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.
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.
A new technique uses ESR to measure distances between atoms in proteins, revealing the overall structure of a molecule. This method is particularly useful for studying larger protein assemblies and membrane-embedded proteins, which are challenging to study using traditional methods.
The NIH is funding three new synchrotron beamlines at Argonne National Laboratory to aid in the structural study of biological molecules. These facilities will be used to analyze protein structures that can help develop targeted cancer treatments.
The University of Chicago has been awarded a $2.4 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to expand its programs in immunology and structural biology. The grant will be used to fund six new junior faculty members, support pilot projects, and establish shared facilities.