Articles tagged with Biomolecular Structure
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.
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.
Researchers developed a machine-learning model to predict protease behavior, enabling more precise and effective treatments. The ProSSpeC calculator suggests engineered synthetic proteases that outperform widely used enzymes.
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.
Researchers developed an integrated NMR and LC–MS approach to distinguish between stereochemical variants of methionine oxidation in antibody drugs. The method resolves subtle structural variations relevant to biologic drug quality, strengthening stability testing and quality assessment.
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...
Researchers characterized the structure and function of a protein that regulates sugar and fat levels, finding it can work with an unexpected partner - itself. This partnership may drive the expression of different genes than its usual partner, offering new therapeutic targets for diseases like liver cancer and diabetes.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have created a high-resolution 3D map of the Andes virus, a crucial step towards developing vaccines and treatments against hantaviruses. The new structure allows for the design of effective vaccines and antibody therapies.
Researchers have found a way to harness the electrical energy generated by protein condensates, constantly shifting membrane-less organelles that govern cell function. This discovery could lead to bioelectrochemical devices for cleaning pollutants and fighting infection.
Insilico Medicine collaborates with Servier to develop novel therapeutics in oncology through AI-driven platform Pharma.AI. The partnership is focused on identifying promising targets and generating molecular structures with desired properties.
A $2 million NSF-funded project is creating microscopic robotic swarms that can move and think collectively like schools of fish. The Adaptive and Responsive Magnetic Swarms (ARMS) project aims to design materials that adapt to their surroundings and can be used for medicine, energy and environmental applications.
Researchers have developed new calcium channels that can be precisely controlled to study cellular signaling. The channels, built using artificial intelligence, were designed to mimic natural calcium channels and demonstrate their potential as tools for biomedical research.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown genetic disease, MINA syndrome, which damages motor neurons and affects movement and muscle control. The disease is caused by a rare genetic mutation in the NAMPT protein, leading to symptoms such as muscle weakness, loss of coordination, and foot deformities.
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.
Researchers used NMR spectroscopy to capture enzyme dynamics, discovering a 'crossover loop' structure that plays a crucial role in catalyzing reactions. This new method promises unprecedented access to biomolecule mechanisms and potential pathologies.
Researchers developed a novel biomaterial called elastin domain-derived protein (EDDP) that overcomes natural elastin limitations. EDDP promotes cell adhesion and growth, aiding tissue regeneration in damaged tissues like heart valves, blood vessels, or torn ligaments.
Researchers Jeremy McCormack and Andrei Kuzhelev at Goethe University are investigating the reasons behind prehistoric shark extinctions using new isotopic analysis methods. They also develop a novel nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique to study large biomolecules.
Researchers at Stockholm University have mapped the entire 14-part protein complex of botulinum toxin, revealing its structure and mechanism. The breakthrough opens up possibilities for neutralizing the toxin or harnessing its mechanisms for therapeutic use.
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.
Newly developed DNA nanostructures form flexible, fluid, and stimuli-responsive condensates without chemical cross-linking. These findings pave the way for adaptive soft materials with potential applications in drug delivery, artificial organelles, and bioengineering platforms.
The team built a high-resolution 3D structure of the Powassan virus, shedding light on its transmission and potential therapeutics. The findings could inform future treatments and preventions for this emerging tick-borne disease.
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.
Researchers have elucidated the molecular composition of a pigment produced by anaerobic bacteria, revealing its role in cellulose degradation. The pigment shows mild antibiotic activity against Gram-positive bacteria.
Scientists have discovered a novel way to block an enzyme involved in regulating blood pressure, called ACE. Ciprofloxacin binds selectively to a different site, blocking angiotensin I but not inhibiting the enzyme's other functions.
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.
Researchers from ICTER have determined the 3D structure of RBP3, a key molecule in the visual cycle, shedding light on its role in retinal diseases such as diabetic retinopathy. The study reveals conformational changes upon binding to ligands, providing new insights into its functional mechanisms.
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.
Researchers have gained detailed insights into RBP3's structure and mechanism of action, shedding light on its role in protecting the retina from diseases. The study suggests potential therapies to slow or stop retinal degeneration, including RP and myopia.
A machine-learning algorithm named catGRANULE 2.0 ROBOT identifies molecular targets for further researches and therapies in neurodegenerative diseases. The algorithm analyzes protein-RNA interaction to predict potential harm and identify early pathological signals.
A team of researchers has developed a molecular system that enables the controlled release of iron, using a carbon nanohoop and ferrocene as the iron carrier. The system allows for the release of Fe2+ ions upon activation with green light.
The device enables precise control over terahertz wave polarization, revolutionizing applications such as data transmission, imaging, and sensing. This innovation promises to transform fields like wireless communication and biomedical imaging.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed AI-powered software, Molecular Intelligence, to structure biomolecules from cryo-EM image data. The tool uses deep learning to analyze low-resolution image data and construct accurate 3D structures of proteins and other biomolecules.
