Biophysics researchers at the University of Michigan have identified specific molecular vibrations that help enable charge separation in photosynthesis, a process that converts sunlight into chemical energy. The findings could lead to more efficient solar cells and energy storage systems.
A study by Xavier Salvatella and Modesto Orozco reveals the existence of information highways in proteins, enabling new sites for drug interaction. This discovery has the potential to improve drug efficiency and discovery.
Researchers at Kansas State University have identified a new protein, BiP, associated with the neurological disorder dystonia. The study, published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, suggests that modulating BiP could lead to effective treatments for dystonia.
Margaret Cheung, a UH physicist, has been awarded the American Physical Society fellowship for her work on biophysics and its applications to cancer and Alzheimer's research. Her research focuses on understanding protein behavior in cells to develop novel therapeutic strategies.
Scientists create a cost-efficient way to set up thousands of experiments simultaneously using tiny droplets. Their experiment shows that oscillations in the individual droplets differ strongly, with small drops displaying stronger variations than large ones.
The 2014 recipients of the Minority Travel Award are recognized for their participation in biophysics research and their potential to contribute to the field. The winners will present their work at the 58th Annual Meeting, highlighting recent advances in biophysics.
Researchers have found that a drug already approved to treat multiple sclerosis may also slow and potentially reverse cardiac hypertrophy, a disorder that often leads to heart failure. By mimicking certain lipids in the body, FTY-720 significantly reduces heart mass and improves overall cardiac function.
Researchers have found that diapocynin, a synthetic antioxidant molecule, protects neurobehavioral function in mice with Parkinson's Disease symptoms. The treatment prevented expected deficits in motor coordination, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.
A team of researchers at Columbia Engineering has achieved record-breaking temporal resolution in measuring individual ion-channel proteins using miniaturized electronics. This breakthrough enables new understanding of their functions and opens opportunities in biotechnology and biophysics.
Félix Goñi, a renowned researcher, has received the prestigious European Avanti award for his groundbreaking work on cell membrane lipids and their role in programmed cell death. The award recognizes his contributions to the understanding of biophysics of lipids, including metabolism, enzymology, structure, and membranes.
A study by HITS researchers found that most proteins evolved to fold faster, with a 'big bang' of complex structures emerging 1.5 billion years ago. The study suggests that faster folding speeds may make proteins less susceptible to aggregation.
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine identified polycomb-like proteins as key regulators in stem cell development and cancer. The study found that these proteins interact with epigenetic signals to control gene expression, implications for both stem cell biology and cancer development.
Darlene Ketten, a biologist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, has been recognized as an AAAS Fellow for her work on the biophysics of hearing in mammals. She is also developing ultra-high resolution imaging techniques to diagnose hearing impairments.
The Biophysical Society has recognized five individuals with its 2013 awards for their significant contributions to biophysics and biomedical research. Carol Robinson and Joseph Zasadzinski received awards for their innovative work on mass spectrometry and lipid structures, respectively.
The Biophysical Society has named Klaus Schulten, Louis De Felice, and Peter von Hippel as recipients of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award, Emily M. Gray Award, and Founders Award respectively. These honors recognize their contributions to advancing knowledge in biophysics.
Stephen Quake's work has revolutionized biophysics, biological automation, genome analysis, and personalized medicine with innovative physical techniques. His pioneering efforts have enabled answers to previously impossible questions and had profound impact on nearly every area of biology.
Researchers investigated how bacteria like <i> Bacillus subtilis </i> respond to oxygen changes by studying protein HemAT. The study reveals a signal transduction chain that connects the sensor domain to the signalling domain, allowing the protein to transmit information about rising oxygen levels.
Researchers have identified a mechanism by which small heat shock proteins collaborate with other molecular chaperones to disassemble amyloid fibers. This activity could lead to the development of therapeutic applications for neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease.
A study published in PLoS Biology describes a way to break apart beneficial amyloid fibers that can play protective roles in the brain. Human cells have the necessary machinery to clear these fibers, which could lead to new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Saskia B. Neher, a UNC School of Medicine assistant professor, is one of 22 promising scientists to receive the 2012 Pew Scholars award, supporting her research on LPL regulation and its implications for cardiovascular disease.
