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Pennington Biomedical’s Dr. Chris Morrison awarded up to $2 million NIH grant to study how the brain detects dietary protein restriction

Dr. Chris Morrison's research aims to understand how the brain detects changes in protein intake and adapts to dietary protein restriction. The study will focus on a specific population of neurons in the hindbrain that respond to FGF21, a hormone produced by the liver in response to protein restriction.

Proteogenomic analysis of healthy and cancerous prostate tissues using SILAC and mutation databases

This study used SILAC-based quantitative proteomics to investigate the impact of missense mutations on protein expression in prostate cancer versus healthy tissues. The results show that missense mutations correlate with changes in protein abundance, and specific mutations have deleterious effects on protein stability and function.

SourceXia & He Publishing Inc.·JournalOncology Advances·DateJul 31, 2025

Closing in on Parkinson’s Disease proteins in extracellular vesicles in the blood

Researchers have developed a new protocol to exclusively access and quantify proteins carried by extracellular vesicles in the blood. This breakthrough may lead to early diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and other brain disorders, providing treatment opportunities before symptoms appear.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2024

Mapping potential pathways to MND treatment

Scientists have mapped out the proteins involved in motor neurone disease (MND) across its trajectory, identifying potential therapeutic pathways for further investigation. The study found that a protein-folding factor called DNAJB5 is elevated early on in MND, sparking curiosity about its role in disease progression.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 19, 2024

Zinc enhances albumin’s protective role against Parkinson's disease

Researchers have discovered that zinc ions tune the ability of human serum albumin to prevent α-synuclein aggregation, a process linked to Parkinson's disease. Zinc binding alters HSA's chaperone function, blunting fibril formation and slowing down protein deposition that can lead to neurodegeneration.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules·DateOct 16, 2022

Fishing for new source of proteoglycans, an important health food ingredient

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered that bony fish head cartilage contains abundant proteoglycans, including aggrecan, with similar CS structures to salmon nasal cartilage. This finding reveals the potential of sturgeon as an alternative source of CSPGs for health food formulations.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalInternational Journal of Biological Macromolecules·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 26, 2022

Study finds common protein in blood enables human fertilization and fighting infection

A University of California, Irvine-led study reveals albumin activates a proton channel giving sperm the ability to penetrate and fertilize an egg, and allowing white blood cells to secrete inflammatory mediators. The interaction also enables neutrophils to produce and secrete inflammatory mediators that kill bacteria and fight infection.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 22, 2021

The uncharted molecular language of the brain

A new study has created the most complete annotated resource of proteins present in synapses, which could aid in early diagnosis and specific drug targets for brain diseases. Researchers identified 1466 synaptic vesicle proteins, many of which were previously unknown, and found that lower-abundance proteins often have crucial functions.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2020

Tightening the tumor-targeting abilities of checkpoint blockade immunotherapy

Scientists have developed a novel nanoparticle formulation targeting PD-L1 with high specificity, allowing for improved infiltration of T cells into tumors and increased sensitivity to checkpoint blockade. This approach achieved an 80% mouse survival rate over 70 days, outperforming traditional antibody therapies.

Blister fluid could help diagnose burn severity

Researchers analyzed 56 samples of blister fluid from burns of different depths and healing times to develop a new classification system. They found that specific protein patterns in blister fluid could predict burn depth and time to re-epithelialization, leading to more accurate diagnoses and potential reductions in scarring.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateJan 17, 2019

Hot temperatures can trigger an RNA response in plants

A team of Penn State researchers found that hot temperatures lead to changes in plant RNA structure, linked to a loss in messenger RNAs. This process may help plants cope with heat stress and drought conditions, offering insights into developing more resilient crops.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 5, 2018

A brewer's tale of proteins and beer

Scientists used mass spectrometry to analyze proteins in beer at three stages of production, revealing over 200 unique proteins from barley and yeast. The study aims to understand how these proteins control beer's properties and potentially improve brewing techniques.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of Proteome Research·DateMar 14, 2018