Articles tagged with Bacterial Proteins
Researchers at Rice University have created a roadmap showing how proteins interact to form the nanometer-thin shell of gas vesicles. This breakthrough enables the development of medically useful GV varieties in the lab, which can be used for diagnostics and therapeutics.
Researchers discovered a bacterial defense strategy involving two proteins that team up to disable plasmids, which could be applied to gene editing. Guide DNA and a functional protein are key components of this system, showing promise for targeted genome editing.
Researchers at Montana State University have published a study in Nature describing the discovery of the PARIS immune system, which uses tRNA to neutralize viral infections. The team used advanced microscopy techniques to visualize the system's structure and function.
Researchers have developed two new methods to produce circular RNAs, which can silence genes and serve as templates for making therapeutic proteins. These circular RNAs display enhanced stability and biological activity in heart muscle cells and neurons.
Scientists studying environmental bacteria have determined a protein's essential role in maintaining the germ's shape. Loss of the protein OpgH disrupts the bubble-like cell envelope, resulting in the cell's death. This finding could lead to new drug targets and advance the search for better antibiotics.
Researchers found that antlions have a highly effective and complex venom system, producing multiple venom proteins and digestive enzymes to overpower large and defensive prey. Unlike previously thought bacteria-assisted venom production, antlions are free of bacterial symbiotic partners.
Guan's lab will apply accumulated experience and methods to study SLC6A14, a sodium-coupled epithelial amino acid co-transporter involved in cancer and several chronic diseases. CryoEM will be used to determine the structure of SLC6A14, providing insight into its substrate specificity and inhibitory mechanisms.
Researchers at ISTA discovered that misaligned protein filaments 'die' and re-assemble to form a well-aligned ring structure essential for bacterial cell division. This mechanism could lead to the development of synthetic self-healing materials.
A new fluorescence detection system can detect fluorescent proteins from bacteria in water down to levels of less than one part per billion, meeting the World Health Organization’s criteria for detecting fecal contamination. The lensless fluorometer reduces device cost, size and weight while providing better performance.
A recent study uses machine learning to analyze 950 microbial genomes, identifying 2,194 potential toxins that could be used as new antimicrobials or biotechnological tools. The researchers also discovered four new toxins with enzymatic activities against different molecules.
A study published in Future Foods found that German consumers are willing to try and buy cheese produced through precision fermentation. Emphasizing high product quality and environmental benefits increases acceptance, while concerns about traditional agriculture reduce willingness to purchase.
Researchers developed an approach to boost cellulose production in bacteria by inducing mutations through UV-C light. This method produced bacterial variants that generate up to 70% more cellulose than the original form, paving the way for industrial-scale production of sustainable materials.
A study identified a protein called IL-22BP that affects the composition of gut microbiota and the body's response to bacterial infection. The absence of this protein results in stronger defenses against intestinal infections, including increased production of short-chain fatty acids that promote an anti-inflammatory environment.
Researchers study T cells and monocytes interaction in the meninges before they attack the brain and spinal cord, potentially leading to new disease progression targets. The findings could provide a pathway to treating other neurological diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have developed a new dual-action antibiotic that targets two different cellular targets, making it nearly impossible for bacteria to evolve resistance. The antibiotic works by disrupting protein production and DNA structure, rendering random mutations ineffective.
A study by Michigan State University reveals that certain proteins and peptides in the nasal and oral environments create lubricants for bacterial colonies to move towards vulnerable sites. The discovery provides new insights into how staphylococcus bacteria spread, shedding light on conditions that accelerate their movement.
Researchers developed a strategy to identify new antimicrobial drugs with therapeutic promise from bacterial datasets. PHAb10 and PHAb11 showed robust antibacterial activity against various bacterial species, including those resistant to traditional antibiotics.
Researchers at Rice University have developed ultrasmall gas-filled protein nanostructures that can penetrate tissue and reach immune cells, opening up new possibilities for ultrasound imaging and drug delivery. The breakthrough could revolutionize treatment for cancers and infectious diseases.
A team of researchers led by Professor Peter Fineran from the University of Otago discovered a novel regulatory mechanism in a protein used by phages to deploy anti-CRISPR. This finding has significant implications for understanding gene regulation and developing new antimicrobial therapies.
Researchers at U of T have harnessed CRISPR to efficiently and precisely control RNA splicing, enabling the systematic interrogation of gene functions and correction of splicing deficiencies in diseases. This new tool allows for targeted activation or repression of alternative exons with high specificity.
