Biochemists from Trinity College Dublin have discovered indolepyruvate, a metabolic by-product of trypanosome activity, which may offer possibilities for developing anti-trypanosome drugs. Inhibiting its production could be key in fighting the parasite, which causes sleeping sickness and kills millions in sub-Saharan Africa.
Lung cancer is expected to result in an estimated 158,080 deaths in 2016 due to limited treatment options. Researchers are exploring signals within lung cancer cells that cause them to grow quickly and spread to other organs like the liver.
Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have developed a novel immunotherapy strategy that targets specific types of cancer while minimizing side effects. They aim to create new and more effective immunotherapies by modulating T cells with a fusion protein.
Scientists have discovered an enzyme called ALKBH1 that can remove molecular modifications from transfer RNA (tRNA), causing a measurable effect on protein translation in the cell. This finding sheds new light on how cells control gene expression and suggests that tRNA influences cellular processes beyond protein translation.
A new University of Toronto study reveals widespread differences in protein biochemistry between healthy and diseased hearts, shedding light on the molecular causes behind dilated cardiomyopathy. The researchers mapped changes in protein signalling pathways, uncovering hundreds of signalling pathways that go off course in DCM hearts.
Researchers develop genetically engineered peptides to transmit information between biological systems and synthetic materials, enabling a coherent bioelectronic interface. The discovery enables the creation of biomolecular solid-state devices with potential applications in biomedical and electro-optical devices.
Scientists discovered the mechanism behind E. coli's ability to spread and cause cystitis by developing an artificial bladder model. The research found that the bacteria alter their form to become long and thin, improving their attachment to the bladder wall and evading immune response. This discovery offers hope for new treatment stra...
Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine discover a novel protein called PTRF linked to type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance. The study finds that most obese individuals develop insulin resistance despite having normal fat cells.
The team's genome sequence will stimulate new research in molecular studies of insects and may lead to improved pest management methods. The sequenced genome provides insights into the tobacco hornworm's physiology, particularly its unique ability to evade insecticides.
The sequencing of the tobacco hornworm's genome marks a major milestone in understanding insect biology. The genome provides valuable insights into the insect's physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology, with potential applications in developing new methods for insect pest management.
The sequencing of the tobacco hornworm moth's genome has opened new avenues for research, including understanding insect physiology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. The study identified over 600 genes involved in defense against pathogens, highlighting the potential for genetic insights into this important agricultural pest.
A team of University of Houston researchers has identified novel regulators of heart formation, including microRNAs, which can convert human fibroblasts into heart muscles. These findings hold promise for treating human heart attack and subsequent heart failure within the next five to 10 years.
Researchers found that cancers in several species of bivalves are caused by independent clones of cancer cells with distinct genetic profiles. In one species, cross-species transmission was observed, revealing a previously unknown mechanism of disease spread among marine animals.
A new technology called Maximum Depth Sequencing (MDS) can accurately read the order of DNA code and reveal how bacteria use high-speed evolution to defeat antibiotics. MDS also promises to enable earlier cancer diagnosis by detecting rare genetic changes in human cell populations.
A new online biochemistry course is designed to introduce students aged 15-19 to molecular bioscience and encourage further study. The Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) offers supplementary learning materials and aims to reduce barriers for entry into STEM courses.
Researchers developed Camelid antibodies against serine proteases to study catalysis and inhibition. These findings have significant implications for disease treatment and diagnosis involving these enzymes.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new process that triggers targeted reactions using red or near-infrared light or a tiny dose of an enzyme. This breakthrough has significant implications for medicine and engineering, particularly in drug delivery and tissue engineering.
A study published in Science reveals that a molecule called ppGpp enables bacteria to repair damage to their DNA, including that caused by antibiotics. Adjusting the action of ppGpp may make bacteria more vulnerable to existing antibiotics, potentially yielding future solutions for antibiotic resistance and degenerative diseases.
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that DNA's regulatory regions resemble a poetic language, composed of coding and regulatory elements. By analyzing variants of a key protein and applying mathematical models, the team was able to identify conserved properties in other sequences, enabling them to 'read' the genome.
A new approach aims to identify planets orbiting nearby stars that support life by focusing on creating a comprehensive list of molecules in their atmospheres. Researchers have searched for thousands of potentially biogenic gas molecules, sparking new research into identifying larger molecules and their potential as signs of life.
