Researchers found that prions can adapt and change their properties when transferred between cell lines, evolving into more effective strains. The study suggests the normal prion protein may be an effective therapeutic target for diseases like BSE and CWD.
A consortium of scientists has been awarded $7.5 million to develop novel compounds that could become treatments for nicotine addiction and possibly other drug addictions.
Researchers aim to create new therapeutics using novel insight into fat metabolism, targeting a type of fat cell that burns calories and reduces weight. The study builds on key discoveries about brown fat, a molecular furnace that generates heat by burning calories.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute have made a significant leap forward in finding chemicals needed to reprogram mature human cells and turn them into stem cells. The discovery represents a fundamentally different approach from previous methods and offers a new method for generating induced pluripotent stem cells with defined sma...
Researchers found plasma cells regulate immune response by negatively impacting follicular helper T cells. The discovery has implications for vaccine administration and autoimmunity.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have identified a novel synthetic activator of RORα and RORγ nuclear receptors, which play key roles in human metabolism and immune function. This discovery could lead to new therapeutic approaches for diseases such as diabetes and osteoporosis.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have solved the structure of the dopamine D3 receptor, a crucial step in understanding brain disorders and developing new drugs. The breakthrough could lead to more effective treatments for conditions such as schizophrenia.
William Ja, a Scripps Florida scientist, received $60,000 grant from the Glenn Foundation to continue his work on longevity-enhancing manipulations. He also received a two-year grant of approximately $200,000 for non-surgical sterilization methods for dogs and cats through the Found Animals Foundation.
Scripps Research scientists devise broad new technique for screening proteins, enabling efficient detection of functional sites. The method may have applications in basic research and drug development, allowing researchers to characterize unknown proteins and identify new functional sites on existing ones.
Paul Kenny, a Scripps Research Institute associate professor, has been awarded the Jacob P. Waletzky Memorial Award for his groundbreaking research on drug addiction and compulsive eating. His work reveals new links between molecular mechanisms that drive both behaviors.
Researchers have identified a novel mechanism regulating circadian rhythms that could provide a new target for treating jet lag, shift work, sleep disturbances, diabetes, obesity, and some types of cancer. The discovery offers hope for modulating the body's core clock using synthetic ligands targeting nuclear receptors.
The Scripps Research Institute scientists have found strong evidence that a DNA repair enzyme is involved in the expansion of triplet repeats in the FXN gene, leading to the silencing of the gene and the disease. The study suggests that the enzyme mistakenly identifies the repeat expansions as DNA damage and attempts to repair them.
Researchers found that nerve cell activity regulates balance between stem cells and mature nerve cells in the developing brain. The study suggests that abnormal brain activity may have long-lasting effects on brain development and could lead to new therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
A Scripps Research team has successfully imaged the formation of cells' protein factories using a novel technique. The breakthrough could lead to new antibiotic development and treatments for diseases tied to ribosome errors. The study offers insights into cellular processes and may uncover new targets for therapeutic interventions.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute develop new strategies to identify collections of rare genetic variations associated with common conditions. By analyzing whole genomes, they aim to find genetic predispositions that can inform preventative medicine.
Susana T. Valente receives $240,000 grant from the Landenberger Foundation to explore novel ways to prevent HIV replication. Her research focuses on identifying molecular interactions between retroviruses and host cells.
The Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG), led by Ian A. Wilson, has made significant strides in high-throughput structural genomics, solving over 1,150 structures to date. The JCSG's pipeline has optimized every stage of the process, enabling large numbers of target proteins to be tackled simultaneously.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute uncovered new evidence challenging the current theory of ligand-protein interaction in modern drug design. The study found that ligands can adapt to changing protein structures, binding productively to both active and inactive forms.
Researchers have determined the structure of CXCR4, a protein that guides blood-forming stem cells, and its interactions with chemokine ligands. The findings may lead to new drugs for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and treating HIV infection.
A team at Scripps Research Institute has detailed the structure of a member of the only remaining class of multidrug resistance transporters. The study, published in Nature, may lead to the development of new antibiotics and improve crop agriculture by reengineering the transporter to help plants grow in soil they can't grow in now.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a four-year, $5.1 million grant to develop nanopore strand sequencing, a rapid real-time technology that can sequence a person's DNA in 15 minutes with minimal sample preparation time. The goal is to make genome sequencing cost-efficient and routine medical care possible.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute solved the mystery of protein quality control in eukaryotic organisms, discovering a mechanism that eliminates toxic non-stop proteins. The study reveals that Listerin, conserved across all eukaryotes, tags nascent non-stop proteins with ubiquitin molecules for destruction.
Researchers have identified a new gene required for memory formation in Drosophila, which may have similar functions in humans. The discovery sheds light on neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and could lead to new insights into cognitive enhancement.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation that confers resistance to the antibiotic clindamycin in malaria parasites. The findings suggest that current diagnostic tests may be inadequate and highlight the need for new treatment strategies. This study contributes to our understanding of the genetic basis of drug resistance in malaria.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have discovered the underlying mechanisms that activate gamma delta T cells in the skin and other organs. These cells play a unique role in recognizing damage or disease in epithelial tissues, and their activation is crucial for wound healing.