Researchers used ultrafast terahertz Stark spectroscopy to characterize the molecular quantum states involved in the proton pump reaction of bacteriorhodopsin. The study reveals pronounced quantum state mixing in the early electronic and nuclear dynamics, supporting a picture of mixed excited-state characters.
When E. coli detects damage from antibiotic Ciprofloxacin, it sends out an SOS signal that alters cellular activity. The bacteria then mutate their DNA to repair the damage or adapt to resist the antibiotic. Researchers studied this process in detail using bioreactors and found all genes are activated simultaneously at the protein level.
Researchers in Brazil have developed bread with probiotic yeast that may help combat asthma by reducing airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. The bread's probiotic properties were shown to attenuate asthma symptoms in mice, suggesting potential for a new treatment approach.
Researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology discovered a compound called diaphorin that promotes protein synthesis in vitro using Escherichia coli-derived components. The study found that diaphorin targets bacterial gene expression systems, improving the growth and substance production ability of E. coli.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a simplified method for preparing protein samples for proteomics analysis, enabling faster, cheaper and more efficient testing. This breakthrough could pave the way for precision medicine by helping scientists better understand protein changes in the body.
A team of researchers has created a water-soluble version of the bacterial enzyme histidine kinase, which could be used in high-throughput screens to rapidly test potential drugs that target this enzyme. The new protein retains its natural functions despite being converted from a hydrophobic protein.
A study from Michigan Medicine reveals a connection between neutrophil activation and severe cytokine release syndrome (CRS), a potentially life-threatening reaction to CAR T-Cell therapy. Researchers identified biomarkers of NETosis, a process in which neutrophils create webs that may contribute to CRS.
Researchers have developed a compact, high-fidelity version of the Cas12a protein, which can be packaged within a non-pathogenic virus for targeted gene editing. The modified protein demonstrates efficient editing activity and has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels in mice with high cholesterol.
A new study highlights the benefits of intermittent fasting and protein-pacing on gut health, weight loss, and metabolic responses. Participants showed improved diversity of the gut microbiota, decreased symptoms of gastrointestinal problems, and increased beneficial microbes linked to a lean body type.
Researchers have successfully adapted a modified drug molecule to selectively bind to a protein in bacteria, rather than human cells, making it more effective against bacterial infections. This breakthrough could provide a new avenue for treating antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections.
Researchers developed a high-resolution sensor to track real-time dynamics of ATP levels in cells and within subcellular compartments. The iATPSnFR2 sensor has high sensitivity across a wide range of ATP concentrations, enabling accurate tracking of ATP levels and their dynamics.
F. William Studier, a senior biophysicist at Brookhaven National Laboratory, has won the 2024 Merkin Prize in Biomedical Technology for his T7 expression technology, enabling large-scale production of RNA and proteins for biomedical research and pharmaceuticals. His work has saved millions of lives with COVID-19 mRNA vaccines.
MIT engineers create technique to image bioluminescent molecules in deep tissue with high resolution, enabling detailed studies of brain cell development and communication. The method uses engineered blood vessels that dilate in response to light, allowing researchers to pinpoint the source of light.
Climate change threatens freshwater habitats, disrupting microbial communities essential for nutrient cycling and water quality maintenance. Many abundant freshwater bacteria with small genomes experience extended periods of adaptive standstill, limiting their ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions.
Researchers have identified spermidine as a key molecule that helps Salmonella survive inside macrophages by shielding it from oxidative stress. Targeting spermidine production with an FDA-approved drug, DFMO, may weaken the bacteria's ability to cause infection and improve survival rates in mice.
Researchers found that gut bacteria-generated linoleic acid metabolite KetoC markedly reduced inflammation and immune cell expansion. gKetoC also suppressed prolonged T-cell proliferation and dendritic cell activation. The study suggests a potential molecular axis governing the immunomodulatory effects of gKetoC.
Researchers at U of T have identified two compounds, diindolylmethane and diindolylethane, produced by gut bacteria that can regulate the nuclear receptor CAR, potentially treating diseases like diabetes, fatty liver disease, and small intestine ulcerative colitis.
Scientists identify crucial protein PicA in jumbo phages that selectively transport proteins to replicate inside bacteria. This discovery sheds light on the complex biological makeup and mechanisms within these mysterious viruses.
