Articles tagged with Structural Biology
Comprehensive exploration of living organisms, biological systems, and life processes across all scales from molecules to ecosystems. Encompasses cutting-edge research in biology, genetics, molecular biology, ecology, biochemistry, microbiology, botany, zoology, evolutionary biology, genomics, and biotechnology. Investigates cellular mechanisms, organism development, genetic inheritance, biodiversity conservation, metabolic processes, protein synthesis, DNA sequencing, CRISPR gene editing, stem cell research, and the fundamental principles governing all forms of life on Earth.
Comprehensive medical research, clinical studies, and healthcare sciences focused on disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Encompasses clinical medicine, public health, pharmacology, epidemiology, medical specialties, disease mechanisms, therapeutic interventions, healthcare innovation, precision medicine, telemedicine, medical devices, drug development, clinical trials, patient care, mental health, nutrition science, health policy, and the application of medical science to improve human health, wellbeing, and quality of life across diverse populations.
Comprehensive investigation of human society, behavior, relationships, and social structures through systematic research and analysis. Encompasses psychology, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, linguistics, education, demography, communications, and social research methodologies. Examines human cognition, social interactions, cultural phenomena, economic systems, political institutions, language and communication, educational processes, population dynamics, and the complex social, cultural, economic, and political forces shaping human societies, communities, and civilizations throughout history and across the contemporary world.
Fundamental study of the non-living natural world, matter, energy, and physical phenomena governing the universe. Encompasses physics, chemistry, earth sciences, atmospheric sciences, oceanography, materials science, and the investigation of physical laws, chemical reactions, geological processes, climate systems, and planetary dynamics. Explores everything from subatomic particles and quantum mechanics to planetary systems and cosmic phenomena, including energy transformations, molecular interactions, elemental properties, weather patterns, tectonic activity, and the fundamental forces and principles underlying the physical nature of reality.
Practical application of scientific knowledge and engineering principles to solve real-world problems and develop innovative technologies. Encompasses all engineering disciplines, technology development, computer science, artificial intelligence, environmental sciences, agriculture, materials applications, energy systems, and industrial innovation. Bridges theoretical research with tangible solutions for infrastructure, manufacturing, computing, communications, transportation, construction, sustainable development, and emerging technologies that advance human capabilities, improve quality of life, and address societal challenges through scientific innovation and technological progress.
Study of the practice, culture, infrastructure, and social dimensions of science itself. Addresses how science is conducted, organized, communicated, and integrated into society. Encompasses research funding mechanisms, scientific publishing systems, peer review processes, academic ethics, science policy, research institutions, scientific collaboration networks, science education, career development, research programs, scientific methods, science communication, and the sociology of scientific discovery. Examines the human, institutional, and cultural aspects of scientific enterprise, knowledge production, and the translation of research into societal benefit.
Comprehensive study of the universe beyond Earth, encompassing celestial objects, cosmic phenomena, and space exploration. Includes astronomy, astrophysics, planetary science, cosmology, space physics, astrobiology, and space technology. Investigates stars, galaxies, planets, moons, asteroids, comets, black holes, nebulae, exoplanets, dark matter, dark energy, cosmic microwave background, stellar evolution, planetary formation, space weather, solar system dynamics, the search for extraterrestrial life, and humanity's efforts to explore, understand, and unlock the mysteries of the cosmos through observation, theory, and space missions.
Comprehensive examination of tools, techniques, methodologies, and approaches used across scientific disciplines to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. Encompasses experimental procedures, analytical methods, measurement techniques, instrumentation, imaging technologies, spectroscopic methods, laboratory protocols, observational studies, statistical analysis, computational methods, data visualization, quality control, and methodological innovations. Addresses the practical techniques and theoretical frameworks enabling scientists to investigate phenomena, test hypotheses, gather evidence, ensure reproducibility, and generate reliable knowledge through systematic, rigorous investigation across all areas of scientific inquiry.
Study of abstract structures, patterns, quantities, relationships, and logical reasoning through pure and applied mathematical disciplines. Encompasses algebra, calculus, geometry, topology, number theory, analysis, discrete mathematics, mathematical logic, set theory, probability, statistics, and computational mathematics. Investigates mathematical structures, theorems, proofs, algorithms, functions, equations, and the rigorous logical frameworks underlying quantitative reasoning. Provides the foundational language and tools for all scientific fields, enabling precise description of natural phenomena, modeling of complex systems, and the development of technologies across physics, engineering, computer science, economics, and all quantitative sciences.
