A new therapy for a rare form of cystic fibrosis has been developed using an unconventional approach. The drug, VX-770, was found to open both normal and mutant CFTR channels without the need for ATP, a molecule that normally regulates channel activity.
The ENCODE project has unveiled that over 80% of the human genome is associated with biological function, while proteins switch genes on and off regularly. The study provides insights into genetic information control and expression in specific cell types, shedding light on disease susceptibility.
Research finds that bifidobacteria can process complex glycans linked to proteins in breast milk, providing a new source of energy for at-risk infants. The discovery could lead to the development of probiotics to support premature or malnourished children.
Two studies reveal new genetic mutations in GlyT2 gene that cause startle disease, characterized by exaggerated response to noise and touch. The mutations affect glycine signaling, leading to an abnormal startle response. Discoveries triple the number of known cases with these mutations.
Researchers have discovered a human peptide that effectively blocks HIV entry into cells by targeting specific targets on both the virus and the cells. The peptide, human neutrophil peptide 1, prevents early and late stages of HIV-cell fusion and inhibits viral uptake without compromising cell function.
Scientists studied Agrobacterium tumefaciens, a rod-shaped soil bacterium responsible for crown gall disease in plants. They discovered that the bacterium maintains its linear chromosome through an enzyme called TelA, which forms hairpin loops to protect it.
A recent study published in Journal of Biological Chemistry suggests that exercise is more beneficial than diet control in reducing β-amyloid formation and restoring memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease. The research found that exercise alone can significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
A new mouse model has been developed to study supertasting, a condition where people strongly detect food flavors like bitter and sweet. The model, which overexpresses brain-derived neurotrophic factor, may provide insights into the protective cardiovascular effects of avoiding sweet and fatty foods.
Researchers discovered that NOG enables breast cancer cells to invade bone and establish tumors by increasing osteoclast activity and keeping cells in a stem-cell-like state. This gene plays a key role in the complex process of metastasis, increasing breast cancer's potential for spreading to the bone environment.
A Tulane research team found that applying high levels of oxygen to a severed bone facilitates bone regrowth, particularly when applied at the right time. This discovery may one day benefit injured soldiers, diabetics, and other accident victims with partial limb regeneration.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have identified a protein called endoglin that regulates the creation of fat cells. By decreasing the amount of this protein on the surface of cells, it may be possible to force fat cells to transform into other cell types, potentially leading to new treatments for osteoporosis and obesity.
A recent study by Maggie Louie reveals that prolonged exposure to cadmium can cause breast cancer cells to become more aggressive and develop malignant characteristics. The researchers found that even small concentrations of cadmium at chronic exposures can contribute to the progression of breast cancer.
Researcher Carlos Martino explores how fluctuations in static and radiofrequency magnetic fields impact biochemical reactions. His work shows that low-level fields can inhibit tumor growth and modulate cellular proliferation, offering potential for a therapy based on weak radiofrequency fields.
Researchers found that acupuncture can reverse decreases in muscle mass and mRNA expression levels of muscle-specific atrophic genes. The study holds promise for improving mobility through muscle rejuvenation in the elderly and medical patients.
A study found a potential link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer, suggesting that the protein CYP2E1 plays a direct role in explaining the long-established risk factor. Women who naturally express higher levels of CYP2E1 and consume alcohol may be at a greater risk for developing breast cancer.
Dr. Fernando Antelo's workshop uses Frida Kahlo's artwork to stimulate interest in science and healthcare professions, highlighting her passion for science through her medical imagery. The ASBMB annual meeting in San Diego will feature Dr. Antelo's presentation on this innovative approach.
A Mexican study found that avocado oil's properties can increase yeast cell resistance to harmful free radicals. The antioxidants in avocado oil allow it to thrive even in high concentrations of iron, which produces a large amount of free radicals.
A University of Illinois study reveals that soy protein can alleviate symptoms of fatty liver disease by partially restoring a key signaling pathway. The research found a 20% reduction in triglycerides and overall fat accumulation in the livers of obese rats fed soy, suggesting its potential as a treatment option.
A biochemist is presenting his approach to making science accessible to non-science majors through a cooking class. The class combines food preparation with scientific experiments, allowing students to explore the intersection of chemistry and biology in real-world applications.
Scientists found that Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteria interfere with cells' ability to fight infection, exacerbating the disease in cystic fibrosis patients. Rapamycin, an existing drug, helped control the infection in mice, suggesting autophagy as a potential target for new treatments.
A new potential vaccine carrier, a microemulsion, has been developed by US Army Maj. Jean M. Muderhwa that is both stable and effective for delivering antigens. The microemulsion, composed of five components, has been found to be transparent and liquid, with no degradation after six months.
Preliminary data suggests that neem compounds target the HIV protease, a protein essential for virus replication. Researchers hope that further studies will validate these findings and lead to new HIV-AIDS therapies.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has received a $70,450 NSF grant to improve middle and high school science education. The program includes two workshops and annual mini-grant opportunities for teachers to develop hands-on curricula.
A possible receptor for the key breast cancer regulator Tumor Differentiating Factor (TDF) has been identified by researchers at Clarkson University. The receptor, labeled TDF-R, is found exclusively in breast cancer cells and shows specificity, suggesting its potential as a target for new therapies.
Elisabetta Ullu has been awarded the inaugural Alice and C.C. Wang award for her discovery of RNA interference (RNAi), a novel mechanism of gene silencing that regulates gene expression in parasites. This breakthrough has significant implications for the understanding of parasitic diseases, including African sleeping sickness.
