Researchers created a lab-grown population of E. coli bacteria that became resistant to ionizing radiation through genetic mutations and enhanced DNA repair mechanisms. This breakthrough could lead to the development of radiation-resistant bacteria for environmental clean-up, cancer therapy protection, and astronaut protection in space.
A review published in Advances in Nutrition suggests that noncaloric sweeteners have a negligible impact on daily energy intake and do not significantly alter the composition of human gut microbiota. The study concludes that there is not enough evidence to support adverse effects on health, including cancer or diabetes risk.
Researcher Jianhai Du finds that tumor cells hijack glucose metabolism to fuel cancer growth, while retina cells use it to renew photoreceptor membranes. MPC1 protein plays a critical role in regulating glucose uptake in both cell types.
Researchers at Arizona State University have found that biochemistry is governed by general organizing principles, applicable from individual organisms to ecosystems and the biosphere as a whole. These universal principles can help constrain the emergence of life on other planets.
Biological imaging experts at Colorado State University have used a custom fluorescence microscope to capture individual RNA molecules interacting with stress granules. The results show that RNA translation is completely silenced before the RNAs enter the stress granules, providing unprecedented details of the cellular stress response.
A recent study published in Scientific Reports found that smokers demonstrate a higher aging ratio and are predicted to be twice as old as their chronological age compared to nonsmokers. The study used blood biochemistry and artificial intelligence to analyze the impact of smoking on biological age.
A recent study found that a long-mysterious PCSK9 mutation leads to heart disease by disrupting the interaction between PCSK9 and the LDL receptor. The researchers discovered that a specific sugar chain, heparan sulfate proteoglycan, plays a crucial role in this interaction.
Northwestern University scientists discovered two successful therapies that slowed pediatric leukemia progression in mice, according to recent studies. The research focused on stabilizing the MLL protein, which can slow cancer growth and increase survival rates.
Researchers have designed proteins that zip together like DNA molecules, paving the way for protein nanomachines and precise cell engineering. This technique enables the design of machines that can diagnose and treat disease, engineer cells, and perform various tasks.
Researchers found that vorinostat effectively inhibited HPV DNA amplification and virus production in preclinical experiments. Additionally, the treatment induced programmed cell death in infected cells. The study suggests that HDAC inhibitors could be promising compounds for treating benign HPV infections.
A protein thought to be inert actually helps protect the lens of the eye from cataract formation. The protein's disulfide bond can drive damaged proteins to aggregate, leading to clouding and cataracts.
Scientists developed a new method to produce nanodiamonds and silicon carbide with defined defects, utilizing neutron irradiation in nuclear reactors. This approach enables the efficient production of rare nanomaterials for medical applications, including cancer diagnostics.
Scientists at IOCB Prague have discovered a previously unknown passive mechanism by which positively charged short peptides can penetrate cells. This process is based on membrane fusion induced by the transported peptides and shares the same mechanistic basis as known processes in neurons during nerve impulses.
Yale-NUS researchers have discovered a combination of pharmaceutical drugs that extend healthy lifespan and delay ageing in microscopic worms. The study, published in Developmental Cell, lays crucial groundwork for further research into designing drug combinations that produce the same effect in mammals.
A new study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has identified a human RNA molecule called nc886 as a potent activator of the innate immune system. The RNA molecule's ability to turn on protein OAS sets off a chain of events that destroys viruses.
The decoded genome of Ulva mutabilis reveals that the seaweed has stolen genes from bacteria to adapt to stresses like excessive light and dehydration. This discovery provides insights into how evolution acts on genomes to modify biology and may help predict future trends under climate change.
Aggressive breast cancer cells exploit the natural stress protector heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) to thrive and evade cell death, says a new study. The finding highlights how cancer cells manipulate tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), which normally promotes self-destruction, to aid their survival.
A Rutgers-led study reveals how green algae adapted to tolerate hostile conditions by stealing genes from bacteria, providing clues for engineering more resilient algae. The findings suggest that these hardy species can survive climate change and offer potential solutions for biofuel production and other applications.
Scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have discovered a novel type of lignin, C-lignin, that can be refined into various bioproducts with high yields and minimal processing. This breakthrough has the potential to transform agricultural markets by utilizing a previously underutilized plant biomass.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a way to target migrating cancer cells, responsible for tumor metastases, using novel agents 135H11 and 135H12. These potent agents can block EphA2, an oncogene that spreads cancer, preventing cell migration and degradation.
