Molecular & Structural Biology

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Researchers gain new insights into the structure of cancer-promoting Ras protein

Almost all attempts to use the Ras protein as a point of attack for medications have so far failed. New knowledge concerning its structure is raising hopes of options in the development of medications.

2 Jun 2021

Study reveals why mothers take extra risks to protect their children

It might seem like a given that mothers take extra risks to protect their children, but have you ever wondered why? A new study led by Kumi Kuroda at the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) in Japan shows that in mice, this and other nurturing behaviors are driven in part by neurons in a small part of the forebrain that contain a protein called the calcitonin receptor.

1 Jun 2021

Scientists use an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses

In a recent study, Australian scientists used an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses with an unprecedented level of detail, identifying small molecules known as 'pocket factors' as new therapeutic targets.

1 Jun 2021

Duetting songbirds 'silence' their partner’s brain to coordinate the duets

Art Garfunkel once described his legendary musical chemistry with Paul Simon, "We meet somewhere in the air through the vocal cords ... ."

31 May 2021

Study reveals three brain regions that link the brain's perception and memory systems

As we move through the world, what we see is seamlessly integrated with our memory of the broader spatial environment. How does the brain accomplish this feat?

13 May 2021

Study could help understand how Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises

Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC) affects between one and two of every 10,000 new-born babies. This genetic disease leads to the formation of benign tumors which can massively impair the proper functioning of vital organs such as the kidneys, the liver and the brain.

12 May 2021

Measuring metabolic 'fluxes' could help scientists advance new tuberculosis drugs

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is incredible in that it can survive for decades within its human host. It does this by varying its diet to successfully steal nutrients from the human host including immune cells; it is known to acquire and absorb multiple carbon sources from the body during infection.

12 May 2021

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

Since the discovery of Alzheimer's disease over a century ago, two hallmarks of the devastating illness have taken center stage.

12 May 2021

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Chemically synthesized short DNA sequences are extremely important ingredients with countless uses in research laboratories, hospitals, and in industry, like in the method for identifying COVID-19.

12 May 2021

Researchers develop a hairpin-shaped bicyclic peptide to fight cancer

The inhibition of pathological protein-protein interactions is a promising approach for treating a large number of diseases, including many forms of cancer.

12 May 2021

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

The study conducted by the University of Turku and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare together with an international research team is so far the largest population-level study in the world examining the connection between human gut microbiota and health and mortality in the following decades.

12 May 2021

Oleoyl-LPE promotes neurite outgrowth and protects against neuronal cell death

Lysophospholipids are phospholipids that have just one fatty acid chain, and in recent years, the role of lysophospholipids in physiology and pathophysiology has attracted attention.

12 May 2021

New findings challenge the decades-old working mechanism of the hearing organ

Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have made several discoveries on the functioning mechanisms of the inner hair cells of the ear, which convert sounds into nerve signals that are processed in the brain.

10 May 2021

Rice University neurobiologist wins NIH grant to study enteric nervous system development

Rice University neurobiologist Rosa Uribe will be hitting the books for her latest study of the digestive system, but some of the pages in her books are a billion years old.

10 May 2021

Researchers study how cancer cells re-organize 3D structure of DNA to ramp up oncogene activity

In cancer, a lot of biology goes awry: Genes mutate, molecular processes change dramatically, and cells proliferate uncontrollably to form entirely new tissues that we call tumors.

10 May 2021

Cognitive problems caused by repetitive and mild blows to the head could be treated, study suggests

A neurologic pathway by which non-damaging but high frequency brain impact blunts normal brain function and causes long-term problems with learning and memory has been identified.

10 May 2021

Researchers describe the key facet of sexual determination in mammalian models

Early in human development, during the first trimester of gestation, a fetus may have XX or XY chromosomes that indicate its sex. Yet at this stage a mass of cells known as the bipotential gonad that ultimately develops into either ovaries or testes has yet to commit to its final destiny.

7 May 2021

Molecular & Structural Biology

Researchers gain new insights into the structure of cancer-promoting Ras protein

Study reveals why mothers take extra risks to protect their children

Scientists use an original approach to resolve the 3D structure of flaviviruses

Duetting songbirds 'silence' their partner’s brain to coordinate the duets

Study reveals three brain regions that link the brain's perception and memory systems

Study could help understand how Tuberous Sclerosis Complex arises

Measuring metabolic 'fluxes' could help scientists advance new tuberculosis drugs

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Researchers develop a hairpin-shaped bicyclic peptide to fight cancer

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

Oleoyl-LPE promotes neurite outgrowth and protects against neuronal cell death

New findings challenge the decades-old working mechanism of the hearing organ

Rice University neurobiologist wins NIH grant to study enteric nervous system development

Researchers study how cancer cells re-organize 3D structure of DNA to ramp up oncogene activity

Cognitive problems caused by repetitive and mild blows to the head could be treated, study suggests

Researchers describe the key facet of sexual determination in mammalian models

A single archaeal enzyme can produce a spectacular range of natural and non-natural cardiolipins

Study provides a better understanding of the complex interplay of ncRNAs with gene regulation

Understanding body clock gene networks could help turn early birds into night owls or vice versa

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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