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Graz University of Technology researchers open up new avenues of understanding proteins

Researchers at Graz University of Technology have developed a new approach to understand protein function and stability, identifying amino acids crucial for both with high accuracy. The FSA method combines machine-learning-generated sequences with natural sequences, revealing functional and structural significance of amino acids.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalStructure·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateOct 30, 2025

Lighting up life: Rice scientists develop glowing sensors to track cellular changes as they happen

Researchers at Rice University have engineered living cells to use a 21st amino acid that illuminates protein changes in real time, providing a new perspective on the inner workings of life. This breakthrough addresses a long-standing challenge in biology by allowing scientists to track subtle protein changes within living systems.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 23, 2025

Can blood analyses in dogs provide insights into human aging?

Researchers analyzed blood samples from dogs in the Dog Aging Project and found that post-translationally modified amino acids are strongly linked to age, suggesting a promising indicator of physiological aging. The study also highlighted an important role of the kidney in the relationship between age and blood metabolites.

SourceWiley·JournalAging Cell·DateOct 22, 2025

Machine learning model to predict the fitness of AAV capsids for gene therapy

A new machine learning model accurately predicts the fitness of AAV capsids based on their amino acid sequence, enabling more efficient and cost-effective gene therapies. The model's robustness and generalizability have been demonstrated through tests on independent datasets, offering a promising tool for capsid engineering.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 17, 2025

Study sheds light on the origin of the genetic code

A recent study revises our understanding of the universal genetic code's evolution, suggesting that early life preferred smaller amino acids over larger ones. The researchers found that amino acids with aromatic ring structures were incorporated into the code later than previously thought, offering clues about other extinct genetic codes.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 12, 2024

Fast folding for synthetic peptides and microproteins

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new method that enables the efficient production of cysteine-rich peptides and microproteins in their naturally folded 3D structure. The approach uses organic solvents to mimic nature's oxidative folding process, resulting in speeds of over 100,000 times faster than aqueous...

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 21, 2024

Taking antibiotics back in time

A team of researchers successfully synthesized a 1.5-million-year-old antibiotic called paleomycin, which displays potent properties against human pathogens. By tracing the evolutionary path of glycopeptide antibiotics, the team gained insights into the development of new drugs and uncovered a common precursor molecule.

SourceCluster of Excellence “Controlling Microbes to Fight Infections” (CMFI)·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 30, 2023

A potential early esophageal cancer antigen: DDX53

Researchers found that tumor-resident T-cell receptor sequences showed high complementarity with the cancer testis antigen DDX53, suggesting an immune response that selects for DDX53-negative cells. This association was correlated with worse disease-free survival rates, highlighting a potential early esophageal cancer antigen.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncoscience·TypeObservational study·DateNov 17, 2023

An escape signal for the nematode: Artificial intelligence helps elucidate structure of a novel light sensor

A team of scientists has successfully elucidated the structure and function of LITE-1, a biomolecule used by Caenorhabditis elegans to detect danger. The researchers used artificial intelligence to predict the structure of LITE-1, which is a channel protein that forms a pore in the cell membrane allowing charged particles to pass through.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 2, 2023

New way of identifying proteins supports drug development

Researchers have developed a new way to identify proteins based on their amino acid content, which can predict protein function and facilitate the development of new biological drugs. The method shows promise in cancer research, where it can help design more targeted treatments by linking survivin and PRC2 proteins.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournaliScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 14, 2023

Fungus has a host of issues

Researchers identified four fungal proteins responsible for suppressing host plant immunity in infectious diseases, leading to distinct host specificity in over 70% of plant diseases. Understanding the mechanism of this specificity may lead to new crop protection technologies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNew Phytologist·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Russian researchers explain origins of dangerous coronavirus variants

Researchers have identified mechanisms behind the emergence of new and contagious coronavirus variants by analyzing over three million genome sequences. The study found that concordant substitutions occurring at other sites influence the likelihood of a substitution occurring at a specific site, leading to unexpected variant emergence.

Evolutionary history of detoxifying enzymes reconstructed

Scientists have reconstructed the evolutionary history of flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs), a class of detoxifying enzymes present in all lifeforms. The study reveals that a single ancestral gene diverged into two distinct functions, with one gene triggering a different breakdown reaction.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 27, 2023

Beyond AlphaFold: A.I. excels at creating new proteins

Researchers developed a new software tool called ProteinMPNN to create protein molecules more accurately and quickly than before. The team used machine learning algorithms, including AlphaFold, to generate new protein shapes and sequences, paving the way for novel vaccines, treatments, and sustainable biomaterials.

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalScience·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 15, 2022

Using nanopores to detect epigenetic changes faster

Scientists at the University of Freiburg have successfully characterized epigenetic modifications using nanopore analysis. The technique allows for rapid detection of protein fragments with varying levels of acetylation, enabling more accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases like cancer.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 31, 2022