Molecular & Structural Biology

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Study reveals the potential of novel antiviral drug combinations to stop COVID-19 spread

Researchers from Columbia Engineering, Fiocruz's Center for Technological Development in Health and the Oswaldo Cruz Institute in Brazil, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and Rockefeller University recently reported that, by combining inhibitors of polymerases and exonucleases--enzymes that allow SARS-CoV-2 to reproduce--they were able to reduce SARS-CoV-2 replication 10 times more than when using just the polymerase inhibitors.

7 Mar 2022

NETosis in COVID-19 and MIS-C

A new study investigates the role played by neutrophil extracellular traps formation and degradation in COVID-19.

7 Mar 2022

Study provides new insights into the communication of bacteria with their host

A newly discovered protein helps bacteria recognize stress hormones in the human body and direct their motion in the host.

7 Mar 2022

Biologists reveal structure of newly discovered speargun-like molecular injection systems in bacteria

Biologists from ETH Zurich have discovered speargun-like molecular injection systems in two types of bacteria and have described their structure for the first time.

7 Mar 2022

CD4 T-cell immunity active six months into COVID-19 convalescence

A new paper explores the presence of CD4 T-cell-mediated adaptive immunity against SARS-CoV-2 in late convalescence.

6 Mar 2022

Researchers discover a nuclear import mechanism essential for organ growth and development

Scientists at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) have identified a nuclear import mechanism essential for organ growth and development. Manipulation of this mechanism has potential applications in the control of organ growth and organ regeneration.

4 Mar 2022

Sugar-decorated proteins in mucus could prevent SARS-CoV-2 viruses from spreading from surfaces

Early in the pandemic, many people fastidiously disinfected surfaces because laboratory studies predicted that SARS-CoV-2 could be easily transmitted in this way.

2 Mar 2022

Australian bull ants' venom component exploits a pain pathway in mammals

Australian bull ants have evolved a venom molecule perfectly tuned to target one of their predators – the echidna – that also could have implications for people with long-term pain, University of Queensland researchers say.

2 Mar 2022

Intestinal cells can change specializations during their lives, finds study

Intestinal cells can change specializations during their lives. The BMP signaling pathway – an important communication mechanism between cells – appears to be the driver of these changes.

1 Mar 2022

Scientists reveal molecular mechanisms behind bone loss caused by chronic liver injury

A research team led by Prof. Chen Di from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences along with other collaborators have revealed the molecular mechanisms behind bone loss caused by chronic liver injury.

1 Mar 2022

Research sheds light on the role of lipids in Alzheimer’s disease development

Neurons in the brain coexist with and rely on many other cell types to function properly. Astrocytes, which take their name from their star shape, ensure the survival of neurons by feeding and detoxifying them with the help of a multifunctional protein, APOE.

1 Mar 2022

Researchers demonstrate the powerful gene silencing effects of HDO technology

T and B lymphocytes, which are part of a group of immune cells commonly called white blood cells, work together to eliminate foreign invaders in the body such as viruses.

28 Feb 2022

Study provides new understanding of the earliest molecular events in Type 1 Diabetes pathogenesis

For the first time, researchers have revealed that during the development of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), when insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are under attack from T lymphocytes, the cells lining the pancreatic duct reprogram themselves in an attempt to suppress autoimmune T cell responses.

28 Feb 2022

Novel mechanism that connects circadian rhythm and muscle repair discovered

Northwestern Medicine investigators have discovered a novel mechanism that connects circadian rhythm-controlled cellular metabolism and regeneration with muscle repair after injury, according to recent findings published in the journal Genes and Development.

28 Feb 2022

Spectacular structure of C.difficile's protective armor revealed

The spectacular structure of the protective armor of superbug C.difficile has been revealed for the first time showing the close-knit yet flexible outer layer – like chain mail.

25 Feb 2022

Researchers untangle the mysteries around type-2 diabetes

For more than 30 years, scientists have been trying to unravel the mystery of how a key biological molecule self assembles into a rogue protein-like substance known as amyloid, which is thought to play a role in the development of type-2 diabetes - a disease that affects 300 million people worldwide.

25 Feb 2022

Study shows how certain RNA molecules control the repair of damaged DNA in cancer cells

A new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden shows how certain RNA molecules control the repair of damaged DNA in cancer cells, a discovery that could eventually give rise to better cancer treatments. The study is published today in the journal Nature Communications.

23 Feb 2022