Molecular & Structural Biology

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New method decodes the role of DDX41 protein in preventing double-strand breaks in DNA

There are many different ways in which the genetic material DNA can be damaged, resulting in the development of diseases such as cancer. Certain forms of DNA damage are associated with so-called R-loops.

8 Feb 2022

Genetically informed brain atlases help identify hundreds of genomic loci

An international team of scientists has used atlases of the human brain informed by genetics to identify hundreds of genomic loci. Loci is plural for locus, and in genetics indicates the physical location of a gene or variant on a chromosome.

7 Feb 2022

Dopamine signaling promotes the development of compulsive reward seeking behavior

Northwestern investigators have discovered that dopamine signaling in the brain's dorsomedial striatum promotes the development of compulsive behaviors in animal models, according to findings published in Current Biology.

7 Feb 2022

USP22 crucial for type III interferon signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection

In a recent study posted to the bioRxiv* pre-print server, a team of researchers demonstrated that ubiquitin-specific peptidase 22 (USP22) is a crucial regulator of basal interferon (IFN) signaling in native human intestinal epithelial cells (hIECs).

7 Feb 2022

A novel approach to predict mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 spike

A study posted recently to the bioRxiv* preprint server demonstrated that the emergence of new spike variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) can be predicted.

6 Feb 2022

Scientists reveal how droplets of transcription factors collectively read DNA regions to switch on genes

Life starts with one cell. When an organism develops, dividing cells specialize to form the variety of tissues and organs that build up the adult body, while keeping the same genetic material – contained in our DNA.

6 Feb 2022

Researchers investigate how messenger substances signal inflammation during damaged cell removal

A research team from Cologne and Osnabrück has investigated in detail how messenger substances signal inflammation during the removal of damaged cells in the body.

4 Feb 2022

Scientists elucidate the structure of central cellular inflammatory switch

Researchers at the Universities of Bonn and Regensburg have elucidated the structure of a central cellular inflammatory switch.

4 Feb 2022

A theoretical model may help better understand how blood circulates in the brain

Research carried out by the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M) may help us better understand oscillations in blood flow that occur in the cerebrovascular network, thanks to a theoretical model that allows the flow and accumulation of fluid (in this case, blood) to be taken into account.

4 Feb 2022

Molecular simulations provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 variant RBD interactions with ACE2 and mAbs

Researchers aimed to understand the relationship between the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain and both human receptors and therapeutic targets.

3 Feb 2022

New method may be effective at quantifying DNA adenine methylation in complex organisms

For decades, a small group of cutting-edge medical researchers have been studying a biochemical, DNA tagging system, which switches genes on or off. Many have studied it in bacteria and now some have seen signs of it in, plants, flies, and even human brain tumors.

3 Feb 2022

Researchers elucidate first 3D structure of regulator protein complex

Proteins are indispensable components in living organisms. They are not only "building material" for the body – they also make molecular communication between cells possible, they are needed for nerve impulses to occur, and they control chemical reactions.

2 Feb 2022

Rolling brain wave patterns can provide clue to understanding sleep, anesthesia, and attention

While sleeping, the entire brain rolls through long, slow waves of electrical activity, like waves on a calm ocean. Researchers call that state of consciousness "slow wave sleep".

2 Feb 2022

Study finds minimal genetic difference between healthy sea stars and those with wasting syndrome

Healthy-looking ochre sea stars have minimal genetic difference from those displaying symptoms of sea star wasting syndrome, say Oregon State University researchers who examined whether genetic variation was the reason some animals went unaffected during an epidemic of the deadly disease.

2 Feb 2022

SARS-CoV-2 entry at the cell surface facilitated by trypsin

Exogenous trypsin treatment boosts SARS-CoV-2 infection in Vero E6 cells and promotes viral multiplication in cultured cells.

1 Feb 2022

New machine-learning model could speed up the process of developing new medicines

Antibodies, small proteins produced by the immune system, can attach to specific parts of a virus to neutralize it.

1 Feb 2022

Researchers visualize protein machinery of respiration for the first time

Oxygen and sugar are the basis of life for animals, plants, fungi and many bacteria. The metabolic process called respiration makes it possible to convert food into energy for the cells.

31 Jan 2022

Researchers use microscopic strands of DNA to assemble hydrogel blocks

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) have used microscopic strands of DNA to guide the assembly of gel blocks that are visible to the naked eye.

31 Jan 2022

Researchers investigate functional advantages of traveling brain waves during working memory

After more than a century of study, the significance of brain waves – the coordinated, rhythmic electrical activity of groups of brain cells – is still not fully known. An especially underappreciated aspect of the phenomenon is that waves spatially propagate, or "travel," through brain regions over time.

31 Jan 2022

Study reveals potential mechanism for iron accumulation in the aging brain

Breakdowns in regulatory mechanisms cause iron to build up in the brain as organisms grow older, increasing oxidative stress and causing cellular damage, according to a Northwestern Medicine study published in the journal eLife.

31 Jan 2022

Molecular & Structural Biology

New method decodes the role of DDX41 protein in preventing double-strand breaks in DNA

Genetically informed brain atlases help identify hundreds of genomic loci

Dopamine signaling promotes the development of compulsive reward seeking behavior

USP22 crucial for type III interferon signaling and SARS-CoV-2 infection

A novel approach to predict mutations within the SARS-CoV-2 spike

Scientists reveal how droplets of transcription factors collectively read DNA regions to switch on genes

Researchers investigate how messenger substances signal inflammation during damaged cell removal

Scientists elucidate the structure of central cellular inflammatory switch

A theoretical model may help better understand how blood circulates in the brain

Molecular simulations provide insight into SARS-CoV-2 variant RBD interactions with ACE2 and mAbs

New method may be effective at quantifying DNA adenine methylation in complex organisms

Researchers elucidate first 3D structure of regulator protein complex

Rolling brain wave patterns can provide clue to understanding sleep, anesthesia, and attention

Study finds minimal genetic difference between healthy sea stars and those with wasting syndrome

SARS-CoV-2 entry at the cell surface facilitated by trypsin

New machine-learning model could speed up the process of developing new medicines

Researchers visualize protein machinery of respiration for the first time

Researchers use microscopic strands of DNA to assemble hydrogel blocks

Researchers investigate functional advantages of traveling brain waves during working memory

Study reveals potential mechanism for iron accumulation in the aging brain

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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