A synthetic organelle created in a lab modelled membraneless organelles found to drive efficient sugar processing by balancing substrate and enzyme interactions. Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology used this setup to explore cellular biochemistry, discovering unexpected nuances in organelle chemistry.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have created a new class of fluorescent dyes, called nanohoops, that can be used to track multiple biological activities in live cells. These circular structures emit colors based on their size and can be guided to specific sites within cells.
Computer simulation models how toxic proteins spread through the brain to reproduce patterns of atrophy associated with Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases. The model reveals that biochemistry and connectivity play key roles in mediating disease progression.
Researchers identify glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the protein responsible for delivering heme, a toxic yet essential molecule, to target proteins in cells. This discovery provides insights into how heme is transported and could contribute to understanding diseases such as anemias and asthma.
A team of researchers from Clemson University and two other institutions is working to understand the genetics and structural mechanics behind stalk lodging in corn and sorghum. The study aims to break down complex traits into smaller, intermediate characteristics that can be easily grasped at both genetic and structural levels.
Researchers outline a novel view of biochemistry as a signaling game between genes and their associated macromolecules, where sender and receiver interactions lead to biochemical reactions. This approach reveals the presence of molecular deception and conflict of interest between gene players, with potential implications for understand...
Researchers are mapping the function of specific enzymes that may facilitate the development of new drugs to fight bacterial infections and cancer. The study could also potentially help against neurodegenerative diseases such as autism, Down syndrome, Parkinson's disease, and Alzheimer's.
Researchers have identified three known SNAREs and a new protein Ykt6 as essential for the fusion of autophagosomes with vacuoles, allowing for efficient cellular waste recycling. This breakthrough study sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying autophagy, a vital process in maintaining cellular homeostasis.
Researchers at Vanderbilt University have identified a key enzyme that drives neuron death in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS. The enzyme histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) modifies a molecular motor that triggers signaling agents to travel down the axon, killing the neuron.
Jeff Gelles to receive 2019 BPS Kazuhito Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics, recognizing his exceptional contributions to single-molecule studies and cross-disciplinary research. The award aims to promote further developments in the field, advancing an appreciation of single-molecule biophysics among scientists.
Researchers from University of North Carolina and University of Auckland have made a significant advance in resolving the mystery of genetic translation. Their analysis reveals previously hidden rules by which key translational molecules interact, suggesting that simpler ancestors of these molecules worked together at the dawn of life.
UCLA researchers have discovered a chemical reaction that uses non-classical carbocations to convert alkanes from petroleum waste into more chemically useful compounds. The finding introduces new ways to break apart strong bonds in alkanes and has practical potential for processing unwanted waste products.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine discovered that sugar-binding proteins called lectins are essential for social amoebas and bacteria living together. Lectins protect bacteria from being killed by amoebas and mediate the establishment of a microbiome, allowing bacteria to transfer genetic material to the amoeba.
Twelve scientists were recognized with prestigious ASBMB awards, including the ASBMB Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education, ASBMB-Merck Award, and Earl and Thressa Stadtman Scholar Award. The winners are known for their groundbreaking research in biochemistry and molecular biology.
Researchers have discovered the secret to the RSAD2 gene's success: an enzyme that generates a compound called ddhCTP, which sabotages viral replication by disrupting CTP conversion. This finding could form the basis for potent new antiviral drugs with a favorable safety profile.
A MSU chemistry professor has been awarded a $356,598 grant to develop new methods for gathering rare medical isotopes. The goal is to enable targeted alpha therapy for metastatic cancer and advance research in fields like astrophysics and biochemistry.
Researchers investigated brown fat cells after whitening, finding they are more likely to die than white adipocytes. Whitened fat tissue also shows increased inflammation and macrophages. The ketogenic diet regulates metabolites but not brain levels, suggesting changes in plasma metabolism may not always cross the blood-brain barrier.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have isolated a protein supercomplex from a bacterial membrane that generates a voltage across the bacterial membrane, enabling efficient ATP production. The study's findings will inform future efforts to obtain the atomic structures of large membrane protein supercomplexes.
Thirumala-Devi Kanneganti and Luke O'Neill were awarded the 2018 Seymour & Vivian Milstein Award for their major advances in understanding how our bodies recognize and respond to pathogens, leading to profound clinical benefits in treating diseases. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to cytokine and interferon research.
A team of researchers used computational simulations to gain insights into how an enzyme activates and shuts off phospholipid production. The study's results could help understand why small changes in the enzyme lead to conditions like blindness and dwarfism.