Researchers at Arizona State University have discovered a novel mechanism driving the evolution of green-to-red photoconvertible phenotype in green fluorescent proteins. The study reveals that hinge migration, driven by long-range dynamic motions, can lead to the acquisition of red fluorescence.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute reveal new insights into nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (TH), a metabolic enzyme found in most forms of life, shedding light on its structure and function. The discovery sheds light on TH's dynamic structure and how it alternates functions to maintain cell health.
Scientists have developed a method to observe DNA double strand breaks, a process that lasts microseconds. They also created slow-motion films of the reaction by altering temperature and pH balance.
Six faculty members at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been named 2014 AAAS Fellows, recognized for their contributions to various fields including virology, cell biology, and cancer research. The awardees include Aviv Bergman, Margaret Kielian, Richard Kitsis, U. Thomas Meier, Robert Singer, and Jan Vijg.
Scientists have unraveled a molecular mechanism of mRNA recognition, essential for understanding differential gene regulation in male and female organisms. This principle represents an essential and widespread mechanism of gene regulation in higher organisms.
A study at Oak Ridge National Laboratory reveals structural differences between normal and diseased forms of the huntingtin protein, which is involved in Huntington's disease. The researchers used neutron scattering to compare the structures over time, finding key discrepancies that support a growing focus on amyloid disorders.
A team of scientists has revealed the molecular mechanisms underlying Roquin's role in preventing autoimmune diseases. The study found that Roquin recognizes a range of RNA binding partners to control T-cell functions, regulating a larger number of genes than previously thought.
Research clarifies how bacterial red light photosensors change structure when sensing light, revealing amplification mechanism for rapid signal transmission. The study also sheds light on the molecular-level operating mechanisms of phytochrome proteins in plants.
The Price Family Foundation has awarded a $3 million grant to Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the University of Oklahoma to investigate the structural biology of anaerobic microorganisms, with a focus on combating C. difficile infections. The joint project aims to find better treatments for these life-threatening infections.
The University of Oklahoma and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will establish an Institute of Structural Biology to advance research on the impact of proteins. Researchers will target deadly diseases and search for new cures, gaining expertise in X-ray analysis and large-scale structural genomics.
Researchers at the University of York have discovered how one group of gut bacteria, Bacteroidetes, digest complex sugars found in fruits and vegetables. This understanding sheds light on nutritional issues like prebiotics and probiotics.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a new method to map the 3D structure of membrane proteins, including the human serotonin receptor. This approach enables faster and more accurate imaging, potentially condensing the timeline for structural studies from months to days.
Researchers used X-ray laser to map the 3D structure of a key cellular gatekeeper, the human serotonin receptor. The breakthrough technique uses smaller crystals and produces high-resolution images, potentially condensing years-long studies into days.
Researchers have discovered that trees across species exhibit remarkably similar branching patterns, allowing scientists to infer a tree's function regardless of its shape or size. The study confirms a theory developed by UA ecology professor Brian Enquist and has implications for models used to assess forest ecosystems.
Researchers from UConn have captured the structural dynamics of a protein channel in the mitochondrion using fluorescent probes. The study reveals that the channel complex changes its structure in response to changes in the inner membrane's electrical field, providing new insights into how cellular transport systems harness energy.
Researchers identify unique properties of K11-linked polyubiquitin chains, suggesting new cellular processes involved in disease maintenance. These findings may lead to novel treatments for diseases like cancer and diabetes.
A team led by Peijun Zhang has described the 4-million-atom structure of HIV's capsid protein shell, revealing critical molecular interactions that could lead to new treatments. The findings may enable the development of drugs that disrupt the shell's assembly or disassembly, potentially stopping the virus from replicating.
Researchers at Helmholtz Centre and Technische Universität Darmstadt discover protein C4BP with eight 'arms' similar to a spider's web. This structure allows for potential use as a scaffold for drug transport, targeting pathogens more effectively.
Researchers propose a new theory of evolutionary development, suggesting that complex structures may emerge through the process of 'complexity by subtraction', where parts are lost or simplified over time. Computer models and trends in skull evolution support this idea, which challenges traditional incremental evolution.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute invent a way to directly image biological structures at their most fundamental level, providing a gateway to understanding dynamic systems in structural biology. The technique has successfully imaged viruses and other biological structures in their natural environments.