Lily Jan and Yuh Nung Jan receive the award for their fundamental contributions to understanding potassium channel function, neuronal morphologies, and developmental neuroscience. They have mentored numerous students and postdoctoral fellows, inspiring new generations of researchers.
Researchers at UC Berkeley discovered cockroaches can fling themselves under a ledge to vanish from sight. By leveraging their grappling hook-like claws and swinging like a pendulum, they retain most of their running energy.
Researchers have identified a genetic variant in a cardiac protein that increases the risk of heart rhythm dysfunction and sudden death in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. The variant, known as Ser96Ala, affects calcium regulation in heart cells, leading to arrhythmias and increased mortality.
Scientists at Oregon State University have discovered that curcumin can increase levels of a protein that helps prevent infection, highlighting its potential as an alternative to vitamin D. The study found curcumin causes a modest but measurable increase in cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (CAMP) levels.
Researchers used ultrafast spectroscopy to study the initial stage of photosynthesis, observing a single photon exciting different chromophores simultaneously. This discovery hints at more efficient natural light-harvesting processes, potentially influencing efforts to create artificial materials and devices.
Recent advances in nanopore sequencing, developed by Stuart Lindsay, demonstrate improved DNA reads and can pinpoint individual bases with greater than 90% accuracy. This technology has the potential to become ubiquitous at a cost below $1000 per genome.
A study by the University of Wisconsin found an association between sleep disordered breathing and increased cancer mortality. The researchers analyzed data from 1,522 subjects and found that those with mild, moderate, or severe SDB had a higher risk of cancer mortality compared to those without SDB.
A team of physicists and biologists discovered that protein Cdc42 oscillates throughout yeast cells, regulating shape and function. This oscillatory mechanism may be a general strategy among all self-organizing biological systems.
A DNA replication protein called Cdt1 is involved in both DNA replication and mitosis, a later step of the cell cycle. This discovery provides a possible explanation for why many cancers have genomic instability and an abnormal number of chromosomes.
Scientists have found that kinesins, molecular motors responsible for transporting proteins and chromosomes, exhibit spiral motion during transport. This finding challenges the long-held assumption of straight-line movement, suggesting a new perspective on their role in cell function.
Patel's research uses novel computer modeling methods to study the biophysics of model cell membranes, revealing non-intuitive behavior of polar molecules. The NSF Career Award will also support a new computational-chemistry course for Newark High School students.
University of Pennsylvania chemists developed a theoretical method and computer algorithm to search for proteins that can crystallize into a target structure. They successfully created the first custom-designed protein crystal, paving the way for better understanding of proteins' makeup and designing new materials.
Researchers have developed a new approach using compressed sensing to resolve cellular features an order of magnitude smaller than before. This allows for the study of dynamic processes in live cells with seconds or even sub-second temporal resolution.
Researchers have developed a cost-effective method for three-dimensional RNA structure prediction, enabling scientists to understand the functions of RNA molecules that dictate human cell behavior. The technique has the potential to help identify new therapeutic targets for diseases.
A new study suggests that targeting the glucagon pathway could be an effective way to lower blood sugar levels without disrupting other functions of this hormone. Researchers found that blocking calcium signaling through CaMKII can regulate hepatic glucose production, leading to improved insulin sensitivity and reduced liver fat.
A multi-institutional team of researchers has identified two genes as 'genuine risk factors' for autism spectrum disorders. The study, published in Nature, used massively parallel sequencing to search for mutations that might affect autism risk and found that these genes are functionally related and physically interact with each other.
Researchers have identified three active variants of a conotoxin that blocks the transmission of pain signals in nerves. These venomous peptides, derived from cone snails, show great promise for developing new painkillers with minimal dependency and faster degradation rates.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found evidence that BPA can alter the structure of the uterus, leading to increased susceptibility to pyometra, a potentially deadly infection. In animal models, exposure to BPA induced immune cell numbers in the uteri, which were five-fold higher than control animals.
The University of Colorado has developed a novel technique for 3D super-resolution imaging with the help of Boulder-based Double Helix LLC. This technology combines 3D optics and signal processing to provide multifunctional imaging capability, applicable to various scientific, industrial, and consumer applications.
Researchers found that chronic stress in adolescence leads to a loss of glutamate receptor expression and function, resulting in impaired memory and recognition. Disrupting the enzymes responsible for this loss may prevent cognitive impairment induced by repeated stress exposure.