A new paper proposes that temperature plays a fundamental role in setting off shapeshifting in metamorphic proteins. Researchers analyzed differences in hydrophobic contacts and found significant temperature-dependent changes, supporting their theory.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a super-photostable organic dye, PF555, to track proteins in cells over extended periods. This breakthrough enables observation of endocytosis and protein interactions, revealing EGFR's active navigation in its environment.
Scientists employ cryo-electron microscopy to study the light-harvesting protein complexes of purple sulfur bacteria, revealing a crucial role for the LH1-LH2 complex in energy transfer. The findings provide new insights into highly efficient photosynthesis under extreme conditions.
Researchers discovered a novel mechanism of intercellular communication through mRNA transfer between stem cells, allowing for biologically significant effects such as cell fate conversion and pluripotent state maintenance.
Researchers from Nagoya Institute of Technology have shed light on the mechanisms of bacterial flagellar motors, which propel bacteria through fluids. The study used CryoEM to capture high-resolution images of stator complexes and identified key molecular cavities for sodium ions.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis are developing a new way to detect sulfur mustard, a highly toxic chemical warfare agent, using nucleic acid molecular recognition and dendrimers.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the atomic structure of collagen assemblies with an unexpected right-handed superhelical twist. This discovery could reshape biomedical research by revealing greater structural diversity in collagen.
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 ...
Researchers at U of T have developed a new platform called smol-seq that uses DNA sequencing to detect metabolites. This method enables the analysis of hundreds of metabolites simultaneously, making it faster and more precise than current methods.
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.
A novel method called electrochemical-SAXS (EC-SAXS) reveals the structural changes in redox enzymes when they switch between reduced and oxidized states. The study improves our understanding of enzyme mechanisms, paving the way for enhanced bioelectrochemical device performance.
Dr. Gail Cornwall is investigating the structure of the brain extracellular matrix, a network of proteins and polysaccharides found in the space between neurons and glia. Her research aims to identify novel structural elements and mechanisms that enable brain plasticity and sex-specific responses.
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.
Researchers have shed new light on gene expression by visualizing ribosomes in unprecedented detail. The study reveals a molecular mechanism for mRNA delivery to the ribosome, advancing our understanding of gene expression at the molecular level.
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%.
Junior Professor Johannes Walker at the University of Göttingen has been awarded an Exploration Grant to develop new strategies for synthesizing saturated polycyclic molecules, potentially leading to new medicines. The award will enable his team to explore new lines of research and contribute to the development of new drugs.
Researchers have identified polyphosphate as a universal biomolecule that binds to the lysine-rich pocket of α-synuclein protofilaments. This binding contributes to the stability of the fibers, which are associated with synucleinopathy patient-derived fibrils.
A team of researchers at the University of Toronto has developed a rapid screening system to identify compounds that can stop the growth of amyloid proteins. The study found 40 compounds that demonstrate the ability to inhibit amyloid formation, providing a promising lead for future disease treatments.
The study uses cryo-electron microscopy to observe the ETB receptor-G protein complex, revealing a strong binding interaction between G protein and ETB receptor. This finding may deepen understanding of endothelin signaling mechanisms and inform the development of new drugs.
The study describes the full molecular structure of the phage DEV, which infects and lysates Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The researchers discovered a genome ejection motor that pulls the DNA out of its head after infection, with conserved design principles across all Schitoviridae phages.
Researchers at EMBL Hamburg and CSSB have uncovered the molecular details of vitamin B1 absorption, revealing critical transporters and barriers that hinder its progress. The study sheds light on rare diseases caused by SLC19A3 mutations and potentially life-threatening hidden deficiencies triggered by certain medications.
Scientists have developed MINFLUX microscopy to measure distances within biomolecules, down to one nanometer, and with Ångström precision. This allows for the detection of different conformations of individual proteins and the observation of their interactions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new expansion technique to image nanoscale structures inside cells using conventional light microscopes. The method, which expands tissue 20-fold in a single step, allows for high-resolution imaging of organelles and protein clusters.
Researchers at ISTA have decoded the structure of HTLV-1 using Cryo-Electron Tomography, revealing a distinct viral lattice that differs from other retroviruses. This discovery could pave the way for novel treatment approaches to combat HTLV-1 infections, which affect 5-10 million people worldwide.
The UAB researchers propose a multilayer structure of DNA that is fully compatible with the structural and functional properties of chromosomes. This organization can be explained by weak interactions between nucleosomes, which are repetitive blocks that fold the DNA double helix.
Researchers found that biological condensates, previously overlooked cellular structures, play a significant role in modulating cell activity and influencing global traits such as antibiotic resistance. These 'blobs' can separate or trap proteins and molecules, affecting cellular behavior and electrochemical processes.
Researchers investigated peptide clumping behavior using molecular dynamics simulations and AI techniques. They discovered that aromatic amino acids enhance aggregation, while hydrophilic ones inhibit it, offering insights into peptide structure and function.
Researchers Dr. Marx and Prof. Gilon propose a novel tripartite mechanism of neural memory based on metal-centered complexes within the nECM/PNN, enabling the encoding of emotive states through biochemical interactions. This new understanding underscores the need for a more holistic approach to grasp brain function and mental processes.