Researchers at UTA are investigating the biochemical mechanism of ovarian hormones regulating cholesterol balance in the blood, aiming to open up new therapeutic avenues for treating cardiovascular disease. The study may lead to preventive treatments and customized therapies.
A study led by Rutgers University scientists has found that a fungus causing devastating rice disease became harmful 21 million years ago. The researchers identified key genes and proteins that promote the infection process, offering insights into developing new fungicides and quarantines to combat crop diseases.
Researchers at UPV/EHU's Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology have identified the changes in proteins altered by the UBE3A enzyme, which leads to Angelman syndrome. The study explains how a single gene can affect brain function, providing new insights into the disease's complexity.
A Penn study reveals that nuclear-import receptors can reverse the formation of disease-causing protein clumps in brain disorders like frontotemporal dementia and ALS. By increasing NIR expression, researchers were able to dissolve clumps, return functional proteins to the nucleus and extend lifespan in fruitfly models.
The study reveals that a slight change in the substrate can practically stop an enzyme reaction. Computational design of a new variant was successfully produced and tested, demonstrating the method's accuracy and potential for future research.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) has announced its annual award lecturers, who will present at the Annual Meeting in San Diego from April 21-25. The awards recognize outstanding contributions to biochemistry and molecular biology.
Scientists at NIDA uncovered evidence of a more complex role for GPCRs, suggesting a conceptual advance in biochemistry and pharmacology. The discovery reveals that GPCRs form part of pre-coupled macromolecular complexes that act as computing devices to gather and process information.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin have discovered a potential 'off-switch' for inflammation by identifying the molecule itaconate, which can block production of inflammatory factors and protect against lethal inflammation. This breakthrough could lead to new anti-inflammatory medicines for diseases such as arthritis and heart disease.
Researchers have developed a new device that uses fluorescence to detect ions and identify the product of a rare radioactive decay called neutrinoless double-beta decay. The discovery could provide insight into the nature of the neutrino, which may offer an explanation for the universe's matter-antimatter imbalance.
Researchers at the University of Johannesburg have discovered a new family of economical silver-based complexes that show very promising results against various human cancers. These complexes, such as UJ3, are selective and have low toxicity, making them a potential alternative to existing chemotherapy drugs.
Defects in a nuclear receptor, LXRβ, in the brain's dentate gyrus have been linked to autism spectrum disorders. Early changes in neurogenesis of this region may provide an aberrant template for social function circuitry.
Scientists at Iowa State University have used leftover blood donor cells to gain insights into how natural killer cells interact with antibodies. They found that the carbohydrate modifications on these cells result in higher affinity, potentially leading to improved antibody therapies.
Researchers studied angiogenin's entry into central nervous system cells to better understand its role in brain diseases like ALS and dementia. The study found that angiogenin uptake has multiple biochemical pathways, revealing a more intricate mechanism than initially thought.
Researchers at Stanford have discovered how a disease-associated protein gets inactivated, potentially paving the way for new treatments for celiac disease. The discovery of ERp57, an enzyme that re-forms a disulfide bond to turn off TG2, raises questions about its functions in healthy people and could lead to targeted therapies.
Scientists have decoded the three-dimensional molecular structure of the healthy human huntingtin protein, enabling its functional analysis. This breakthrough could contribute to the development of new treatments for Huntington's disease.
Researchers are developing synthetic antimicrobial materials that target toxic bacteria while being biocompatible with healthy mammalian cells. The goal is to create new therapeutic platforms to combat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers at Florida State University have developed a new strategy for synthesizing olympicene, a highly versatile molecule with potential applications in nanoscale materials. The breakthrough, published in Angewandte Chemie, enables the production of structurally precise carbon-rich nanostructures.
Researchers have discovered a novel luciferin chemical in New Zealand glowworms that produces light through an entirely new chemical reaction. This unique chemistry may be used in laboratory experiments to monitor cancer cells or identify infectious diseases.
Researchers from IOCB Prague and IP CAS demonstrate a strong converse piezoelectric effect at individual molecules of heptahelicene derivative on a silver surface. The study provides new insights into the electromechanical behavior of individual molecules, opening up possibilities for nanoscale molecular devices.
Researchers have developed a new method, DropSynth, to synthesize thousands of genes at once, reducing the cost from $50-$100 to $2 per gene. This breakthrough enables scientists to test hypotheses and analyze large numbers of cells with ease.