Articles tagged with Biomolecules
Scientists have elucidated the regulatory functions of Pan1p, a key player in late-stage clathrin-mediated endocytosis. The protein drives actin assembly and disassembly, facilitating vesicle internalization.
Researchers discovered that vitamin K acts as an antioxidant, inhibiting ferroptotic cell death and identifying FSP1 as the warfarin-insensitive enzyme responsible. This finding has implications for treating Alzheimer's disease and acute organ injuries.
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict the efficiency of nanoparticle delivery into cells, particularly in stem cells. They found that nanoparticles become trapped in bubble-like vesicles, preventing them from reaching their targets.
A research team, led by Rohit Pappu and Anthony Hyman, found that protein molecules form dynamic clusters at low concentrations, which have structures that encode function. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that there is no further structure underlying biomolecular condensates.
Researchers discovered that copper accelerates protein aggregation in Parkinson's disease, forming ring-shaped structures that can be used as therapeutic targets. The study provides new clues to the development of the neurodegenerative disease.
Scientists have created new fluorescent chemical compounds for photodynamic therapy of cancerous tumors, which can stain affected tissues and destroy tumor cells without harm to healthy ones. The compound containing pyrene shows the highest fluorescent and anticancer activity.
Researchers developed a method for detecting cancer miRNA patterns using DNA computing technology, enabling simple and early cancer diagnosis from liquid biopsies. The technology uses nanopore decoding to recognize cancer-specific expression patterns even at extremely low concentrations of miRNA.
Researchers at CNIO have identified a cryptic pocket in the RET oncogene that confers high specificity to second-generation inhibitors. This discovery could lead to the development of more effective treatments for RET-driven cancers.
Researchers discovered 40,000 biosynthetic gene clusters in ocean microorganisms, including a new species with giant genome size. These clusters may hold key to new natural products with antibiotic properties. Collaboration between ETH Zurich and Jörn Piel's group validated the structure and function of two promising molecules.
A novel technique can rapidly detect chiral molecules in complex gas mixtures, identifying fake perfumes and damaged plants. This approach has vast potential for agriculture, quality control of perfumes, and monitoring plant health.
A team of researchers has identified the ancient bird species behind giant prehistoric eggs in Australia, resolving a years-long debate. The study found that the eggs belonged to a unique duck-like line of megafauna known as the 'Demon Ducks of Doom', which was laid by the Genyornis newtoni bird.
Researchers at NIST developed a new, faster, and more accessible method for screening skin allergens without animal testing. The electrophilic allergen screening assay (EASA) achieved similar results to existing methods with 77% agreement rate, paving the way for potential standardization and increased international trade.
Researchers studied peptide bond formation between tRNA molecules and a ribosomal RNA segment, revealing the potential for minihelices to bind to the primordial peptidyl transferase center. The study suggests that functional interactions between tRNA and PTC could have been 'revised' in evolution.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed improved DNA nanostructures that can assemble biomolecules with multiple functions, increasing the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The new structures are more stable, non-toxic, and immune system-friendly than previous versions.
Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology discovered that tocotrienols, a subtype of vitamin E, can lower body weight, reduce white adipose tissue, and protect the liver in mice fed with a high-fat diet. The study suggests a potential compound to prevent obesity and its secondary diseases.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new approach to produce artificial tissue using micro-scaffolds with a diameter of less than a third of a millimetre. These scaffolds can accommodate thousands of cells and enable high cell density and control over mechanical properties.
Researchers have found that two sugar substitutes, acesulfame potassium and sucralose, inhibit the activity of P-glycoprotein, a vital protein in liver detoxification. This can lead to impaired transport of toxins and drugs, potentially affecting people taking certain medications. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
A new study found that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation can broadly improve immunotherapy and other anti-cancer drugs in the clinical setting. In mice, diets enriched with omega-3s blocked tumor growth when combined with immunotherapy or anti-inflammatory treatment, indicating possible synergistic anti-tumor activity.
A new app called Metaboseek has been developed to streamline the analysis of comparative metabolomics data, helping researchers identify valuable compounds. The app was created by a postdoctoral research associate and is now essential to his lab's work.
Researchers developed long-lived biological computers using RNA, which can persist inside cells. Unlike DNA-based devices, these RNA circuits are dependable and versatile, enabling continuous production in living cells.
