Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers use optogenetics to shape tissues

Constructing biological tissues, such as skin, muscle, or bone, in customized shapes is now one step closer.

19 Jun 2018

Gene editing technology predicts heart disease risk

Scientists could now use gene editing and stem cell technologies to predict whether carrying a specific gene variant increases the risk of heart disease.

18 Jun 2018

Investigating Enamel Nanostructure with Nanoindentation

In this interview, Dr S. Amini, post-doctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interface, talks to AZoM about his work involving the structural properties and mechanical responses of teeth enamel.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 15 Jun 2018

Researchers identify gene enhancer that affects sex determination

Researchers have identified a gene enhancer that is critical for male sex development and shown that deleting it results in male-to-female sex reversal in mice.

15 Jun 2018

Scientists locate neurons involved in fear reduction in long-term trauma

As reported in the journal Science, the researchers found that a reduction in long-lasting trauma (remote fear) is connected to the activity of the same group of neurons that are involved in storing the memories in the first place.

14 Jun 2018

Researchers produce snapshots of the cell's 'protein factories'

Berlin-based researchers have produced snapshots of the 'protein factories' of the cell. Their findings could set us on the path towards a new class of antibiotics.

14 Jun 2018

New studies on fat cell filling, history of biochemistry, and ketogenic diet

There's more than one type of fat cell. Besides the white fat that stores triglycerides in lipid droplets in preparation for lean times later, mammals also have heat-generating brown fat, which acts more like a radiator than a storage closet.

14 Jun 2018

Scientists discover unique feature in the 'antennae' of light-sensing neurons

Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine and Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands have discovered that the antennae-like structures on light-sensing neurons, called photoreceptors, have a unique feature not observed in the 'antennae' or cilia of other types of cells.

14 Jun 2018

Extensive lipidomics studies reveal signatures of metabolic health and disease

Scientists from EPFL and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have carried out one of the most extensive lipidomics studies to date, connecting almost 150 different lipid species to their respective genetic regulators, revealing signatures of metabolic health and disease.

13 Jun 2018

Study unravels how nuclear pore complexes transport mRNAs out of the nucleus

Standing guard between a cell's nucleus and its main chamber, called the cytoplasm, are thousands of behemoth protein structures called nuclear pore complexes, or NPCs.

13 Jun 2018

Combination of antibodies shown to cause rheumatoid arthritis

Researchers have shown that severe inflammation and joint damage in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is primarily caused by a combination of different antibodies.

12 Jun 2018

TU Graz researchers manipulate enzymes to build ring-shaped molecular structures

TU Graz researchers managed for the first time ever to 'retrain' an enzyme to build ring-shaped molecular structures instead of performing its natural task of reducing double bonds.

12 Jun 2018

Genetic mutation shown to cause bipolar disorder

Researchers have discovered a mutation that may increase the risk of bipolar disorder through a complex interplay between serotonin and mitochondrial signaling.

11 Jun 2018

Using Nanomechanical Testing to Understand the Mechanical Efficiency of Biomaterials

Biological materials exhibit superior mechanical properties relative to their weight when compared to the majority of all man-made materials. In addition to this, organisms can construct these materials using a very limited palette.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 8 Jun 2018

International research team develops simplified CRISPR

Details of an advanced form of CRISPR technology have been published in Nature Communications.

8 Jun 2018

Researchers discover protein responsible for X chromosome inactivation

Researchers have discovered that the structural protein SMCHD1 is required to prevent genes from both X chromosomes being expressed in female mammals.

7 Jun 2018

Researchers find identity of stem-cell niche of the colon

Researchers at the University of Zurich have discovered the identity of the stem-cell niche of the colon. The niche comprises special cells that activate the stem cells of the adjacent intestinal epithelium and are responsible for its continuous renewal.

7 Jun 2018

UCLA researchers have blueprint of telomerase that plays major role in cancer, aging

Cancer, aging-related diseases and other illnesses are closely tied to an important enzyme called "telomerase." UCLA researchers report in the journal Cell the deepest scientific understanding yet of this once-mysterious enzyme, whose catalytic core -- where most of its activity occurs -- can now be seen in near atomic resolution.

7 Jun 2018

Scientists elucidate 3D structure of protein involved in cancer

The human glutamine transporter ASCT2 is upregulated in several forms of cancer. It is also the docking platform for a wide range of pathogenic retroviruses.

6 Jun 2018