Researchers will use x-ray crystallography and NMR to understand the structural rules governing nuclear receptors' activity. The goal is to fill gaps in knowledge about these proteins' role in metabolism, cancer, inflammation, and bone health.
A University of Oklahoma research team has been awarded a $9.7 million NIH grant to study human diseases associated with aging, osteoporosis and diabetes. The grant will provide significant resources for investigators to pursue structure-based biomedical studies.
The university has upgraded its research facilities with a $2.7 million NMR spectrometer, allowing for faster and more detailed molecular imaging. This will enable researchers to study macromolecules at the molecular level, benefiting disease research and biological problem-solving.
University of Montreal researchers developed a strategy to monitor protein assembly by integrating fluorescent probes throughout the linear protein chain. This approach enables capturing snapshots of protein shape at each stage of assembly, shedding light on how proteins self-assemble into working nanomachines.
A study has identified an antitumor molecule originating from a cancer-causing gene that inhibits pro-cancer action of the oncogene. The finding could lead to discovering other oncogenes and anti-oncogenes, contributing to tumor development.
Researchers studied thale cress under high temperature conditions, finding that plants with reduced stomata exhibit greater water loss and leaf evaporative cooling. This adaptation may promote the diffusion of water vapor from stomata, cooling the plant.
Researchers are exploring X-ray imaging as a next-generation tool for gathering detailed structural and functional information on biomolecules. The technology has the potential to surpass traditional X-ray crystallography, enabling the study of complex biological systems in unprecedented detail.
Researchers at RIT and Dowling College are working on a three-year study to match the protein to its job in the human body. They will use a library of 400 protein motifs associated with known functions and compare proteins from the Research Collaboratory for Structural Biology Protein Data Bank with existing active-site templates.
Researchers at USC have found that the energy difference between two alpha-synuclein structures is less than previously thought, offering new insights into the protein's role in Parkinson's disease. This discovery could help explain why the protein misfolds and becomes toxic to surrounding nerve cells.
The 2011 Pew Scholars will advance research leading to medical breakthroughs and treatments, covering human diseases like Alzheimer's and diabetes. The program, investing over $125 million, recognizes early-career scientists with innovative ideas.
Researchers have identified a new target for combating cystitis: the thread-like structures on E. coli bacteria that adhere to bladder cells. Understanding this mechanism can lead to the development of new antibiotics, offering hope for treating recurring urinary tract infections.
Axel T. Brunger, a Stanford University professor, has been awarded the inaugural DeLano Award for Computational Biosciences for his work on structural biology and crystallographic refinement methods. The award recognizes his contributions to making computer technology accessible to the scientific community.
Researchers found that Hsp90, a common 'chaperone' protein, helps loose p53, contradicting its previous role in folding other proteins. This discovery adds to the growing knowledge of proteins' adaptability and activity in unfolded states.
The study completes the film frame of transporters' conformations, enabling understanding of diseases like cistinuria and design of drugs targeting cancer cells. New knowledge will help design inhibitors to affect amino acid uptake by cancer cells.
Scientists have successfully imaged an intact virus using extremely intensive and ultra-short x-ray pulses from the world's first X-ray free electron laser. This breakthrough technology enhances the possibilities of imaging individual biological molecules too small to study with conventional microscopes.
The Center for Structural Genomics of Infectious Diseases and the Seattle Structural Genomics Center have experimentally determined 500 three-dimensional protein structures from bacterial and protozoan pathogens. These structures could lead to the development of new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to combat deadly infectious diseases.
The Joint Center for Structural Genomics (JCSG), led by Ian A. Wilson, has made significant strides in high-throughput structural genomics, solving over 1,150 structures to date. The JCSG's pipeline has optimized every stage of the process, enabling large numbers of target proteins to be tackled simultaneously.
Rutgers University has received a $47.5 million grant from the NIH to study protein structures and their impact on diseases. The grant supports two major programs: NESG, which develops new methods for determining protein structures, and SBKB, which collects and disseminates protein structure information worldwide.
Researchers at Medical College of Wisconsin and University of California, Riverside create synthetic chemical mimicking abscisic acid to improve crop resistance to drought. The discovery paves the way for developing new molecules that activate or turn on receptors.
The Membrane Protein Structural Dynamics Consortium aims to unite structure and function through dynamic studies of membrane proteins, enabling better drug development for diseases like heart disease and diabetes.
