Articles tagged with Structural Biology
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.
Scientists from BCM and Rice University discover a new way to analyze protein movement, making it easier to classify and scrutinize active sites implicated in cancer and other diseases. The breakthrough uses a mathematical algorithm in conjunction with X-ray crystallography to narrow down possible ways a protein might flex and bend.
Researchers at ESRF successfully filmed an enzyme in action using cryogenic techniques, revealing intermediate states crucial to its function. The study contributes to understanding how the enzyme eliminates toxic molecules, offering hope for developing new drugs to combat neurodegenerative diseases.
The Structural Genomics Consortium has determined the 3D structure of PARP3, a protein of significant relevance to diseases such as cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders. The available data can accelerate early-phase drug development projects and contribute to a better understanding of disease mechanisms.
Researchers have created the first 3D visualization of a complete eukaryotic cell at high resolution, enabling them to investigate its structural details. The study reveals new insights into microtubule dynamics and their interactions with other cellular structures.
Researchers used structural biology techniques to probe the molecular mechanisms of the major drug efflux pump in E. coli, AcrB. The study confirms that AcrB is split into three subunits with differently shaped substrate transport channels.
The Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) has established a materials repository and knowledgebase to share resources with the scientific community. The PSI-Materials Repository will store and ship clones of proteins, while the Knowledgebase will provide access to structural information and experimental details.
ARP/wARP software has been upgraded to handle lower-resolution data, enabling researchers to study complex problems in cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases. The new grant will allow scientists to focus on structure analysis rather than building models, potentially leading to revolutionary therapeutic strategies.
Researchers studied iron-sulfur proteins called rubredoxin, which play a crucial role in processes like photosynthesis and respiration. By analyzing the strength of hydrogen bonds in different variants of the protein, they were able to explain changes in protein function and predict its behavior.
A team of researchers has developed a high-throughput method using GFT-NMR to solve protein structures in just 10-20 days per protein. This breakthrough could lead to major advancements in structural biology, enabling the study of membrane proteins and developing new medicines.
The Protein Structure Initiative (PSI) has reached its rapid production phase, aiming to determine thousands of protein structures using innovative approaches and tools. The new centers will use methods developed during the pilot period to rapidly generate protein structures found in organisms ranging from bacteria to humans.
Fanning and Chazin found structural and biochemical evidence for the mechanism of ssDNA break free from its binding protein to allow repair or replication. The researchers developed a working model to answer how RPA gets dislodged, allowing enzymes access to DNA for processing.
The University of Houston has received a $2.8 million NIH grant to develop an interdisciplinary approach to scientific education, combining nanoscience and biology. The grant aims to create the first generation of nanobiologists, with students able to take full advantage of resources across six member institutions.
The SimBioS Center will enable biologists to integrate, analyze, and model data on human health and disease using innovative software programs. The center aims to bring high-quality physical modeling capabilities to all biologists, addressing key challenges in simulating living systems from individual atoms to entire organisms.
The grant aims to develop rapid, efficient methods for producing membrane protein samples for structure determination and physiological function investigation. Membrane proteins are a major target for many drugs on the market, and this research has significant medical potential.
The EMBL-Hamburg-coordinated project, BIOXHIT, aims to create a common platform for European researchers in biological crystallography. The initiative combines research, networking, training, and mobility to standardize technology and reduce structure-obtaining time, attracting more researchers to the field.
The new SPEAR3 facility at Stanford Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory offers cutting-edge x-ray science capabilities, including higher resolution and brightness for studying smaller objects. Researchers can utilize the facility to advance fields like structural biology, materials science, and chemistry.
The formation of wwPDB formalizes the global character of the Protein Data Bank, ensuring transparency and quality of data. The collaboration allows for individual creativity in presenting and making data available to the community.
Purdue biologists will conduct basic research on viruses and develop antiviral compounds using advanced technology, aiming to enhance the national defense effort and address emerging infectious diseases. The grants could also support the creation of a new facility for structural biology at Purdue.
A collaboration between IFF and NIST uses slowed-down neutrons to measure fragrance and carrier molecule structures. This information can guide efforts to enhance models for formulating carriers that are optimized for specific fragrances and products.
Scientists at Rice University and the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility used X-ray crystallography to capture the rapid structural changes of a protein. The research aimed to improve protein engineering for blood substitutes and genetic diseases, yielding valuable insights into protein dynamics.
The Center for Reproductive Research aims to improve understanding of hormones, receptors, and signaling molecules in female reproduction. Researchers will develop synthetic scaffolds and investigate molecular machines to address diseases associated with reproductive function.
The NIH has awarded a $4.6 million grant to Rutgers University to develop new and effective drugs for AIDS. The five-year program will use structure-based drug design to identify proteins involved in HIV transmission and develop inhibitors that can overcome drug resistance.
Researchers have discovered a new viral structure that suggests a continuum in the evolution of viruses, revealing similarities between PRD1 and human adenoviruses. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary path taken by families of viruses and may lead to the development of new therapies for certain infections.
The Osteoarthritis Initiative will recruit 5,000 participants aged 50+ at high risk for knee osteoarthritis. The project aims to establish a natural history database for osteoarthritis, allowing researchers to identify potential new disease targets and develop tools for understanding disease progression.