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Molecular simulations reveal how an enzyme’s shape guides molecular recognition

Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology used molecular simulations to investigate how an enzyme's shape affects molecular recognition and ligand retention. They found that enzyme shape influences ligand retention, with 75.6% of trajectories in the closed group retaining ligands compared to 55.1% in the open group.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalACS Omega·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 29, 2026

How calcium channels in muscle cells open together

A team of researchers has captured the first high-resolution 3D images of RyR1 calcium channels in muscle cells, revealing synchronized opening and the role of neighboring channels. The study may explain mechanisms behind serious muscle diseases, such as malignant hyperthermia and congenital myopathies.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2026

Penn engineers develop AI tool to design peptides that turn signals on or off

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and Chinese University of Hong Kong created TD3B, an AI framework guiding peptide generation toward candidates predicted to have a desired effect. The tool predicts binding likelihood and determines activation or deactivation of associated cellular machinery.

Bringing ancient light-sensing proteins back to life

Researchers from The University of Osaka have developed a method to reconstruct ancestral rhodopsins that can be produced and experimentally tested in bacteria. This innovation utilizes an insertions-deletions aware sequence reconstruction approach, enabling scientists to study the evolution of functional proteins.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalACS Omega·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJun 16, 2026

Novel generative AI model enables atomic-scale prediction of protein–protein interactions

Researchers have developed a generative AI model called Void-X that can predict protein-protein interactions with high accuracy, enabling the design of new biomolecules for drug discovery and synthetic biology. The model achieves predictive accuracies of 78.3% for intra-chain clusters and 68.2% for inter-chain clusters.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2026

University of Cincinnati structural biologists are first in world to visualize key cell protein

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology have visualized the structure of iRhom1 bound to the ADAM17 enzyme, shedding light on its role in regulating cell surface protein targets. This breakthrough discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.

SourceUniversity of Cincinnati·JournalCell Reports·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2026

Researchers identify potential new route for antimalarial drug design

A team of researchers has uncovered a promising new target for antimalarial drug design, identifying an enzyme called aminopeptidase P from the Plasmodium falciparum parasite. The new inhibitors have been shown to bind more strongly and selectively than existing compounds, demonstrating potential as a new class of drugs to combat malaria.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 6, 2026

Hanyang University ERICA researchers trace chicken domestication on the Korean Peninsula

Researchers analyzed bone collagen peptides from avian remains found at the Gungok-ri site in South Korea, identifying the presence of chickens and their management during the Proto-Three Kingdoms period. The study's findings provide insights into Korean food culture, agriculture, and animal domestication.

SourceHanyang University Research Strategy Planning Team·JournalJournal of Archaeological Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 22, 2026

High-resolution cryo-EM structure reveals the mechanisms underlying oxygen-tolerant energy conversion in a marine photosynthetic bacterium

Researchers determined the LH1-RC complex structure at high resolution, identifying a new membrane protein and non-heme Fe ion that may facilitate electron transfer. The findings provide insight into the photosynthetic complex and could contribute to genetically engineered phototrophic systems and bioremediation technologies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalCommunications Biology·DateApr 1, 2026

NMR reveals site-specific structural signatures of therapeutic antibodies without isotope labeling

Researchers developed a novel NMR approach to analyze the structure of therapeutic antibodies without isotope labeling. The technique uses site-specific methyl signals to detect subtle structural variations, including glycosylation patterns and local flexibility. This method has significant implications for ensuring the quality of biol...

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2026

New study reveals how tiny but powerful gatekeepers guard the nucleus

Researchers unveiled an integrative experimental and computational map of macromolecular transport through nuclear pore complexes. The model identifies key design features that ensure NPC efficiency and resilience, revealing new avenues for medical innovation. It also provides insight into diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's, and ALS.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2025

Poplar tree discovery could help shape the future of energy and biomaterials

A University of Missouri-led study has uncovered how poplar trees can naturally adjust a key part of their wood chemistry based on changes in their environment, supporting improved bioenergy production. The discovery sheds light on the role of lignin and its potential to create better biofuels and sustainable products.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 18, 2025

Research opens up new avenue for Tuberculosis drug discovery

Scientists from the University of Bath have identified two new families of chemical compounds that inhibit alpha-methylacyl-CoA racemase (MCR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, a key enzyme for TB survival. This breakthrough could lead to new treatments for TB and potentially other diseases like prostate cancer.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 2, 2025

Uncovering a unique light-harvesting structure in marine algae

A team of researchers analyzed a photosynthetic complex found in a marine alga and discovered a unique arrangement of antenna proteins around the photosystem core. This structure indicates an adaptation to its living environment and provides insights into the efficiency of light-harvesting under certain conditions.

SourceOkayama University·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateMay 30, 2025

Structural optimization of microfluidic chips for enhancing droplet manipulation and observation via electrodynamics simulation

A study presents a versatile electrodynamics simulation model to analyze driving forces in partially filled electrodes, optimizing structural parameters of digital microfluidic chips. The model reveals the effects of dielectric layer parameters, droplet electrical properties, and substrate spacing on droplet driving performance.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalCyborg and Bionic Systems·DateApr 14, 2025

From muscle to memory: new research uses clues from the body to understand signaling in the brain

Researchers discovered that a network of subcellular structures similar to those responsible for muscle contraction are also present in brain cells. These structures, called contact sites, play a crucial role in transmitting calcium signals that regulate neuronal signaling. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms ...

Seoul National University of Science and Technology researchers develop bioink for personalized tissue repair using kombucha SCOBY nanocellulose

Seoul National University researchers create bioink from Kombucha SCOBY nanocellulose, suitable for in vivo tissue engineering. The bioink can be precisely applied directly onto damaged tissues using a digital biopen, paving the way for more personalized and effective wound healing.

SourceSeoul National University of Science & Technology·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 3, 2025

Tinkering with the “clockwork” mechanisms of life

Researchers at Université de Montréal successfully recreated two distinct mechanisms that can program the activation and deactivation rates of nanomachines in living organisms across multiple timescales. This breakthrough suggests how engineers can exploit natural processes to improve nanomedicine and other technologies.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 19, 2024

First successful synthesis of naphthocyclinones since their discovery fifty years ago

Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo develop an innovative strategy to produce β- and γ-naphthocyclinones, challenging compounds that have potential for medical and biological applications. They successfully synthesize the molecules using a retrosynthetic analysis approach, achieving yields of over 70%.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2024