Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Cornell researchers reveal molecular basis of vision

Researchers at Cornell University have solved the three-dimensional structure of a protein complex involved in vertebrate vision at atomic resolution, revealing how signals from photons are amplified in the eye. The study provides insights into G-protein-coupled receptors and their role in human vision, with potential implications for ...

SourceCornell University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateSep 30, 2019

Poverty as disease trap

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease affecting 200 million people worldwide, can't be cured with current approaches due to poverty's role. Researchers found that mass drug administration programs fail to eradicate the disease, as treated individuals re-expose themselves to contamination.

SourceStanford University·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateSep 3, 2019

Designer drugs to inhibit hepatitis A virus

Researchers have identified a promising compound, golvatinib, that inhibits hepatitis A virus infection. The discovery was made possible by combining high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy and molecular modeling to understand the structural basis of neutralization.

SourcePLOS·JournalPLOS Biology·DateApr 30, 2019

A good night's sleep may be in sight

Researchers have developed 3D models of the two melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2, which will help design drugs that interact only with these receptors, reducing side effects. The findings could lead to new treatments for sleep disorders, diabetes, cancers, and other health issues affected by melatonin.

Nitrogen gets in the fast lane for chemical synthesis

Rice University scientists have developed a novel method to incorporate nitrogen into molecules, bypassing traditional multi-step processes. This breakthrough enables the quick and efficient production of valuable alpha-aminoketones, which are crucial for drug design and synthesis.

SourceRice University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateFeb 8, 2019

Leukemia epigenetics in focus

UK researchers identify molecules that can effectively inhibit dysregulated proteins responsible for acute myeloid leukemia, a severe and rapidly progressing cancer type. The discovery sets the stage for new biological experiments and cancer treatment approaches.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateNov 22, 2018

UNC builds better particle tracking software using artificial intelligence

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has developed a new method of single-particle tracking based on machine learning, achieving higher accuracy and automation than current techniques. The technique is widely used in physical and life sciences to track individual particles such as viruses, cells, and drug-loaded nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill - Office of Research Communication·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 23, 2018

Understanding a cell's 'doorbell'

A multi-institutional project has provided new understanding of how GPCRs regulate in response to physiological ions like sodium, calcium, and magnesium. This research could lead to more effective drugs for controlling pain, hunger, and other conditions by targeting the receptors' function.

SourceDOE/Los Alamos National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 12, 2018

Will run for meth

Researchers found that mice increased their running on a wheel two hours before the door to the nebulizing chamber was open. The activated brain regions included those implicated in reward processing and craving: the orbitofrontal cortex, dorsomedial hypothalamus, and lateral septum.

SourceSociety for Neuroscience·JournaleNeuro·DateMar 12, 2018

Neutron study of glaucoma drugs offers clues about enzyme targets for aggressive cancers

A recent neutron analysis of glaucoma drugs and their interaction with human carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) enzyme revealed the impact of temperature, pH, and electrical charge on drug targeting. The study provides new information about hydrogen-bonding networks in hCA II, which may aid in designing more effective cancer treatments.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalStructure·DateFeb 12, 2018

Scientists reveal 'superbug's' artillery

Researchers at Monash University have created the first high-resolution structure of the Type II secretion system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a critical component in the bacteria's ability to secrete toxins. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs targeting this nanomachine to reduce virulence and combat infection.

SourceMonash University·JournalmBio·DateOct 19, 2017

Completing the drug design jigsaw

Researchers developed a new approach to analyze drug-protein interactions, revealing the specific amino acids involved in binding. This allows for more precise chemical requirements and stronger, selective drug candidates.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 5, 2017