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The clever cell

The University of Konstanz's biological chemistry working group has decoded a molecular mechanism that inhibits bacterial populations' swarming motility. This mechanism enables bacteria to produce various natural substances using minimal resources, which may aid in combating infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalCell Chemical Biology·DateApr 26, 2017

Why do tomatoes smell 'grassy'?

Researchers from Kobe University identified enzymes that convert 3-hexenal into 2-hexenal, reducing the grassy odor in tomatoes. This breakthrough can be used to produce sweet tomatoes with less unpleasant fragrance.

SourceKobe University·JournalJournal of Biological Chemistry·DateMay 11, 2016

Sweet smell of success

Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute have successfully increased the production of methyl ketones in E. coli bacteria by 160-fold, a significant improvement over previous results. The breakthrough could lead to the development of clean and renewable blending agents for diesel fuel.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalMetabolic Engineering·DateDec 1, 2014

Sweet sweet straw

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a method to produce erythritol, a natural sweetener, from ordinary straw using genetically modified mould fungi. The process eliminates the need for expensive enzymes and molasses, making it more sustainable.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAMB Express·DateJun 24, 2014

New discovery solves problem of anti-inflammatory substance

Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have successfully produced a molecule that blocks LTA4 hydrolase from producing LTB4, while maintaining the inactivation of Pro-Gly-Pro. This could lead to new hopes for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and various types of inflammatory skin diseases.

SourceKarolinska Institutet·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Structure of a protein related to heart and nervous system health revealed

Scientists have solved the structure of a protein integral to maintaining healthy hearts and nervous systems. The discovery of cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) may lead to smarter drug design for better understanding of homocystinuria, a genetic disorder affecting cardiovascular and central nervous systems.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 16, 2010

Metabolite common among cancers

A study found that mutations in IDH1 enzyme result in excess production of 2-HG, a metabolite common among cancers including leukemia and brain tumors. Elevated serum levels of 2-HG were detected in approximately 8% of AML patients with these mutations.

SourceRockefeller University Press·JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine·DateFeb 8, 2010