McGill researchers have discovered how bacteria create cyanophycin granules, a reserve of nitrogen and energy. The study uses cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to visualize the active enzyme in action, opening up possibilities for biotech applications.
A woman-owned spinout company, Chosen Diagnostics Inc, has received a $2.1M NIH grant to develop and commercialize a noninvasive diagnostic biomarker test for necrotizing enterocolitis. The test, called NECDetect, identifies 93% true positives and 95% true negatives in diagnosing the disease.
Researchers have developed Mass-Sensitive Particle Tracking (MSPT) to analyze proteins on biological membranes in real-time. The method enables the determination of protein location and size changes without labeling, providing valuable insights into dynamic processes at the membrane.
Researchers reconstituted cyanobacterial circadian clock in a test tube, enabling real-time study of clock protein interactions and their role in gene expression. The study reveals mechanisms of circadian timekeeping and provides insights into the genetic origins of clock disruption.
Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel antibacterial material called NANO-LPPO that can prevent infection and facilitate treatment of skin wounds. The material combines lipophosphonoxins with a nonwoven nanotextile, which releases active substances in response to bacterial presence.
Researchers at the University of Illinois found that antibodies from people infected with the original COVID-19 strain do not effectively bind to newer variants. This has implications for vaccine efficacy and the design of possible boosters.
Researchers found that the gene TCF-1 regulates specific Treg cells, leading to more severe and inflammatory colon cancers. Without TCF-1, these cells become activated and gain a gut-homing feature, resulting in harsher cancer outcomes.
Dr. Brian Kennedy will discuss his latest research on the path to longer lifespan and healthspan, highlighting potential smooth or bumpy routes to achieving healthy longevity. The conference aims to bring together experts to share groundbreaking research and developments in aging and drug discovery.
Scientists at the University of Illinois have developed a method to regulate the Wnt signaling pathway using blue light, allowing them to study its functions in embryonic development and cancer. This approach enables precise control over the pathway's activity, potentially leading to new treatments for tissue repair and cancer research.
A University of Miami researcher has discovered a polymer chain nanoparticle that can deliver antiretroviral drugs to the brain, reducing HIV/AIDS viral reservoirs. The breakthrough could improve the treatment of brain cancers and other diseases, particularly in HIV-positive individuals with neurological problems.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet investigated the protein eIF4A3, which helps cancer cells grow. By blocking this protein, they found that cancer cells stop growing and eventually die. The study suggests a new approach for targeted treatment of colon and sarcoma cancers.
Dr. Jitender Mehla has received a National Institutes of Health Grant to study small molecule-based inhibition of multidrug efflux pump in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a serious threat to hospital-acquired infections. The proposed research aims to develop antibacterials effective against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens.
A synthetic hinge concept developed by Indiana University School of Medicine Professor Michael A. Weiss and his team could lead to a breakthrough in 'smart' insulin therapy. The invention exploits a natural mechanism that allows the insulin to adjust its activity based on blood glucose levels, which could transform diabetes care.
Fionnuala Lundy, an Associate Professor at Queen's University Belfast, has received the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for her groundbreaking research on naturally-occurring antimicrobial peptides. Her work focuses on oral/dental stem cells, pulp regeneration and various oral diseases.
Researchers have created a blood test that can predict COVID-19 severity, which could aid in prioritizing patients for hospitalization. The test uses attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to measure changes in blood biochemistry and has shown promise as a rapid and simple triaging tool.
Two studies by CU Cancer Center researchers found that chronic inflammation can serve as a key factor in the development of leukemia. Chronic inflammation reduces the fitness of normal cells, hindering their ability to reproduce and creating space for cancer-causing mutations to proliferate. The findings support the theory of adaptive ...
Researchers at McMaster University developed a hand-held rapid test for bacterial infections that can produce accurate results in under an hour. The test distinguishes between treatable and resistant bacteria, helping to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers will explore the beginning of human life, the role of gut bacteria, and collective intelligence in honeybees. Experts from various fields will share their findings on protein biochemistry, glycobiology, and epigenetic regulation, among other topics.
A preclinical study suggests that senolytic drugs can significantly reduce mortality and severe disease in elderly people infected with SARS-CoV-2. The study found that treating older mice with senolytic drugs increased their survival rate from nearly 0% to 50%, reducing cellular senescence and inflammatory markers.
Researchers developed a novel method for labeling DNA bases using electrochemical detection and redox labels. This approach allows for the identification of individual nucleotides in a single strand of DNA, enabling faster and more affordable DNA sequencing and diagnostic applications.
