Molecular & Structural Biology

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Mapping specialized receptors on mosquito nerve cells reveals why the insects are more attracted to some humans

In a bid to understand why mosquitoes may be more attracted to one human than another, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have mapped specialized receptors on the insects' nerve cells that are able to fine-tune their ability to detect particularly "welcoming" odors in human skin.

21 Feb 2023

Two new zebrafish models for studying the most common cause of Leigh syndrome developed

Researchers from Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) developed two new zebrafish models for studying a specific genetic form of mitochondrial disease that represents the most common cause of Leigh syndrome.

21 Feb 2023

Structure of DREADD designer receptor could pave the way for creating next generation tools

In order to more fully understand how diseases arise in the brain, scientists must unravel the intricate way neurons relay messages (either chemical or electrical) along a complex web of nerve cells.

20 Feb 2023

Prolonged space travel induces reversible and persistent changes on the human brain

Scientists of the University of Antwerp and University of Liège have found how the human brain changes and adapts to weightlessness, after being in space for 6 months.

17 Feb 2023

Direct measurements reveal the secrets of polydopamine coatings

Dopamine is best known as a neurotransmitter. What is rather unknown, however, the underwater glue used by mussels contains large amounts of L-Dopa molecules, an analog of dopamine.

17 Feb 2023

Changing dietary fiber structure promotes healthy gut bacteria and reduces gas formation

Changing the structure of a dietary fiber commonly found in a range of food products has been found to promote healthy gut bacteria and reduce gas formation, a finding that could help people with intolerances to fiber and irritable bowel conditions.

16 Feb 2023

Researchers identify a novel mechanism of DNA repair that occurs in neurons

"Use it or lose it" goes the adage, applied liberally to everything from our muscles to our minds, especially as we age.

15 Feb 2023

Electrochemical method helps to continuously witness and analyze details of protein folding

Scientists are not yet clear on how the tau protein changes from a benign protein essential for normal function in our brains into the toxic neurofibrillary tangles that are a signature of Alzheimer's and other neurodegenerative diseases.

15 Feb 2023

Scientists reach a substantial consensus on the four principles that will enable the future development and expansion of virus taxonomy

A team of 45 virologists, evolutionary biologists, bioinformaticians, and structural biologists from around the world arrived at a consensus on virus classification methodologies and presented an integrated taxonomical framework for the systematics and taxonomy of viruses.

15 Feb 2023

New insights into the role of T-cells during long COVID

Researchers characterize the trajectory of long COVID in patients eight months after recovering from infection.

14 Feb 2023

Drug treatment in adulthood can counteract the behavioral abnormalities typical of autism

The behavioral disorders observed in autism are associated with a multitude of genetic alterations. Scientists from the Hector Institute for Translational Brain Research (HITBR) have now found another molecular cause for this condition.

14 Feb 2023

UT Southwestern researchers map gene control elements responsible for coordinating heartbeats

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have mapped gene control elements in specialized cardiac cells responsible for coordinating heartbeats.

13 Feb 2023

β-damascone can function as an efficient modulator of dendritic cell-mediated functions

Dendritic cells (DCs) are important players of the immune system with important functions such as the identification of infectious pathogens, production of cytokines (chemical signalers of the immune system), presentation of antigens to activate T-cells, and more.

10 Feb 2023

Molecular switch regulates autophagy in plants

Autophagy, or "self-eating", is an essential cellular quality control mechanism that clears the cell of protein aggregates and damaged organelles. This mechanism is inactive under normal conditions and only triggered upon persistent cellular stress.

10 Feb 2023

New method for capturing moments during protein translation

Nascent polypeptide chains or polypeptidyl-tRNAs (pep-tRNAs) occur transiently during protein synthesis. The potential to study these intermediates and better understand their role in processes like gene regulation has been greatly enhanced by the development of a process termed PETEOS—short for peptidyl-tRNA enrichment using organic extraction and silica adsorption.

10 Feb 2023

3D architecture ofAedes aegypti’s chromosomes may offer clues on gene expression, regulation

When it comes to DNA, one pesky mosquito turns out to be a rebel among species.

9 Feb 2023

Researchers discover small molecules that can lock SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

The infamous spike proteins on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 help it bind to and enter human cells. Because of their important role in spreading infection, these spike proteins are one of the main targets for COVID-19 vaccines and treatments.

9 Feb 2023

Macrophages suppress Escherichia coli LF82 Gally prophage lytic cycle

Researchers analyze prophages of the LF82 strain of adherent-invasive Escherichia coli to better understand their behavior in vitro and within macrophages.

8 Feb 2023

Study reveals some of the fundamental biology of p97 protein in neurodegenerative disease

The p97 protein is one of your body's best garbage disposers. It floats around in your cells looking for signals that a protein is past its shelf life and needs to be trashed.

7 Feb 2023

Integrated NGS system can deliver accurate, genomics-based diagnoses to accelerate treatment for myeloid neoplasms

Identifying recurrent genetic alterations in myeloid neoplasms has improved diagnosis and expanded targeted treatments available to patients. However, treatment initiation can be delayed by the variable and lengthy turnaround times involved in testing for these alterations.

7 Feb 2023

Molecular & Structural Biology

Mapping specialized receptors on mosquito nerve cells reveals why the insects are more attracted to some humans

Two new zebrafish models for studying the most common cause of Leigh syndrome developed

Structure of DREADD designer receptor could pave the way for creating next generation tools

Prolonged space travel induces reversible and persistent changes on the human brain

Direct measurements reveal the secrets of polydopamine coatings

Changing dietary fiber structure promotes healthy gut bacteria and reduces gas formation

Researchers identify a novel mechanism of DNA repair that occurs in neurons

Electrochemical method helps to continuously witness and analyze details of protein folding

Scientists reach a substantial consensus on the four principles that will enable the future development and expansion of virus taxonomy

New insights into the role of T-cells during long COVID

Drug treatment in adulthood can counteract the behavioral abnormalities typical of autism

UT Southwestern researchers map gene control elements responsible for coordinating heartbeats

β-damascone can function as an efficient modulator of dendritic cell-mediated functions

Molecular switch regulates autophagy in plants

New method for capturing moments during protein translation

3D architecture ofAedes aegypti’s chromosomes may offer clues on gene expression, regulation

Researchers discover small molecules that can lock SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

Macrophages suppress Escherichia coli LF82 Gally prophage lytic cycle

Study reveals some of the fundamental biology of p97 protein in neurodegenerative disease

Integrated NGS system can deliver accurate, genomics-based diagnoses to accelerate treatment for myeloid neoplasms

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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