Autophagy is induced when ER-bound ribosomes are stalled, rescuing them from cellular harm. The ERC grant aims to decipher the role of Autophagy in rescuing stalled ER-bound ribosomes.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown bacterial enzyme that can produce a new type of biodegradable polysaccharide called acholetin. Acholetin has wide-ranging potential as a biocompatible, biodegradable material for biomedical applications.
Researchers have identified a novel enzyme that catalyzes the formation of glycosidic bonds in complex sugar moieties. The discovery provides fresh insights into carbohydrate metabolism and offers a breakthrough for the synthesis of sugar chains, which play key roles in various biological processes.
Researchers uncover the pleiotropic functions of hnRNPK in regulating skeletal muscle cell differentiation, including inhibition of myoblast differentiation and suppression of genes involved in endoplasmic reticulum stress. The study suggests that targeting hnRNPK could be a potential therapeutic strategy for treating human disorders.
A team of scientists from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg and the Max Planck Institute discovered the essential final step in mRNA production. The process involves 16 proteins that precisely control the structure of mRNA, which determines protein function and disease risk.
Researchers analyzed over 1.5 million SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences to understand the evolution of the virus, finding that increased infectivity is a driving force behind its spread. The omicron variant is predicted to compromise current vaccines and therapies, highlighting the need for new generation of vaccines and monoclonal antibodies.
A new protein group has been identified that functions as a switch to regulate biological activity, found in all domains of life and essential for cellular activities such as gene expression and metabolism. The discovery opens up new possibilities for the development of novel drugs targeting these switches.
Researchers developed Inducible Directed Evolution (IDE), a new technique for controlling directed evolution in bacteria, allowing up to 30 gene modifications at a time. This approach enables finely tuned changes to bacteria, making it suitable for biopharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing industries.
Markita del Carpio Landry, a young immigrant scientist, receives the Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise for her groundbreaking research on neurochemical communication and gene-editing technologies. Her work aims to address medicine's most compelling problems, including aberrations in neurotransmitter signaling.
Researchers have discovered that the tumor suppressor protein pVHL degrades SMAD3, inhibiting the TGF-β signaling pathway and suppressing tumour cell growth. This finding opens up new opportunities for developing cancer therapies by regulating pVHL activity.
A study led by Przemyslaw Nogly at PSI has detailed insight into the mechanism of a light-driven chloride pump in bacteria, revealing how light energy converts to kinetic energy and transports chloride ions inside cells. The pump uses two molecular gates to ensure one-way transport, with the process taking around 100 milliseconds.
Researchers used microscopic strands of DNA to guide the assembly of gel blocks that self-assembled in around 10-15 minutes. The process was highly specific and easily programmable, allowing the blocks to interact with each other in different ways by changing the sequence of DNA.
Scientists have discovered families of proteins that can predict liver transplant rejection, allowing for early detection and modification of immunosuppression. The Blood Proteoform Atlas outlines over 56,000 protein molecules associated with immune cell proteins that change with rejection.
Researchers have developed a combination of materials that can morph into various shapes before hardening, similar to the natural process of bone development in the human skeleton. The soft material can be used to create microrobots that can inject themselves into complicated bone fractures and expand to form new bone.
Phages weigh all options and make an informed decision whether to exit the dormant state and attack their bacterial host. The study found that some phage families have developed a complex decision-making strategy, receiving information from neighboring bacteria and controlling communication via arbitrium.
Scientists have observed that ionizing radiation can cause intermolecular Coulombic decay in organic molecules, leading to damage in DNA and proteins. This new understanding could lead to the development of more effective substances for radiation therapy and improve knowledge of how radiation damages healthy tissue.
A new study from Karolinska Institutet and the University of Helsinki reveals how integrating digital tools, classical laboratory tests, and biomolecular measurements can enable individualized disease prevention. The researchers also found significant correlations between health risks and molecular factors associated with overweight, d...
Researchers have developed plant-based gummy candies packed with vitamins B12 and D3, addressing nutritional deficiencies in vegan and vegetarian diets. The new product was well-received by taste testers, paving the way for more nutritious food options.
Researchers have developed a method to study proteins at their physiological temperatures by applying microscopic pulsed heating. They found that a critical protein complex regulating cell motility and morphology exhibits cooperative regulation of actin-myosin interaction by drebrin E, which is temperature-dependent.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have identified the 'caramel receptor', which recognizes furaneol, a natural odorant found in fruits and coffee. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of molecular coding of food flavors.
