Molecular & Structural Biology

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Inhalable ‘aerogel’ induces immune response against COVID-19 in the lungs of mice

An inhalable 'aerogel' loaded with DNA that encodes for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein successfully induces an immune response against COVID-19 in the lungs of mice, according to new research conducted at Penn State.

16 Mar 2022

Yale researchers uncover how to control the blood-brain barrier with a molecule

The brain is composed of billions of neurons - vulnerable cells that require a protective environment to function properly.

16 Mar 2022

Study reveals how to identify and avoid risks related to mitochondrial therapeutic interventions

Research carried out at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) has demonstrated that mixing mitochondrial DNAs (mtDNAs) of different origins can have damaging effects over the medium and long term.

16 Mar 2022

Detailed molecular map of stratum corneum can help develop new skin treatments

Scientists have accurately analyzed the tough barrier layer of the skin giving the most detailed molecular map of its structure that will help in the development of new skin products and treatments.

14 Mar 2022

Using mRNA to introduce gene editor into human muscle stem cells

Mutations that lead to muscle atrophy can be repaired with the gene editor CRISPR-Cas9. A team led by ECRC researcher Helena Escobar has now introduced the tool into human muscle stem cells for the first time using mRNA, thus discovering a method suitable for therapeutic applications.

14 Mar 2022

Researchers find unusual way of stabilizing cancer-suppressing protein

The p53 protein protects our cells from cancer and is an interesting target for cancer treatments. The problem is, however, that it breaks down rapidly in the cell. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have now found an unusual way of stabilizing the protein and making it more potent.

14 Mar 2022

Scientists map key molecular changes during mouse embryogenesis

Scientists have mapped out the key molecular changes that orchestrate how embryonic mouse cells differentiate into the diverse cell types that will ultimately form all the different tissues and organs of the adult animal.

14 Mar 2022

Conformational variation of the SARS-CoV-2 energy landscape

Researchers demonstrate that the energy landscape of SARS-CoV-2 exhibits significant conformational variation.

14 Mar 2022

Bioactive small molecules enhance CRISPR/Cas9 loss-of-function editing in human cells

Researchers demonstrate enhanced loss-of-function editing of CRISPR/Cas9 in human cells.

14 Mar 2022

Role of carboxypeptidase U in severe COVID-19

A new study measured both proCPU and CPU+CPUi over time to determine the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the CPU system.

14 Mar 2022

Study may provide insight into the evolution of D-amino acid function in marine invertebrates

Amino acids are the basic building blocks of living organisms and typically occur in a configuration known as the L-form. However, there are a few exceptional examples of the structural mirror image of the L-form (known as the D-form) being present in animals.

11 Mar 2022

Researchers solve the structure of large signaling protein involved in emergence of blood cancers

Researchers led by Christopher Garcia of the Ludwig Center at Stanford University have solved the long-sought structure of a large signaling protein involved in responses to infection, inflammation, the generation of immune cells and when dysregulated by mutation - the emergence of blood cancers known as myeloproliferative neoplasms.

11 Mar 2022

Scientists identify a new protein that turbocharges gene expression

For many years, scientists have sought to understand what happens when our genes are flipped to the "on" position. Now, scientists at the University of California San Diego and Rutgers University have identified a new protein that contributes to this important process.

11 Mar 2022

Targeting regulation of subcellular architecture may hold opportunities to treat metabolic diseases

Cells use their molecular architecture to regulate their metabolic functions, and repairing diseased cells' architecture to a healthier state can also repair metabolism, according to a study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers.

10 Mar 2022

The trajectory of B-cell immunity six months after mRNA vaccination

Researchers assess SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in individuals vaccinated with a mRNA COVID-19 vaccine six months after receiving their second dose.

10 Mar 2022

CRIPSR identifies cell-type-specific ACE2 modifiers

Researchers compile a list of candidate genes to identify the surface abundance of functional regulators of ACE2.

9 Mar 2022

Research sheds light on important events that may play a role in infertility

Everyone considers sperm to be made exclusively by males. But did you know that females also make sperm? Well, it turns out that females also contribute to what makes a sperm a sperm.

8 Mar 2022

How will mutations change the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in the future?

A new Cells review discusses the factors that affect the function of the SARS-CoV-2 S protein and provides theoretical limits of this viral protein.

8 Mar 2022

A promising approach for COVID-19 prophylaxis

SARS-CoV-2 viruses can hide from recognition by the immune system. However, the antiviral immune receptor RIG-I can be stimulated, which improves protection against lethal SARS-CoV-2 infections.

8 Mar 2022

Study offers insight into molecular biology of the brain in bipolar disorder patients

In a comprehensive study involving one of the largest-ever samples of post-mortem brains, scientists at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, in collaboration with researchers at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Bloomberg School of Public Health, have pinpointed significant differences in gene expression in two specific regions of the brains of hundreds of patients who had bipolar disorder.

7 Mar 2022