The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology honored 11 researchers with various awards for their groundbreaking contributions to the life sciences. Axel T. Brunger, Michael Brown, Joseph Goldstein, Charles E. Chalfant, Job Dekker, Christine Guthrie, Arthur Gutierrez-Hartmann, Yusuf Hannun, and Arthur E. Johnson received...
Researchers have captured the 3D atomic models of a single transporter protein in its three main structural states, revealing the 'alternating access' mechanism. This discovery offers a detailed understanding of the function of essential chemicals entering cells and creates opportunities for developing new drugs.
A new study reveals that individual fibrin fibers play a crucial role in equitably distributing strain load and strengthening the entire network. The research found that fibers subjected to significant strain stiffen to resist stretch, thereby reducing strain concentrations.
Scientists have successfully imaged vesicles and filaments involved in neuronal communication, revealing crucial role of filamentous structures in regulating neurotransmitter release. The 3D images were obtained using electron cryotomography, a novel method that rapidly freezes cells while preserving biological structures.
A Notre Dame study highlights the role of dynamic motion by proteins involved in the body's immune response. The research found that different antigens produce distinct motions, complicating but also simplifying recognition by T-cell receptors.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have identified a functional importance seam in the HIV coat that could lead to new treatments for blocking HIV infection. The findings may allow scientists to rationally design therapeutic compounds that interfere with assembly and function of the protein.
Researchers determine the three-dimensional structure of Pur-alpha protein, essential for normal neural function, and gain insights into its molecular function. The findings provide a possible basis for developing an effective therapy for Fragile X tremor/ataxia syndrome.
The National Science Foundation has awarded a $360,000 grant to establish a Robotics Crystallization Core Facility on the University of Oklahoma's Norman campus. The grant will provide sophisticated robotics equipment to support collaborative efforts among structural biologists in the state.
The human genome is organized into two separate compartments, with active genes separated from inactive DNA. The fractal globule architecture enables cells to pack DNA densely while avoiding knots, allowing for efficient gene expression and replication.
A team of researchers developed a technique to replicate biological structures on a nano scale, creating free-standing replicas of fragile, laminar, chitinous biotemplates. The resulting biomaterial could be used for optically active structures, such as optical diffusers for solar panels and devices with light-emitting properties.
Researchers discovered that an atomic force microscope's behavior changes when used in water, enabling the study of biological molecules' mechanical properties. The findings reveal details about a bacterial membrane and a virus called Phi29, shedding light on their intrinsic variations in local stiffness.
Researchers have gained in-depth knowledge of pyruvate carboxylase's structure, a metabolic enzyme linked to genetic diseases like lactic acidaemia and hypoglycaemia. The study also sheds light on its potential role in obesity and diabetes treatments.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a molecular '2-step' process that may lead to protein clumping in Huntington's disease. The study found that a slight lengthening of the polyglutamine sequence disrupts neighboring regions, initiating aggregation behavior. This discovery could provide new targets...
Researchers used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy to study the tau protein's structure and interactions in neurons of Alzheimer's disease patients. The study found that abnormal phosphorylation of tau proteins disrupts their ability to bind to microtubules, leading to cell death and nerve damage.
Researchers used Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy to analyze the structure of Tau, identifying structural properties and fast motions. This breakthrough provides insights into how phosphorylation alters binding to microtubules, leading to nerve cell damage.
The study solved the structure of a biological protein from the vaccinia virus, providing insights into its relationships with other viruses. This discovery is significant as it can help develop new therapies to treat various viruses, offering potential solutions to outbreaks and pandemics.
Researchers found that root shape determines hormone concentration and triggers new growth regions, sharing a deep evolutionary relationship with shoot patterning. This discovery uses computational modeling and highlights the power of interdisciplinary approaches in probing organismal architecture.
FSU will receive a fully automated cryo-electron microscope that provides rapid, 3-D imaging of frozen specimens around-the-clock via remote operation. This technology will advance cutting-edge studies of various diseases, including HIV/AIDS, heart disease, and cancer.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have deciphered the three-dimensional structure of a membrane-bound enzyme crucial to glycerol metabolism, a vital source of energy. The breakthrough could lead to advances against obesity, diabetes, and other diseases.
Researchers have achieved images of a virus in detail two times greater than previously achieved using single-particle electron cryomicroscopy. This breakthrough provides valuable information for developing disease treatments and allows for the study of tiny biological machines found throughout our bodies.