A research team led by Scripps Research Institute has discovered a promising new drug candidate to treat malaria, which shows an attractive safety profile and potential for treatment in a single oral dose. The study's findings provide hope for the development of new treatments against this deadly disease.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified two proteins, Piezo1 and Piezo2, that play a crucial role in mechanotransduction - the conversion of mechanical force into chemical signals. This discovery could lead to new treatment approaches for pain, deafness, and cardiac function.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have determined the atomic structure of a human adenovirus, leading to insights into its assembly and potential applications in gene therapy. The largest complex ever solved at atomic resolution, this discovery may lead to more effective treatments for diseases such as cystic fibrosis and cancer.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have uncovered a critical role for myosin II in long-term memory formation. Myosin II links together key processes, including signal transmission and synaptic plasticity, to solidify neuronal communication.
Researchers have found that boosting brain levels of 2-AG, a natural painkiller, soon leads to loss of its therapeutic effect due to receptor downregulation. This discovery has implications for drug development and basic science, suggesting that more modest elevations in 2-AG may produce sustained pain relief.
Researchers have discovered a protein called methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) that may control the addictive impact of cocaine in the brain. MeCP2 interacts with microRNA to regulate an individual's motivation to consume cocaine, and its influence can reduce vulnerability to addiction.
Scientists discovered that abnormal prions, a type of infectious protein, can suddenly appear in healthy brain tissue when coated onto metal surfaces. This finding raises questions about the origin of these deadly proteins and their potential role in neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers found that compounds targeting PPARγ can improve insulin sensitivity without promoting fat cell growth, offering a new target for anti-diabetic treatments. The study suggests a unified framework for understanding the relationship between fat cell dysfunction and anti-diabetic therapies.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have identified a specific microRNA that controls cocaine consumption and addiction. MicroRNA-212 was found to be increased in the brains of rats with extended access to cocaine, leading to reduced addictive behavior. This discovery suggests a potential new method for treating cocaine addiction.
Three scientists from Scripps Research will receive funding to develop advanced cancer therapies. Glenn Micalizio, Thomas Bannister, and Douglas Kojetin will explore novel protein targets and cancer treatment pathways.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have determined the structure of an immune system antibody molecule that effectively acts against most strains of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The study advances the effort to develop an AIDS vaccine by providing insights into how broadly neutralizing antibodies work.
Scientists from Scripps Research Institute have developed a novel method to produce molecular structures common to natural molecules, which could accelerate the study and identification of new drugs. The technique enables efficient production of skipped polyenes, shared by vital molecules in human health.
A team of scientists from Scripps Research Institute has discovered a natural molecule in the body that counters the progression of osteoarthritis. MicroRNA 140 (miR-140) acts as a regulator in bone development and is found to be reduced in cartilage samples from osteoarthritis patients.
Researchers identified a specific chemical compound emitted by predators that triggers fearful behavior in mice. The study reveals the importance of the vomeronasal organ in detecting chemical cues and highlights the complexity of brain response to sensory information.
A Scripps Research study has found that the endocannabinoid system, which regulates memory and emotional reactions, can also dampen the effects of alcohol. The research suggests a potential target for developing drugs to treat alcohol addiction.
A Scripps Research Institute team has discovered a mechanism to enhance the cellular folding and function of mutated lysosomal enzymes, which are linked to Gaucher's disease. The researchers used FDA-approved drugs to increase calcium levels in cells from patients with Gaucher's disease, potentially paving the way for clinical trials.
The study found that embryonic stem cell metabolites have highly unsaturated structures compared to mature cells, and levels decrease as they mature. The researchers also discovered a pattern in the chemistry that mirrors the cells' increasing biological maturity.
The Scripps Research Institute has been awarded a $1.3 million grant to develop a series of tests at its Florida campus to explore the potential of GPR119, a protein that regulates glucose balance and weight gain. The goal is to identify small molecule compounds that can be used therapeutically.
Researchers discovered the structure of dynamin, a protein that pinches off tiny pouches from cells' outer membranes, revealing how vesicles form and advancing knowledge of endocytosis. The findings may lead to better ways for delivering drugs.
Researchers at Scripps Research and GNF identify a region of TRPV1 protein that enables temperature sensitivity, shedding light on how temperature receptors work in the human body. The findings could lead to new therapies for conditions such as inflammatory pain.
Researchers found a molecular link between genetic mutations and type 1 diabetes, identifying a critical new target for intervention. The study's findings suggest a way to break 'tolerance' in the immune system, potentially leading to novel antibody or small molecule therapies.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute synthesized a new molecular switch that can turn itself on and off in response to metallic ions. The 'Ouroborand' molecule, named after the mythical lizard, has potential applications in detecting metals, toxins, and pollutants.
Researchers solve the decade-old mystery of fragile human embryonic stem cells by discovering two novel synthetic small molecule drugs that promote cell survival. The team also unravels the mechanisms behind e-cadherin's role in cell signaling, providing a new understanding of stem cell biology and paving the way for potential therapies.
Scientists at Scripps Research Institute found that compulsive eating shares the same molecular mechanisms as cocaine and heroin addiction. In rat models, obesity coincides with a deteriorating chemical balance in reward brain circuitries, leading to compulsive overeating habits.
The Scripps Research Institute team solved the structure of the 'swine flu' virus, revealing similarities with earlier human flu viruses. This discovery helps explain why older individuals were less severely affected by the recent outbreak than younger ones.