Researchers have developed a new interface technology that can provide natural sensory feedback from robotic prosthetics to amputees, reducing abnormal sensations and cognitive burden. The innovation uses ultra-small recording sites and molecular guidance cues to stimulate sensory axons selectively, improving control of robotic limbs.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology developed improved carbon membranes that can efficiently separate para-xylene from its siblings, reducing energy consumption by up to three times. The breakthrough could lower energy costs in producing commodity chemicals and fuels.
Researchers developed an AI tool that can quickly and accurately identify suspicious proteins in the body by analyzing their movements. The method, known as diffusional fingerprinting, uses machine learning algorithms to predict protein behavior with over 90% accuracy.
Flipon genetics proposes that evolution happens on a faster time scale than Darwin imagined, with rapid adaptations occurring in real-time within individuals. This is achieved through the simple sequence repeats of DNA, which can adopt alternative shapes and transmit adaptations to offspring.
Researchers developed gel drops from four amino acid peptides that support cell growth and induce blood vessel formation. The microgels were successfully used to grow endothelial cells on their surfaces, which then extended into tubular blood vessels.
Distinguished Professor Sang Yup Lee at KAIST was elected as a foreign member of the Royal Society, one of the world's most prestigious national science academies. He is recognized for his pioneering work in systems metabolic engineering and developing micro-organisms for producing fuels, chemicals, and natural compounds.
Researchers developed a rapid detection method for SARS-CoV-2 using LAMP-based COVID tests that provide results in under an hour. These tests are designed to be used by non-experts in public spaces and workspaces, offering a convenient solution for early detection and response.
Prof. Thomas H. Epps, III has been elected to the AIMBE College of Fellows for outstanding contributions to self-assembly of polymeric materials for drug delivery and gene therapy applications. He will join a group of top medical and biological engineers in the US.
Research suggests that weathered microplastic particles are 10 times more likely to be internalized by mouse cells than pristine particles. The formation of a biomolecular crust on the surface of microplastics enhances their ability to be engulfed by cell membranes, potentially leading to inflammation and health risks.
Takashi Kozai aims to design a coating technology that can control neuron activity using biomolecules. The goal is to establish the relationship between different types of stimulation and their impact on excitability, which could improve BCI technology for rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that allows for fast and precise tracking of biological molecules using gold, silver, and gold-silver alloy nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables the visualization of molecular movements in unprecedented detail, opening up new avenues for understanding cellular processes.
Conjugated polymers are stretched and flattened using polymer printing, enabling better charge transport. The new method produces flat conjugated polymers with exciting optoelectronic properties.
A team of scientists discovered that the elasticity of gels arises from the packing of clusters of particles in the gels. The researchers used graph theory to identify the boundaries between these clusters, which act as rigid units within the gel, determining its elastic modulus.
Researchers from OU and Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are addressing the challenges of curating ancient biomolecules. The team is working toward the development and dissemination of best practices for museums in this field.
Scientists at University of Gættingen have developed an environmentally friendly strategy for drug and pesticide production, leveraging the properties of naturally occurring non-toxic metal manganese. The new approach reduces waste and uses water instead of toxic solvents.
Clemson University's new program aims to recruit doctoral students from underrepresented groups to become professors in chemical engineering. The goal is to create a diverse generation of educators who will serve as role models for women and minority students.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new flexible, transparent biopatch that can deliver exact doses of biomolecules directly into cells, expanding observational opportunities. The patch, which is minimally invasive, can also treat cancerous tissue, making it a potential breakthrough in healthcare.
A University of Akron engineer is working on antifouling materials to prevent unwanted organisms from accumulating on medical implants. This can help reduce the risk of foreign body reactions and improve patient outcomes.
Researchers developed a microfluidic technique to monitor specific biomolecules, indicating the health of living cell cultures. The technique uses electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and can detect low concentrations of biomolecules, guiding process control and improving quality control in cell manufacturing.
Benjamin Fingerhut, a junior group leader at the Max Born Institute, has been awarded the prestigious ERC Starting Grant to study ultrafast biomolecular dynamics. The project aims to elucidate fundamental processes in biological systems using innovative non-adiabatic approaches.