researchers uncover how RNA regulates genes during critical stage in embryonic brain development

Scientists at the Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and colleagues discovered how a type of RNA, called Evf2 enhancer RNA, regulates key genes during a critical stage in embryonic brain development.

24 Aug 2018

Research uncovers unexpected upside of E. coli

Best known as a pathogen that causes food poisoning or steals nutrients away from its host, the E. coli bacterium actually plays a critical role in promoting health by producing a compound that helps cells take up iron, new CU Boulder research shows.

24 Aug 2018

Finding ways to improve cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that affects dopamine signaling neurons in patients' brains. Cell-replacement therapy shows some promise as a treatment for Parkinson's. A recent paper in the journal Molecular & Cellular Proteomics reports a technical advance in selecting cells to use in this therapy.

24 Aug 2018

Natural enzyme found in the human lungs can biodegrade graphene

Graphene Flagship partners discovered that a natural human enzyme can biodegrade graphene. These findings could have great implications in the development of graphene-based biomedical devices.

23 Aug 2018

Study provides new clues to connection between aging and neurodegeneration

For decades researchers have worked to shed light on the causes of neurodegenerative disorders, a group of devastating conditions, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, that involve the progressive loss of neurons and nervous system function. In recent years, numerous factors, from genetic mutations to viral infections, have been found to contribute to the development of these diseases.

23 Aug 2018

Scientists demonstrate rapid immune system development in newborn babies

Using new analytical techniques, researchers have shown for the first time the dramatic development of the human immune system after birth.

23 Aug 2018

Single neuron in fruit fly triggers new behavior and also suppresses antagonistic behavior

In the fruit fly, a single pair of brain neurons command backward locomotion in both larvae and adults, researchers report.

23 Aug 2018

New 'micro-organ' within the immune system identified

For the first time in decades, researchers have identified a new 'micro-organ' within the immune system - and they say it's an important step towards understanding how to make better vaccines.

22 Aug 2018

Scientists develop universal vaccine with the potential to protect against multiple flu strains

Researchers have developed a universal vaccine that can protect against multiple strains of influenza in animals.

22 Aug 2018

Wyss researchers create model of the BBB-brain interface using microfluidically linked Organ Chips

The human brain, with its 100 billion neurons that control every thought, word, and action, is the most complex and delicate organ in the body. Because it needs extra protection from toxins and other harmful substances, the blood vessels that supply the brain with oxygen and nutrients are highly selective about which molecules can cross from the blood into the brain and vice versa.

22 Aug 2018

Study reveals RNA editing regulator involved in cancer development

Researchers have discovered a bidirectional regulator of adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing that could serve as a new cancer drug target.

21 Aug 2018

Scientists create universal blood type using enzymes from gut bacteria

Scientists have discovered enzymes from species of the gut microbiome that can convert A and B blood types into the universal type O.

21 Aug 2018

Study uncover metabolic network controlled by the ‘circadian clock’ of muscle cells

How do muscle cells prepare for the particular metabolic challenges of the day? Scientists at Helmholtz Zentrum München and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, members of the German Center for Diabetes Research, have investigated this question and published their results in 'PLOS Biology'.

21 Aug 2018

Micro-flow model reveals complex interactions between the brain’s blood vessels and nerve cells

Micro-flow models of the blood-brain barrier and the brain reveal for the first time complex metabolic interactions between the brain's blood vessels and nerve cells. The findings are published by an international team of researchers, including from Karolinska Institutet and the Royal Institute of Technology, in the journal Nature Biotechnology.

20 Aug 2018

Study reveals why individuals carrying identical gene mutations have varying disease severity

Researchers at the New York Genome Center and Columbia University have uncovered a molecular mechanism behind one of biology's long-standing mysteries: why individuals carrying identical gene mutations for a disease end up having varying severity or symptoms of the disease.

20 Aug 2018

Molecular & Structural Biology

Scientists identify molecular pit crew responsible for refueling in signaling cells

Genetic interindividual variability influences nutritional requirements

Researchers uncover how RNA regulates genes during critical stage in embryonic brain development

Research uncovers unexpected upside of E. coli

Finding ways to improve cell replacement therapy for Parkinson's disease

Natural enzyme found in the human lungs can biodegrade graphene

Study provides new clues to connection between aging and neurodegeneration

Scientists demonstrate rapid immune system development in newborn babies

Single neuron in fruit fly triggers new behavior and also suppresses antagonistic behavior

New 'micro-organ' within the immune system identified

Scientists develop universal vaccine with the potential to protect against multiple flu strains

Wyss researchers create model of the BBB-brain interface using microfluidically linked Organ Chips

Study reveals RNA editing regulator involved in cancer development

Scientists create universal blood type using enzymes from gut bacteria

Study uncover metabolic network controlled by the ‘circadian clock’ of muscle cells

Micro-flow model reveals complex interactions between the brain’s blood vessels and nerve cells

Study reveals why individuals carrying identical gene mutations have varying disease severity

Study shows that rogue proteins may underlie some ALS and frontotemporal dementia cases

Study unravels cellular and molecular mechanisms behind dermal condensate formation

Understanding How Antibodies Shape the Gut Microbiome

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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