Molecular & Structural Biology

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Advanced microscopy reveals exciting insights into dynamic ultrastructure of the heart

What happens below the cellular level when the heart contracts and relaxes has long been unexplored. Thanks to new ultra-high-resolution electron microscopy techniques, scientists can now watch the heart beating – almost at a molecular level.

8 Apr 2022

Researchers discover new mechanisms for bone loss in gum disease

Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology researchers reported on a new discovery regarding the mechanisms for bone loss in gum disease (periodontitis). They found that double stranded RNA molecules can activate the immune system response that leads to deterioration of bone.

8 Apr 2022

SARS-CoV-2 mutations capable of widespread T-cell escape

A new study aimed to identify and screen the mutations observed in SARS-CoV-2 that help to facilitate CD8+ T-cell escape.

7 Apr 2022

Cytoskeletal proteins work synergistically in the cell cortex to form intracellular networks

Investigators have discovered that two cytoskeletal proteins which were previously thought to function independently actually interact and form cytoskeletal networks within the cell surface, according to findings published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

7 Apr 2022

Researchers design RNA molecules for delivering therapies directly to beta cells

Investigators at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine have designed RNA molecules that home to human pancreatic beta cells, the cells that produce insulin and are destroyed in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

7 Apr 2022

New platform for studying how the immune system responds to hepatitis C

A vaccine for hepatitis C has eluded scientists for more than 30 years, for several reasons. For one, the virus that causes the disease comes in many genetic forms, complicating the creation of a widely effective vaccine.

6 Apr 2022

New insights on lung surfactants could lead to better treatments for respiratory illnesses

A team led by University of Minnesota Twin Cities engineering researchers analyzed the fundamental properties and structures of lung surfactant - a naturally occurring substance that helps human and animal lungs expand and contract - providing insight that could eventually help scientists develop better treatments for respiratory illnesses.

6 Apr 2022

UCI researchers reveal the impact of native lipids on rhodopsin signaling and regeneration

In a new study at University of California, Irvine, researchers have revealed the impact of native lipids on rhodopsin signaling and regeneration, which may usher in a new paradigm for discovery of drugs that target G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).

6 Apr 2022

Cryo-EM imaging of a key immune protein reveals previously unrecognized binding site

Imaging at near-atomic resolution of a key immune protein commonly known as STING has revealed a previously unrecognized binding site that appears to be pivotal for launching immune attacks, UT Southwestern scientists report in a new study.

6 Apr 2022

Phenotypic changes in monocytes from COVID-19 patients

Researchers investigate monocytes to better understand how infection with SARS-CoV-2 can cause dysfunction in these immune cells.

5 Apr 2022

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 interferes with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

Researchers describe the effect of ORF8 and the immune-evasion activity used by SARS-CoV-2 to escape humoral responses.

5 Apr 2022

Study reveals how pancreatic tumors program macrophages to construct fibrotic barriers

In the presence of pancreatic tumors, certain immune cells break down structural proteins into molecules that trigger the building of dense tissue, a known barrier to therapy, a new study finds.

4 Apr 2022

Powerhouse-pruning protein may also help make energy rapidly available for growing new blood vessels

A protein that helps keep our cell powerhouses working at a premium appears to also help make energy rapidly available when it's time to make new blood vessels.

4 Apr 2022

Proteins in saliva strongly associated with the diagnosis of severe COVID-19

Researchers have identified a family of proteins that is significantly elevated in the saliva of patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

4 Apr 2022

Key protein could be a novel target for treatment of patients with B cell signaling deficiencies

The rules to the kids' game "red light, green light" are easy to follow: red always means stop, and green always means go. But now, researchers from Japan have found that a key protein involved in B cell signaling acts as both a red light to signaling in healthy cells and a green light to signaling in immune-deficient cells.

4 Apr 2022

Researchers use breast milk to identify new set of protein biomarkers for cancer

A simple blood test for women of all ages and risk levels could one day be possible thanks to a new set of protein biomarkers that researchers identified using breast milk.

4 Apr 2022

The mucosal antibody response to SARS-CoV-2

Researchers determine mucosal SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody levels and their neutralizing effect in pediatric and adult patients.

31 Mar 2022

The evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Researchers discuss the evolution and mechanisms of mutations that have occurred in the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

31 Mar 2022

Virginia Tech researcher awarded $1.9 million grant to study about mitophagy

Most of us remember enough biology to recall that mitochondria are known as "the powerhouse of the cell." Even that audacious term may downplay the importance of mitochondria and what happens when mitochondria go bad.

31 Mar 2022

Study sheds light on the conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

New computational simulations of the behavior of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins prior to fusion with human cell receptors show that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is more stable and slower changing than the earlier version that caused the SARS epidemic in 2003.

31 Mar 2022

Molecular & Structural Biology

Advanced microscopy reveals exciting insights into dynamic ultrastructure of the heart

Researchers discover new mechanisms for bone loss in gum disease

SARS-CoV-2 mutations capable of widespread T-cell escape

Cytoskeletal proteins work synergistically in the cell cortex to form intracellular networks

Researchers design RNA molecules for delivering therapies directly to beta cells

New platform for studying how the immune system responds to hepatitis C

New insights on lung surfactants could lead to better treatments for respiratory illnesses

UCI researchers reveal the impact of native lipids on rhodopsin signaling and regeneration

Cryo-EM imaging of a key immune protein reveals previously unrecognized binding site

Phenotypic changes in monocytes from COVID-19 patients

SARS-CoV-2 ORF8 interferes with antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity

Study reveals how pancreatic tumors program macrophages to construct fibrotic barriers

Powerhouse-pruning protein may also help make energy rapidly available for growing new blood vessels

Proteins in saliva strongly associated with the diagnosis of severe COVID-19

Key protein could be a novel target for treatment of patients with B cell signaling deficiencies

Researchers use breast milk to identify new set of protein biomarkers for cancer

The mucosal antibody response to SARS-CoV-2

The evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Virginia Tech researcher awarded $1.9 million grant to study about mitophagy

Study sheds light on the conformational dynamics of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 spike proteins

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