Biophysicists have elucidated the switching mechanism of channelrhodopsin, a protein crucial for optogenetics. The research sheds light on how water molecules penetrate the cell membrane, enabling the protein to conduct ions. This breakthrough paves the way for more precise neurobiological applications.
A study published in Nature found a link between the circadian clock and sudden cardiac death, revealing that the controller of the circadian clock, Klf15, affects potassium flow out of heart muscle cells. This can lead to abnormal heart rhythms and increased risk of deadly arrhythmias.
New studies by a Yale team reveal that interfering with the adolescent brain's defensive reaction to cocaine increases sensitivity to the drug. This finding may help explain why risk of drug abuse and addiction peaks during teenage years.
A team at Karolinska Institutet has generated a map of the effects of small molecules on PARP1 and other proteins, which may explain putative side effects and contribute to new cancer therapies. The study's results provide unique insights into specificity and cross-reactivity of PARP inhibitors.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo discovered how parkin gene mutations cause Parkinson's disease by studying live human neurons. The study identified potential new drug targets and a screening platform to discover treatments, providing hope for a cure.
Researchers studied the role of immune responses in oncolytic adenovirus therapy and found that CD8+ T cells mediate antitumor efficacy. The study proposes a new therapeutic regime combining oncolytic adenovirus with immunotherapy.
Researchers from Rice University and UCSD decipher part of mitoNEET's movements using laboratory experiments and computer modeling. They found that the protein can switch between conformations without unfolding, altering the shape of its critical pocket.
Michael Deem, a computational theorist, is being honored with the engineering award for fundamental theoretical work on vaccine design, mathematical biology, and nanoporous materials structure. His research has led to breakthroughs in understanding immunology, evolution, and materials science.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have identified the critical sugar chain produced by the LARGE enzyme, which plays a crucial role in maintaining muscle cell viability. The study's findings could lead to rapid testing of potential muscular dystrophy therapies and treatments for Lassa fever.
A compound called AICAR has been found to prevent heat-induced deaths in mice with a gene mutation that makes them sensitive to heat. The study's findings suggest that AICAR could protect young athletes and soldiers from heat-related illnesses, potentially saving lives during exercise.
Researchers have discovered that flatworms can regenerate without centrosomes, a cellular structure essential for cell division in all animals. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that centrosomes are crucial for cell division.
The University of Louisville has introduced a new transcatheter aortic-valve replacement (TAVR) procedure to treat severe aortic stenosis, allowing patients to avoid traditional open-heart surgery. The procedure involves implanting a biological valve through a catheter and expanding it with a balloon.
A team of chemists at the University of Pennsylvania has developed a method to watch proteins fold in real-time, allowing for a better understanding of protein folding and misfolding. This technique uses infrared spectroscopy to analyze structural changes as a function of time, providing insights into protein folding mechanisms.
Researchers found changes in motor cortex of the brain in patients with spinal cord compression, which may impact surgical procedures and patient outcomes. The study also identified a 15% decrease in N-acetylaspartate levels, suggesting potential implications for reversibility and treatment.
Researchers found that heart problems in Rett syndrome originate from the loss of the Rett gene (MeCP2) in nerve cells, not heart muscle cells. Abnormalities in brain activity can lead to cardiac malfunctions and death.
A study by UC Irvine researchers found that CKD causes depletion of adhesive proteins in the intestines, leading to systemic inflammation and cardiovascular complications. The findings could lead to novel treatments to curb this inflammation and its adverse consequences.
A team of researchers at RUB discovered how the human nose distinguishes between similar smells by analyzing the 3D structure of olfactory receptors and hydrogen bridge patterns. They found a specific pattern of chemical bonds that account for the specificity of olfactory sensors.
A new molecular imaging probe using ghrelin exploits the hunger hormone's unique consumption pattern by malignant prostate cancer cells. The test showed the signal was almost 5 times stronger in malignant cancer cells than in normal or benign cells.
The Biophysical Society has announced the winners of its Minority Affairs Committee travel awards, which support participation at the Annual Meeting by minority students and early career scientists. The recipients include 12 researchers from diverse backgrounds who will present their research in San Diego.
The Biophysical Society has announced 2012 CPOW Travel Award winners, recognizing postdoctoral female researchers presenting at the conference. The award aims to increase participation of women in biophysics.