Molecular & Structural Biology

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UArizona researchers discover new protein that is responsible for controlling cell growth in yeasts

Like bacteria, yeasts are found everywhere, even in and around our bodies. And, as with bacteria, you can become infected by yeasts and become ill. Yeasts infect about 150 million people a year and kill about 1.7 million, especially those who are immunocompromised.

28 Sep 2022

Shape-shifting mitochondria influence Th17 cells’ propensity for autoimmune activity

A new study focused on the immune system's Th17 cells suggests that the shape and function of their mitochondria (the powerhouse of cells) is important in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders, such as multiple sclerosis.

28 Sep 2022

Bile acids play an important role in regulating gut microbiome

Scientists performe in vitro and in vivo experiments to investigate the antimicrobial effects of different bile acids on various microorganisms.

27 Sep 2022

How the gut microbiome could affect COVID-19 severity

Researchers review the potential role of the gut microbiome in determining severe COVID-19.

27 Sep 2022

UVA researchers solve a decades-old mystery about how bacteria can move

University of Virginia School of Medicine researchers and their collaborators have solved a decades-old mystery about how E. coli and other bacteria are able to move.

27 Sep 2022

Research reveals how carp virus uses a protein domain to inhibit host cell’s defense mechanisms

The team of Prof. Alain Vanderplasschen, virologist and immunologist at the University of Liège, has published an article in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, reporting ten years of research on how a carp virus has been using a protein domain called Zalpha (Zα) to inhibit the defense mechanisms of the host cell.

23 Sep 2022

Study finds strong links between certain gut bacteria and small molecules in the blood

There are strong links between bacteria living in the gut and the levels of small molecules in the blood known as metabolites.

23 Sep 2022

Study finds telomeres can set damage thresholds for cancer cells above which they cannot continue to divide

A recent study hypothesized that ALT might compromise telomere integrity if not restricted appropriately.

21 Sep 2022

Researchers successfully deliver a common blood pressure drug directly to cells’ ‘power plants’

In a study using lab-grown cells, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers specializing in aging report they have successfully delivered a common blood pressure drug directly to the inner membrane of mitochondria, the "power plants" in the cells of humans, animals, plants and most other organisms.

20 Sep 2022

Discovery of novel pathway offers a potential solution for preventing cancer chemo-resistance

Researchers have uncovered a novel pathway that explains how cancer cells become resistant to chemotherapies, which in turn offers a potential solution for preventing chemo-resistance.

20 Sep 2022

Cell's anti-aging structures can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain, study shows

A new study led by Claus M. Azzalin, group leader at Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes- iMM and published today in the prestigious scientific journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) shows, for the first time, that the cell's anti-aging structures – the telomeres – can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain and above which cells cannot continue to divide and die.

20 Sep 2022

Molecular engineered low-cost highly effective RBD-based COVID vaccine

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* preprint server, an international team of researchers developed a second-generation severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) receptor binding domain (RBD) antigen (RBD-J6) by molecular engineering with two additional amino acid (aa) substitutions (S383D and L518D mutations) in a hydrophobic cryptic RBD core epitope to enhance stability and expression against SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs).

19 Sep 2022

Researchers reveal native 3D structure of the ciliary base for the first time

Cilia are small hair-like organelles that extend from cells and perform many functions, including motility and signaling.

19 Sep 2022

Research uncovers novel predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy is a type of treatment for melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, which blocks proteins on tumor or immune cells that prevent the immune system from killing cancer cells.

19 Sep 2022

Researchers identify universal features shaping organelle gene retention

Mitochondria are compartments – so-called "organelles" -- in our cells that provide the chemical energy supply we need to move, think, and live.

16 Sep 2022

Research reveals pivotal role of C/EBPb in the development of alveolar macrophages

If a secretion in the lungs’ alveoli is not cleared regularly, breathing difficulties can develop. In a study published in Science Immunology, a team led by Alexander Mildner and Achim Leutz has now explained the pivotal role of the transcription factor C/EBPb in this process.

16 Sep 2022

Lab experiments add further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19’s viral pathogenesis

A new paper published in Nature Communications adds further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19's viral pathogenesis - a theory that was posited two years ago by a team of researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

16 Sep 2022

Machine learning can help create proteins much more accurately, quickly than previously possible

Over the past two years, machine learning has revolutionized protein structure prediction. Now, three papers in Science describe a similar revolution in protein design.

15 Sep 2022

Study investigates link between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men

A new research paper was published on the cover of Aging (listed as "Aging (Albany NY)" by Medline/PubMed and "Aging-US" by Web of Science) Volume 14, Issue 17, entitled, "Extracellular microRNA and cognitive function in a prospective cohort of older men: The Veterans Affairs Normative Aging Study."

15 Sep 2022

Scientists unravel the molecular origin of rare genetic disease cystinosis

The rare genetic disease cystinosis is caused by mutations in the gene for a protein called cystinosin. A team of scientists has now solved the structure of cystinosin and determined how mutations interfere with its normal function, providing insights into the underlying mechanisms and suggesting a way to develop new treatments for the disease.

15 Sep 2022

Molecular & Structural Biology

UArizona researchers discover new protein that is responsible for controlling cell growth in yeasts

Shape-shifting mitochondria influence Th17 cells’ propensity for autoimmune activity

Bile acids play an important role in regulating gut microbiome

How the gut microbiome could affect COVID-19 severity

UVA researchers solve a decades-old mystery about how bacteria can move

Research reveals how carp virus uses a protein domain to inhibit host cell’s defense mechanisms

Study finds strong links between certain gut bacteria and small molecules in the blood

Study finds telomeres can set damage thresholds for cancer cells above which they cannot continue to divide

Researchers successfully deliver a common blood pressure drug directly to cells’ ‘power plants’

Discovery of novel pathway offers a potential solution for preventing cancer chemo-resistance

Cell's anti-aging structures can set the damage threshold a cancer cell can sustain, study shows

Molecular engineered low-cost highly effective RBD-based COVID vaccine

Researchers reveal native 3D structure of the ciliary base for the first time

Research uncovers novel predictors of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy for melanoma

Researchers identify universal features shaping organelle gene retention

Research reveals pivotal role of C/EBPb in the development of alveolar macrophages

Lab experiments add further evidence to the bradykinin storm theory of COVID-19’s viral pathogenesis

Machine learning can help create proteins much more accurately, quickly than previously possible

Study investigates link between plasma miRNAs and cognitive function among cognitively normal men

Scientists unravel the molecular origin of rare genetic disease cystinosis

Evolving spectrophotometry for modern biopharma workflows

Scaling B-cell cloning workflows for antibody development

Fluidics in Modern Healthcare & Medical Device Innovation

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