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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

Licensed to live

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have deciphered the first step in DNA replication, a process crucial for life. The study identifies over 100 proteins essential for this mechanism, which enables cells to duplicate genetic material efficiently.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateJul 29, 2025

Ultra-selective aptamers give viruses a taste of their own medicine

Researchers at EPFL have created ultra-selective aptamers that target specific binding sites on viral spike proteins with unprecedented precision. These multivalent binders show stronger and more selective binding affinities than traditional monovalent binders, making them promising for biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature Nanotechnology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2025

Thirst and hunger neurons

New research identifies specific populations of neurons in the amygdala that play a key role in regulating nutritional needs and turning them into action. The study reveals distinct groups of neurons responding to thirst and hunger, guided by molecular cues.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 3, 2025

Engineering antibodies with a novel fusion protein

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys developed a new method of generating antibodies by fusing two immune system proteins, enabling the creation of stable monoclonal antibodies. This breakthrough has potential applications in diagnosing and monitoring diseases such as lupus and cancers.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalJournal of Immunology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2025

Splicing twins: unravelling the secrets of the minor spliceosome complex

Researchers in the Galej Group at EMBL Grenoble have provided new structural insights into the U11 snRNP subunit of the minor spliceosome, revealing its ability to specifically identify rare substrates. The study sheds light on the complex assembly pathway of the minor spliceosome, which is critical for processing minor introns in genes.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 12, 2025

A new geometric machine learning method promises to accelerate precision drug development

Researchers have developed a new geometric machine learning method called MaSIF, which enables the design of proteins that bind specifically to desired molecular structures. This approach accelerates precision drug development by allowing for precise dosing and control of biological drugs.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 15, 2025

Metallo-supramolecular complexes enantioselectively target monkeypox virus mRNA G-quadruplex and inhibit monkeypox virus replication by increasing the immune response

Researchers designed metallo-supramolecular complexes that selectively bind to MPXV mRNA G4, modulating A5L protein expression and immune response activation. These findings highlight the significance of G4s in viral immunodominant protein expression and offer potential avenues for developing antiviral therapeutics.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJan 11, 2025

Unlocking proteostasis: A new frontier in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's

Researchers have discovered a nucleolar complex that plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular health through protein homeostasis, allowing for the dramatic reduction of toxic effects of Alzheimer's-causing proteins. This breakthrough offers hope for new therapies to slow or prevent neurodegenerative diseases, promoting healthy aging.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalNature Cell Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2025

New study uncovers key insights into protein interactions in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, paving way for more targeted therapies

Researchers characterize the mysterious C-terminal domain of dystrophin and its role in stabilizing cellular membranes across various tissues. The study reveals that dystrophin's CT domain interacts differently with two major dystrobrevin isoforms, driving differences in binding affinity and interaction modes.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateDec 31, 2024

What is metformin’s secret sauce?

A new Northwestern Medicine study reveals how metformin lowers glucose levels by targeting mitochondrial complex I in cells. The drug also improves COVID outcomes and reduces inflammation, suggesting that mitochondrial complex I inhibition may be a unifying mechanism behind its diverse effects.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 18, 2024

Treating prostate cancer with novel platinum complex via targeting androgen receptor signaling

Researchers discovered a novel platinum complex that targets androgen receptor signaling, inhibiting cell growth and survival in prostate cancer cells. The complex, 5-H-Y, showed stronger cytotoxic effects than cisplatin with minimal toxicity, offering a promising approach to treating advanced prostate cancer.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalInorganic Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2024

The origin of stem cells

Researchers identified critical proteins involved in animal stem cell regulation, including SOX and POU transcription factors, which existed in single-celled organisms over 700 million years ago. These ancient proteins retained functional properties that enabled them to induce stem cell reprogramming in mouse cells.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 21, 2024

Super microscope shows nanoscale biological process for the first time

Researchers at Radboud University Medical Center developed a super microscope that combines live imaging and electron microscopy, allowing visualization of protein complexes in real-time. This technique opens up new avenues for studying arterial calcification and its potential link to COVID-19 vaccine entry.

SourceRadboud University Medical Center·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2024

Double strike against blood cancer

Scientists have identified a molecular mechanism that eliminates defective cells during faulty cell division, shedding new light on the fundamental processes involved. The discovery could lead to more effective treatments for blood cancer by targeting cells with multiple centrosomes, which are a hallmark of disrupted division.

SourceCeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine of the Austrian Academy of Sciences·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 30, 2024

Polymeric cloak stabilizes cytokine complex to generate tumor-targeted nanosuperagonist

A new method to construct protein complex-based therapeutics has been discovered using a polymer cloak, which stabilizes the delivery of protein complexes and enables tumor-targeted immunomodulation. The study presents an IL-15 nanosuperagonist with enhanced efficacy and specificity, promising a safer therapy for cancer treatment.

SourceInnovation Center of NanoMedicine·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 3, 2024

Fluorescent molecules to illuminate life: simplified synthesis with formaldehyde

A research team has developed a simplified synthesis method for organic fluorophores using formaldehyde, reducing molecular size and increasing atomic efficiency. The new technique can also be applied to in vivo environments, showing promise for life sciences research and diagnostics applications.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 30, 2024

Paving the way for new treatments

Researchers at Mizzou have developed Cryo2Struct, a computer program that uses AI to build the three-dimensional atomic structure of large protein complexes from cryo-electron microscopy images. This breakthrough enables scientists to better understand protein interactions, critical for developing effective treatments for diseases like...

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 23, 2024

We're closer than ever to solving mystery of deadly virus

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have identified the protein complex that enables the hepatitis C virus to infect cells. This discovery is a significant step towards developing a vaccine against the disease, which causes chronic inflammation and 300,000 deaths annually worldwide. The study's results, published in Nature maga...

How a protein component of nuclear pore complexes regulates development of blood cells and may contribute to myeloid disorders

A recent study has identified Nup358 as a critical regulator of myeloid cell development, revealing its role in the differentiation process of early progenitors. The findings provide insights into how alterations in Nup358 contribute to blood malignancies and may lead to novel therapies targeting transport machinery like NPCs.

SourceSanford Burnham Prebys·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2024

Editing without “cutting”: Molecular mechanisms of new gene-editing tool revealed

Researchers elucidated the spatial structure and molecular mechanisms of 'prime editor,' a novel gene-editing tool that achieves reverse transcription without DNA cutting. This breakthrough contributes to designing gene-editing tools accurate enough for gene therapy treatments, opening new avenues for both basic and applied research.

SourceSchool of Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 29, 2024

A CNIC study reveals the key role of mitochondrial proteins in cardiac regeneration

A CNIC study explores the mechanisms of supercomplex assembly and uncovers a major impact of mitochondrial assembly factors on cardiac regeneration. The researchers found that Cox7a1 plays a fundamental role in forming CIV dimers, which are crucial for correct mitochondrial function.

SourceCentro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III (F.S.P.)·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 13, 2024