The Werner Siemens Foundation has donated 11.5 million euros to support the launch of Synthetic Biotechnology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). This new focus integrates research approaches from biochemistry, bioinformatics, and industrial biotechnology.
Researchers found that acidity can reactivate dormant N3A receptors, causing neurons to become more sensitive to glutamate, which can kill them. This finding sheds light on the role of N3A receptors in brain function and may lead to new treatments for strokes, seizures, and schizophrenia.
UCLA biochemists have devised a method to convert sugar into various useful chemical compounds without using cells. The approach, called synthetic biochemistry, has shown promise in producing complex enzyme systems that can function well enough for industrial applications.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honored prominent researchers with various awards, including the Herbert Tabor Research Award, FASEB Excellence in Science Award, and ASBMB Plenary Lectures. These recognition include notable scientists such as Robert G. Roeder, Bonnie L. Bassler, Peter Walter, Charles Brenner...
Baylor College of Medicine researchers have developed a new mathematical tool that combines biochemistry and computational analysis to identify specific structural changes in the dopamine 2 receptor, which helps maintain its structure and function throughout an evolutionary time scale. This discovery opens the possibility for better dr...
Protein aggregates are toxic and contribute to nerve cell death in diseases like Alzheimer's and Huntington's. The study reveals missing stop signals lead to long lysine chains blocking ribosomes, allowing defective proteins to accumulate and form toxic aggregates.
The UT Health Science Center at San Antonio's UltraScan software helped confirm the structure of a protein complex that enables viral infection, as reported in a recent Nature publication. The technology utilizes advanced coding and analytical ultracentrifugation to deliver sophisticated biological metrics.
Researchers develop a universal theory to describe single-molecule temporal resolution, enabling real-time observation of macromolecules in live cells. This breakthrough allows for the study of chemistry and biochemistry at a single-molecule level.
Florida State University researchers are working on a new approach to deciphering genetic data that may lead to more targeted prostate cancer treatments. They identified altered signal pathways in prostate cancer, which could help pinpoint genetic changes that matter in cancer development and progression.
The 2016 ASBMB meeting featured scientific symposia on various topics including bioinorganic catalysis, cell signaling, chemical biology, chromatin organization, DNA replication, education, and glycoscience. Key researchers like Aziz Sancar will present their work on DNA repair and precision medicine.
Scientists at Stockholm University have successfully determined the structure of the sodium/proton transporter NapA using x-ray crystallography. This breakthrough provides a complete picture of the transport process, revealing key movements and steps involved in regulating sodium levels within cells.
Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University discovered that both strands of a tiny microRNA are active in suppressing genes in triple negative breast cancer cells. This breakthrough enables the design of specific blockers of one microRNA strand without imitating the opposite strand, opening a pathway to new treatments.
Scientists have successfully mapped the atomic structure of a protein bound to microtubules, revealing insights into neurodegenerative diseases. The study used magic-angle-spinning NMR spectroscopy to visualize the dynamic interactions between CAP-Gly and microtubules.
Saint Louis University's Vaccine and Treatment Evaluation Unit will study the safety and effectiveness of vaccines using omics technologies, including transcriptomics, proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics. The research aims to understand the immune system's response to infectious diseases.
A recent study published in PNAS has shed light on the mechanism of action of HigB, a bacterial toxin that contributes to antibiotic resistance. The researchers found that HigB selectively degrades specific mRNAs, leading to the formation of persister cells that are tolerant to antibiotics.
Researchers from UCLA and UC Berkeley have produced high-resolution images of the telomerase enzyme, revealing its structural details and interactions. The study sheds light on telomerase's role in aging and cancer, providing potential new strategies for treating disease.
UT Southwestern researchers have developed a classification model for cancers caused by KRAS, the most frequently mutated gene in cancer. The model helps predict the propensity of different KRAS mutants to signal through RAF kinase and could lead to more effective targeted therapies.
Researchers have collected over 1,500 genetic samples from various ethnic groups to study the genome of the Volga Tatar people. The findings could lead to more effective treatments by identifying genetic markers for diseases.
A Kansas State University biochemist has modified a nonfood oilseed crop to produce high levels of lipids with unique properties. The researchers achieved very high levels of an oil with reduced viscosity and improved cold temperature characteristics, making it suitable for biofuels, industrial applications, and even food-related uses.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum have successfully manufactured biocatalysts suitable for industrial applications by harnessing the power of cyanobacteria's photosynthesis. The production process uses carbon dioxide and water as source materials, eliminating the need for mineral oil-based resources.
