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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

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.

Pennington Biomedical researchers offer new perspective on how protein restriction may promote healthy aging and longevity

Pennington Biomedical researchers propose a new understanding of how protein restriction promotes healthy aging and extends lifespan by triggering a coordinated whole-body response. The response connects cellular nutrient sensing with hormones, brain function, and changes throughout the body, influencing healthy aging and longevity.

SourcePennington Biomedical Research Center·JournalCell Metabolism·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 10, 2026

Shedding light on how bacteria assemble outer membrane proteins

A team of researchers has shed light on the mechanism of outer membrane protein assembly in bacteria, revealing key conformational changes made by a chaperone protein. The study's findings may help identify new targets for antibacterial agents and improve our understanding of Gram-negative bacteria's resistance to antibiotics.

SourceNara Institute of Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 4, 2026

Kidney cancer gene reveals an unexpected weakness and a new path for treatment

Researchers discover that kidney cancer cells lacking the tumor suppressor gene SETD2 become highly dependent on protein BCL-xL for survival. By targeting this dependency, they can selectively eliminate SETD2-deficient cancer cells, offering a potential new therapeutic strategy for patients with aggressive subset of kidney cancers.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalCancer Research·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 29, 2026

New tool empowers research on key proteins

A new fluorescence imaging-based technique allows researchers to measure individual scramblase protein activity rates, revealing new findings and broad applicability. This enables precise study of key scramblases and their potential role in various biological processes and diseases.

SourceWeill Cornell Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJun 15, 2026

How proteins breathe – and what makes them freeze | New insights from ISTA research

Proteins have varying shapes and sizes, requiring them to change shape to bind other molecules. Researchers at ISTA combined methods to study protein motion and found that fleeting structures can reveal biological function. The findings could boost protein design approaches and improve AI-based structural prediction tools.

SourceInstitute of Science and Technology Austria·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2026

Identifying the limits of protein evolution

A large-scale computational study found that point-of-origin effects significantly influence protein diversification, with relatively small divergence seen from ancestral proteins. The research reinforces existing theories on initial protein formation and highlights the limitations of modern AI protein design methods.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 30, 2026

NIH grant allows for development of next-generation computational tools to study fat metabolism and disease

Dr. Yu-Ming Mindy Huang's research aims to overcome limitations in current methods by building a higher-accuracy computer microscope to investigate membrane-bound protein diffusion and interactions. The study has two complementary directions: modeling viral proteins and understanding lipid storage on lipid droplets.

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

Unveiling the molecular survival strategies of earth’s most abundant marine bacteria — A paradigm shift in life sciences

A new study reveals the molecular mechanisms that enable SAR11, the most abundant marine bacteria, to survive in nutrient-poor environments. The research demonstrates ultra-high-affinity transporters that capture carbon sources, influencing global biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem management.

Predicting kidney disease trajectories with a simple blood test

Researchers developed a serum proteomics-based prediction model to identify biomarkers involved in ADPKD progression. The study identified 29 proteins linked to immune system, fat transport, and metabolism, which can predict kidney function decline rate. This breakthrough could lead to more accurate and earlier diagnosis of ADPKD.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2025

Novel cross-linker developed for concurrent enrichment and quantitative analysis of protein interactions in limited cells

A novel dimethylpiperidine-based cross-linker, DPST, enables one-step enrichment and quantitative analysis of protein complexes in limited samples. Using DPST, researchers successfully mapped the protein interaction network in primary neurons and detected transient and weak interactions.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJul 1, 2025

A new complexity in protein chemistry

Göttingen University researchers have discovered previously undetected chemical bonds within archived protein structures, revealing an unexpected complexity in protein chemistry. These newly identified nitrogen-oxygen-sulphur (NOS) linkages broaden our understanding of how proteins respond to oxidative stress.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 20, 2025

Cancer research reveals how chemo impact cells at the molecular level

Scientists have developed a cutting-edge technology to analyze protein turnover in individual cells, enabling them to identify treatment-resistant cancer cells and understand the impact of specific drugs. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in disease diagnostics and treatment strategies.

A study led by the CIBEREHD group at Hospital Germans Trias demonstrates for the first time how to reduce the number of colonoscopies and improve the follow-up of patients with Crohn’s disease

A new study led by the CIBEREHD group at Hospital Germans Trias demonstrates a significant improvement in monitoring and treatment of Crohn's disease patients. By analyzing calprotectin levels, patients can avoid unnecessary repeat colonoscopies.

SourceGermans Trias i Pujol Research Institute·JournalDigestive and Liver Disease·TypeObservational study·DateFeb 27, 2025

New method searches through 10 sextillion drug molecules

Researchers developed a new method to search through billions of molecules to identify potential anti-inflammatory drug candidates. The method uses computer algorithms to explore vast chemical space and has the potential to speed up the costly drug development process.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 26, 2025

mRNA-activated blood clots could cushion the blow of osteoarthritis

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a technique using therapeutic blood clots activated by messenger RNA to treat osteoarthritis. This approach could potentially offer a more effective option than existing treatments like steroid injections or joint replacement surgeries, with the possibility of being an i...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalBioactive Materials·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJan 22, 2025

New quantum sensing technology reveals sub-atomic signals

Researchers have developed a new quantum sensing technology that can detect individual nuclei, revealing tiny differences in molecular structure and dynamics. This unprecedented sensitivity enables scientists to study the building blocks of nature at an entirely new scale, leading to breakthroughs in fields like drug development.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2025

New antibody could be promising cancer treatment

Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a unique antibody that targets and delivers a drug package while activating the immune system. This '3-in-1 design' method has shown promise in treating several types of cancer by amplifying T cell effect on cancer tumors.

SourceUppsala University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 11, 2024