Researchers have discovered a blueprint for how Helicobacter pylori survives in the human gut by exploiting an enzyme called urease to neutralize gastric acid. Disrupting the formation of the molecular machine responsible for this process may lead to new drug targets to combat antibiotic-resistant ulcers and stomach cancer.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology has named 12 scientists as award winners, including Stuart Kornfeld, Lovell Jones, and Susan Marqusee. The awards recognize their outstanding research achievements in various fields, including lipid research, protein folding, and eukaryotic signaling.
A study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reveals that a protein called globin E plays a crucial role in supplying oxygen to the avian retina. This finding helps explain how birds evolved large eyes without a dense network of ocular capillaries, and sheds light on the unique properties of the avian eye.
Scientists have identified heparan sulfate as a crucial molecule in the growth of lymphatic vessels that allow cancer cells to metastasize. By inhibiting heparan sulfate production, researchers may be able to develop new therapies to slow or stop cancer spread.
Melissa J. Moore, a professor at UMass Medical School, has been awarded the ASBMB's 2011 William C. Rose Award for her groundbreaking research on pre-mRNA processing and mRNA metabolism. She is also recognized for her exceptional mentorship and leadership skills.
Axel T. Brunger, a Stanford University professor, has been awarded the inaugural DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences for his work on structural biology and crystallographic refinement methods. The award recognizes his contributions to making computer technology accessible to the scientific community.
Job Dekker, an associate professor at UMass Medical School, has been awarded the Young Investigator Award by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. He developed methods to analyze millions of chromosome interactions in parallel, opening a new field of study.
Dozens of D.C.-area junior high science teachers will partner with college faculty to develop hands-on activities in biochemistry and molecular biology. The partnership aims to encourage students to pursue high-tech studies and careers, starting earlier in their education.
Gutierrez-Hartmann's efforts to encourage underrepresented minorities and mentor students have been recognized with the award. The ASBMB established the award to honor scientists who promote diversity in science.
Brown and Goldstein will present their award lecture on the SREBP pathway and its application to cholesterol regulation at Experimental Biology 2011. The pair's joint discoveries have placed them at the forefront of regulatory biochemistry, a field pioneered by Earl Stadtman.
Johnson was chosen for pioneering site-specific incorporation of non-natural amino acids and biophysical fluorescence approaches to study complex molecular machines. His work remains the most powerful tools to study biochemical systems, emphasizing mentorship over enterprise.
Charles E. Chalfant, a researcher at Virginia Commonwealth University, has won the Avanti Young Investigator Award in Lipid Research for his groundbreaking studies on ceramide and ceramide-1-phosphate. He is recognized for his research productivity and emerging leadership in lipid research.
Yusuf Hannun has pioneered the understanding of bioactive sphingolipids, a class of lipids regulating multiple cell functions. His research group is one of the best-funded lipid research groups in the US.
Cheryl A. Kerfeld, a structural biologist, has won the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology's Award for Exemplary Contributions to Education for her innovative approach to teaching genomics and bioinformatics. Her educational programs have been adopted by over 65 institutions, empowering undergraduate students to ann...
A team at the Kennedy Institute of Rheumatology found that tiny pieces of a protein called tenascin-C can bind to specific sites on another protein, helping to construct tissue. These small domains may help stop uncontrolled matrix deposition in conditions like fibrosis, making them potential tools for controlling diseases.
A team of researchers has discovered that arrestin molecules bind to two rhodopsin molecules in bright light, but one in low light, challenging the long-held assumption of a single binding interaction. This finding has implications for understanding other senses and physiological functions controlled by G-protein coupled receptors.
A recent study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has shed light on how human papillomavirus (HPV) proteins evade the human immune system. The research reveals that HPV's E6 protein can latch onto and inhibit human protein SAP97, preventing its normal function.
A new study published in the Journal of Lipid Research found that oxysterols, previously thought to be associated with multiple sclerosis, are not present in significant amounts in MS patients. The research contradicts a previous study and suggests the potential role of oxysterols in MS needs reconsideration.
Scientists have discovered a close link between elevated iron levels and the production of brain-destroying plaques found in Alzheimer's patients. The findings lay the foundation for new therapies to slow or stop iron buildup, which contributes to the disease.
Researchers found that bariatric surgery significantly improves lipoprotein profiles in women within a year, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Significant weight loss also leads to improvements in glucose homeostasis and lower mortality rates.
A new study reveals that mesenchymal stromal cells from wisdom teeth can be reprogrammed into stem cells, offering a potential source of treatment for patients. The cells displayed varying degrees of robustness and proliferated up to 100 times more efficiently than typical skin-cell-derived iPS cells.
A team led by Drs. Michael A. Matthay and Jae W. Lee found that bone marrow stem cells secreted a protein that restored the lung barrier, preventing fluid and other elements from entering the lungs. The study suggests that this therapy may be a viable option for preventing respiratory failure in critically ill patients.
Researchers found that inhibiting platelet protein CLEC-2 may combat irregular blood clotting and cancer spread. The discovery paves the way for new research on platelets' role in both conditions.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honored 11 researchers with various awards for their groundbreaking contributions to the life sciences. Axel T. Brunger, Michael Brown, Joseph Goldstein, Charles E. Chalfant, Job Dekker, Christine Guthrie, Arthur Gutierrez-Hartmann, Yusuf Hannun, and Arthur E. Johnson received...
Scientists have identified a promising target for a strategic hit in bacteria that could help halt reproduction and reduce the spread of infections. The research, led by Dr. Antonio J. Martín-Galiano and professor José M. Andreu, maps out a protein called FtsZ, which is crucial for bacterial cell division.