The ASBMB's Minority Affairs Committee has received a $500,000 NSF grant to support its Interactive Mentoring Activities for Grantsmanship Enhancement (IMAGE) program. The program aims to promote diversity in the scientific workforce by providing grantsmanship skills and career-development strategies to postdoctoral fellows and early-c...
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology recommends eight steps to make the scientific enterprise sustainable, including predictable funding and reduced regulations. The recommendations aim to spur action and implement changes at institutions and within the government.
Researchers have developed a microscope instrument that can accurately measure the 3D movement of individual molecules over many hours, far beyond current limits. This technology has potential applications in biology, biochemistry, and biophysics, including tracking protein motions and characterizing nanoscale objects.
Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified two proteins responsible for initiating the labor process, which control genes for pulmonary surfactant components that promote labor. Surfactant is essential for normal breathing outside the womb. Understanding these molecular mechanisms may help prevent preterm birth.
A team of scientists has developed a new method to visualize the growth of complex self-assembled nanostructures in liquids, enabling detailed understanding of their formation. This breakthrough will facilitate future advances in nanotechnology.
Dying daughter cells release protein Pvf1, binding to nearby mother stem cells' receptors, preventing apoptosis. This allows stem cells to survive until they can regenerate damaged tissue. The discovery may lead to new cancer treatments by targeting protective signals in tumor-initiating cells.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry have analyzed the protein composition of the DNA replication machinery in response to damaged DNA. They found that over 90 proteins are recruited to aid in repair, including many known factors as well as new proteins with unknown functions.
Chemists at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a simple modular system that can attach proteins to cell membranes with precise control. The system uses light-activated anchors and SNAP-tags to direct protein movements, enabling researchers to study cellular processes in unprecedented detail.
The UT Arlington team, led by Brian Dennis, Krishnan Rajeshwar, and Norma Tacconi, will design and build a microfluidic electrochemical reactor to recover oxygen from carbon dioxide. The goal is to achieve an oxygen recovery rate of 75% or more.
At American University, chemistry majors take charge of their research projects, allowing them to develop skills in problem-solving, critical thinking, and self-motivation. The program's success has led to improved student engagement and satisfaction, with some students publishing research articles and receiving grants.
Researchers at the University of Granada have discovered that specific microRNAs can deactivate the SMARCA4 gene, a tumor suppressor. This finding opens up new avenues for diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer.
Researchers sequenced Hessian fly genome, discovering rapidly evolving genes that hijack plant biochemistry. The study sheds light on the insect's ability to create growth-stunting galls in wheat by mimicking normal proteins in plant cells.
The study reveals a key role of Cas9 protein in recognizing viral sequences, leading to the destruction of viruses and potentially correcting mutations that cause human disease. The discovery sheds light on the complex process by which bacteria defend against viruses.
Abl and Src proteins have distinct evolutionary paths, allowing Brandeis researchers to pinpoint specificity for Gleevec. Their findings pave the way for rational drug design in various cancers.
Researchers at the University of Colorado School of Medicine have discovered an RNA structure-based signal that bridges evolutionary divergence between bacteria and eukaryotes, enabling protein synthesis. This finding challenges long-held assumptions about the molecular signals initiating protein synthesis in these distinct life forms.
Researchers developed a comprehensive computer model to simulate blood cell development, which could help identify promising pathways to target with drugs. The model has been validated through laboratory experiments and shows potential for reducing the risk of drug failure in leukaemia research.
Researchers at UCSB's Reich Group have developed a method for spatially and temporally controlling the release of proteins inside cells using near-infrared laser-activated nanocarriers. This technology allows for targeted protein delivery, enabling new avenues for basic research and therapeutic applications.
A $10 million project will improve cassava's biomass and starch yield using metabolic engineering and genomics. The goal is to secure food supply for a growing world population, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.
OU professors Dr. Daniel Resasco and Dr. Paul Weigel have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors for their innovative contributions to fields like chemical engineering and biochemistry. Their research has led to significant advancements in industries such as energy, healthcare, and biotechnology.
A recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that losing 10 kilograms of fat requires 29 kilograms of oxygen to be inhaled, producing 28 kilograms of carbon dioxide and 11 kilograms of water. Most doctors, dieticians, and personal trainers incorrectly believe that the missing mass is converted into energy or heat.