Researchers from Federal Research Centre of Biotechnology RAS deciphered activation mechanism of Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) upon exposure to light. The study used structural biology, biochemistry, spectroscopy, and quantum chemistry methods to determine OCP's crystal structure with high spatial resolution.
Researchers used advanced imaging technology to film Zebrafish brains while they were alive, revealing that the activation of stem cells responsible for generating neurons is not random, but rather coordinated. This finding has important implications for understanding brain development and may lead to new treatments for neurodegenerati...
Researchers Lynne Maquat and Joan Steitz recognized for elucidating key functions of RNA, a workhorse molecule in cell function. Their discoveries inform RNA-based therapies for diseases like COVID-19 and muscular dystrophy.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has launched an honorific program to recognize members who have made significant contributions to the field. The first class of 30 fellows includes renowned scientists from around the world, who will be honored at the society's annual meeting.
The Protein Data Bank (PDB) is celebrating 50 years of sharing scientific knowledge, with millions of users accessing its data for fundamental biology, energy, and biomedicine. The event highlights the PDB's role in understanding protein folding, including SARS-CoV-2, and structural biology's impact on medicine and drug discovery.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum and collaborators isolated a PS II transition complex with three helper proteins using cryo-electron microscopy. The study reveals a novel protective mechanism that prevents the formation of aggressive oxygen species during assembly, allowing for a more efficient and stable machine.
Scientists have developed a method to create crystalline exoskeletons around delicate liposomes and lipid nanoparticles, stabilizing them at room temperature for up to two months. This breakthrough could help address the need for COVID-19 vaccines to be kept at below-freezing temperatures during transport and storage.
A team from TUM and Max Planck Institute analyzed over 1200 samples of human lung cells reacting to SARS-CoV-2 proteins, identifying 1484 interaction points between viral and cellular proteins. This knowledge will help identify vulnerability hotspots for new therapies.
Heavy water (D2O) is found to have a distinct sweet taste in humans, unlike ordinary water (H2O), which is mediated by the human sweet taste receptor TAS1R2/TAS1R3. The study uses molecular dynamics simulations, cell-based experiments, and mouse models to confirm this finding.
Researchers used biochemical metabolic networks and evolutionary trees to analyze 1,089 bacterial genomes, predicting the biochemistry of LBCA. The analysis reveals that LBCA was likely rod-shaped and had the acetyl-CoA pathway for carbon fixation, similar to LUCA.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill develop collaborative strategy to test hypothesis on how tiny chemicals formed basic biochemistry four billion years ago. They aim to enhance understanding of cellular processes to detect new disease treatment strategies and inspire life outside Earth.
Researchers have developed a method to quantify transfer RNAs (tRNAs) in cells, which can reveal insights into tRNA regulation in health and disease. The mim-tRNAseq approach accurately measures tRNA abundance and modification status, enabling the study of tRNA dynamics in different tissues and during development.
Researchers have identified a new signaling pathway that regulates the production of RNA-protein complexes in neurons, which are overproduced in neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS and senile dementia. This discovery may lead to better understanding and potential therapeutic options for these conditions.
Researchers developed a new method to visualize and quantify molecular processes in cells, revealing a ternary adhesion complex essential for cell attachment. The study provides insights into how individual proteins assemble and co-organize to form functional units.
A University of Colorado Boulder study suggests that existing PARP inhibitors for hereditary breast and ovarian cancers may not work as intended. The research reveals a previously unknown interaction between the PARP protein and HPF1, which could lead to more effective treatments by targeting this co-protein.
Researchers at the University of Münster developed a strategy to switch DNA functions on and off using light. This allows for better understanding and control of cellular processes, such as epigenetics. The method involves transferring photocaging groups to DNA using protein engineering.
A University of Missouri researcher has found a way to increase triacylglycerol production in plant leaves using CRISPR gene editing, which could lead to greater and cheaper vegetable oil production. This breakthrough technique enables the harvesting of oil from large, leafy plants with multiple uses, such as sorghum.
Researchers have identified six biochemical biomarkers linked to COVID-19 infection using a blood test. The test can detect infected patients with high accuracy, allowing for rapid diagnosis and treatment prioritization.
Researchers from RUDN University created a wound-healing gel using the metabolic product L-lysine-oxidase produced by Trichoderma fungi. The gel showed advanced wound-healing properties, with carbopol-based gel demonstrating the best results in treating wounds.
