Molecular & Structural Biology

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UH researcher set to explore how testosterone works in the brain

Most people have some idea about the hormone testosterone –how it regulates male behavior or how too little of it might cause a decrease in libido and too much might cause aggressive and irritable behavior. Turns out, no one yet knows how testosterone really does all that.

16 Aug 2021

Researchers assess the genetic features of T-cell immunity development to SARS-CoV-2 variants

The continuing emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 mutations allows the virus to spread more effectively and evade antibodies. However, it is unclear whether new strains are capable of evading T-cell immunity - one of the body's main lines of defense against COVID-19.

16 Aug 2021

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

The single-stranded genetic material RNA is best known for guiding the assembly of proteins in our cells and carrying the genetic code for viruses like SARS-CoV-2 and HIV.

16 Aug 2021

Structure of BRCA2 protein complex critical for DNA repair solved

The initials BRCA2 may be best known for a gene associated with many cases of breast cancer, and the protein encoded by the BRCA2 gene is critical to repairing breaks in DNA.

13 Aug 2021

Novel CRISPR-based technique could inspire a new class of medical diagnostics

Scientists have repurposed the genetic modification technology CRISPR to identify antibodies in patient blood samples in a move that could inspire a new class of medical diagnostics in addition to a host of other applications.

13 Aug 2021

Study uncovers a subset of human short introns spliced out by a distinct mechanism

The interrupted non-coding regions in pre-mRNAs, termed “introns,” are excised by “splicing” to generate mature coding mRNAs that are translated into proteins.

13 Aug 2021

Innovative therapeutic platform for blood-to-brain delivery of antisense oligonucleotide therapy

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapy has the potential to ameliorate many neurodegenerative diseases at the genetic level to suppress the production of harmful proteins or non-coding RNAs.

12 Aug 2021

Study finds four circulating miRNAs which could effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication

In a new study, Chen-Yu Zhang's group from Nanjing University presents a rather striking finding that four circulating miRNAs, which are high in healthy people and much lower in older people and diabetic patients, could effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by directly targeting the S protein.

12 Aug 2021

Researchers determine the structure of receptor involved in type 2 diabetes and other pathologies

Researchers from the University of Southern California, Merck & Co., Skoltech, MIPT, UCLA, and the Université de Sherbrooke have determined the structure of the human leukotriene B4 receptor 1, involved in inflammatory, infectious, allergic, and tumorigenic diseases.

12 Aug 2021

Study finds novel approach to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction that drives diet-induced obesity

A team of University of California, Irvine, scientists have discovered a novel pharmacological approach to attenuate the mitochondrial dysfunction that drives diet-induced obesity.

12 Aug 2021

Skin cells could provide better understanding of molecular mechanisms of frontotemporal dementia

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland suggests that skin fibroblasts from frontotemporal dementia patients may be useful in investigating underlying disease mechanisms as well as in biomarker and drug research.

12 Aug 2021

Brain memory signals may influence blood sugar levels, rat study finds

A set of brain signals known to help memories form may also influence blood sugar levels, finds a new study in rats.

11 Aug 2021

Scientists develop new approach to identify proteins in the living brain

For the first time, researchers have developed a successful approach for identifying proteins inside different types of neurons in the brain of a living animal.

11 Aug 2021

Study uncovers epigenetic mechanism that mediates a link between fetal conditions and later health

A study at Tampere University has identified one possible epigenetic mechanism through which the conditions at conception may affect the health of an individual in later life.

10 Aug 2021

IMBA researchers may have found the "Achilles' heel" of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Researchers identify two sugar-binding proteins that impede the viral entry of circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants.

10 Aug 2021

Functional brain connections explain readiness to punish others for unfair behavior

The stronger the functional brain connections, the less inclined someone is to punish others for unfair behavior.

10 Aug 2021

Potential new treatment for mast cell cancers reduces tumor size and prevents organ infiltration

A potential new treatment for mast cell cancers reduces the number of mast cells by "mutating" the messenger RNA (mRNA) before it can deliver instructions for manufacturing the gene responsible for cell proliferation.

10 Aug 2021

Novel mechanistic insights on how ketamine exerts antidepressant effects

The discovery that the anaesthetic ketamine can help people with severe depression has raised hopes of finding new treatment options for the disease.

10 Aug 2021

Study finds altered brain gene expression patterns in people with opioid use disorder

The epidemic of opioid abuse affects millions of people worldwide, but researchers know surprisingly little about the molecular changes caused by opioids in the human brain.

10 Aug 2021

Novel imaging method shines new light on complex coordination molecules

Coordination compounds have molecular structures which consist of either one or multiple metal atoms at the center, surrounded by non-metal atoms.

10 Aug 2021

Molecular & Structural Biology

UH researcher set to explore how testosterone works in the brain

Researchers assess the genetic features of T-cell immunity development to SARS-CoV-2 variants

New system combines computer software and cryo-EM to determine 3D structures of RNA-only molecules

Structure of BRCA2 protein complex critical for DNA repair solved

Novel CRISPR-based technique could inspire a new class of medical diagnostics

Study uncovers a subset of human short introns spliced out by a distinct mechanism

Innovative therapeutic platform for blood-to-brain delivery of antisense oligonucleotide therapy

Study finds four circulating miRNAs which could effectively inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication

Researchers determine the structure of receptor involved in type 2 diabetes and other pathologies

Study finds novel approach to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunction that drives diet-induced obesity

Skin cells could provide better understanding of molecular mechanisms of frontotemporal dementia

Brain memory signals may influence blood sugar levels, rat study finds

Scientists develop new approach to identify proteins in the living brain

Study uncovers epigenetic mechanism that mediates a link between fetal conditions and later health

IMBA researchers may have found the "Achilles' heel" of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Functional brain connections explain readiness to punish others for unfair behavior

Potential new treatment for mast cell cancers reduces tumor size and prevents organ infiltration

Novel mechanistic insights on how ketamine exerts antidepressant effects

Study finds altered brain gene expression patterns in people with opioid use disorder

Novel imaging method shines new light on complex coordination molecules

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