Researchers from Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center have determined the 3D structure of a molecular machine responsible for correctly placing tail-anchored membrane proteins into biomembranes. This finding provides crucial insights into protein transport and insertion, shedding light on the final steps of the process.
Researchers discovered that fluorescent proteins behave like miniature antennas, absorbing and emitting light in specific directions. This finding has significant applications in basic biological research and novel drug discovery.
The University of Delaware has secured a $11 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to support its biomedical research program. The grant, led by Professor Joseph Fox, will focus on discovering new molecules to study and treat diseases such as breast cancer and tuberculosis.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have made significant discoveries about the 3D structure of mammalian ferroportin, revealing two iron-binding sites and a unique mode of action. This new understanding has potential implications for treating iron overload diseases, such as anemia and cancer.
A new ultrapotent COVID-19 vaccine candidate, designed via computer, has been shown to produce virus-neutralizing antibodies in mice at levels ten times greater than those seen in people who have recovered from COVID-19 infections. The vaccine candidate also elicited a strong B-cell response after immunization.
Researchers have identified a new and evolutionarily conserved pathway responsible for silencing genes in mammalian cells. BAHCC1 protein is involved in the Polycomb pathway, which generates a chemical tag to silence genes, and its high expression is linked to leukemia, challenging current understanding of gene silencing.
Researchers at the University of California - Santa Cruz identify a specific segment of amyloid beta recognized by the cellular prion protein, which mediates its uptake into neurons and toxicity. This finding suggests targeting this process may be a promising approach for Alzheimer's drug development.
A study by researchers at UC Santa Cruz reveals the molecular mechanisms behind the 'night owl' sleep disorder, which affects one in 75 people of European descent. The genetic mutation identified alters a key component of the biological clock, causing people to stay up late and sleep in late.
A new study by Tokyo Institute of Technology researchers shows that simple environmental reactions can form reactive thioesters similar to those used in modern biology. The reaction uses a thioacid and sulfur-containing thiol compounds, and may have served as a starting point for the evolution of more complex biochemistry.
Berkeley Lab scientists develop a tool using machine learning algorithms to guide synthetic biology development systematically. The Automated Recommendation Tool (ART) predicts how changes in a cell's DNA or biochemistry will affect its behavior and recommends the next engineering cycle.
Researchers found that even cooked carrots can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, as the allergen Dau c 1 retains its structure when heated. This study highlights the importance of acidity and temperature in triggering immune reactions.
A study published in Soil Biology and Biochemistry found that high soil moisture content can lead to increased carbon dioxide emissions due to accelerated mineralization processes. Protecting meadowlands from bogging may help reduce CO2 emissions and slow down global warming.
A team led by Michigan State University is developing diamond devices to monitor brain biochemistry for early warning signs of Parkinson's disease. The devices aim to detect low levels of dopamine, a chemical neurons use to communicate, and could potentially treat the disease earlier.
Researchers at Florida State University have created a new material for X-ray scintillators that uses an organic manganese halide compound, eliminating the need for lead or heavy metals. This breakthrough technology could pave the way for more affordable and sustainable X-ray detectors.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have discovered a protease inhibitor that effectively inhibits viral replication in cells with SARS-CoV-2. The drug has already shown little to no toxicity and is poised for human clinical trials.
A study led by University of California, Riverside scientists outlines the interaction between the Zika virus and its host's immune system. The research provides valuable information for developing vaccines and antivirals against the virus.
The ASBMB has received a five-year grant from NIGMS to support scientists from diverse backgrounds in preparing for independent careers. The MOSAIC program will provide professional development, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help diversify the professoriate.
The study reveals a deep canyon on the SARS-CoV-2 protein complex where viral RNA binding occurs, suitable for inhibitor development. Researchers identified fundamental characteristics of the Nsp16 and Nsp10 protein complex using X-ray crystallography.
Researchers at Goethe University Frankfurt have identified a promising anti-viral strategy against COVID-19 by targeting the papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2. Inhibiting PLpro can suppress viral production and strengthen innate immune response, offering a potential therapeutic approach to combat the virus.
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered a key mechanism in breaking down nitrogen gas, a crucial step towards developing more efficient and sustainable methods. The breakthrough could lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient ways to produce fertilizers and alternative fuels.
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have identified a protein used by the malaria parasite to protect itself from toxic compounds in red blood cells. This discovery could lead to the development of drugs that block this process, potentially providing valuable insights for treating malaria.