Researchers identified a complex of two proteins called Gabija that enhances the blockage of phage replication in bacteria. The study found that one protein alone can disable a phage's DNA, but the complex formed with its partner protein is more effective at preventing phage takeover.
The study reveals that lactic acid bacteria enhance gel strength, elasticity and juiciness by lowering pH and increasing ionic strength, promoting actomyosin formation. Advanced imaging techniques such as SEM and CLSM are critical in characterizing these microstructures.
Researchers have identified a novel class of antimicrobial toxins, dubbed umbrella toxins, produced by soil bacteria Streptomyces. These toxins are large protein complexes that specifically target other Streptomyces species, making them a promising lead in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
Researchers discovered that certain bacteria, including Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli, are attracted to human serum, which contains the amino acid serine. This phenomenon, known as bacterial vampirism, allows the bacteria to navigate towards the source of blood in under a minute.
Researchers have discovered the first known nitrogen-fixing organelle within a eukaryotic cell, which challenges current understanding of biological nitrogen fixation. The discovery provides insight into ocean ecosystems and has potential implications for agriculture.
Researchers develop a computational approach to predict mutations leading to better proteins, with potential applications in neuroscience research and gene therapy. The technique uses a convolutional neural network to create a fitness landscape, enabling faster optimization of proteins.
The researchers developed a process to engineer bacteria to grow sustainable textiles with their own pigment. They created shoe and wallet prototypes using the new material, which has potential for various colors and patterns. The self-dyeing leather alternative could solve environmental problems in the fashion industry.
Researchers at Rice University have identified a protein responsible for the clustering of gas vesicles in bacteria, a discovery that could enable new biomedical applications. The team used genetic, biochemical, and imaging approaches to understand the patterning of these structures, which are found in certain microorganisms.
A team of scientists discovered new fusion sites in protein evolution that enable faster and more targeted drug development. By combining evolutionary processes with synthetic biology, they created customized biological drugs with improved therapeutic properties.
A new study has identified a crucial role for plant MLKL proteins in regulating cytoplasmic calcium ion concentration, which is responsible for innate immune responses. The research found that activated plant MLKLs maintain higher calcium levels, activating downstream immune machinery and conferring disease resistance.
Researchers at MIT and University of Helsinki discovered a protein in human sweat that can protect against Lyme disease. A genetic variant of this protein is associated with increased susceptibility to the disease.
A new study has discovered that Streptococcus anginosus bacteria play a significant role in causing stomach cancer. The research showed that S. anginosus infection led to gastric inflammation, cell damage, and the growth of stomach cancer cells, doubling tumour size and weight in some cases.
Researchers at UT Austin develop tools using AI and biosensors to harness microbes for faster drug production, potentially creating a reliable supply of galantamine. The innovative approach uses genetically modified bacteria to produce a chemical precursor of the medication.
A new study reveals how viral proteins from symbiotic bacteria manipulate sperm in male insects, causing sterility and preventing the spread of diseases like Zika and dengue. The research could lead to refined techniques to control populations of agricultural pests and insect vectors.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of nanoparticle that can both deliver vaccines and act as an adjuvant to generate a strong immune response. The particles, called metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), were shown to be effective in delivering the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and boosting the immune system's response.
Researchers at John Innes Centre used cryo-EM to visualize the structural architecture of chloroplast RNA polymerase and build a detailed atomic model. The study reveals new insights into transcription, a fundamental step in making photosynthetic proteins, and how these proteins interact with DNA and mRNA.
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have developed a new method to produce protein-rich, sustainable foods with improved texture. By inserting foreign genes into cyanobacteria, they can create fibrous strands resembling meat fibers, which could be used in plant-based products.
Researchers have identified two essential ferredoxins that play a key role in determining the performance of iron nitrogenase. The discovery opens up new possibilities for elucidating and maximizing nitrogenase's potential, which could lead to sustainable enzymatic production of ammonia and carbon compounds.
A new approach to fighting HIV has been developed using RNA, specifically small interfering RNAs (siRNA), which regulate gene expression in cells. This nanomedicine was shown to reduce HIV replication by 73% and is intended for vaginal application to prevent sexual transmission.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new antibiotic compound, cresomycin, that effectively targets and kills multiple strains of drug-resistant bacteria. The breakthrough demonstrates improved ability to bind to bacterial ribosomes, overcoming resistance mechanisms.
Researchers found that dysregulation of RNA transfer between cells in different tissues shortens lifespan in roundworms. They demonstrated that this phenomenon, termed Intercellular/Extracellular Systemic RNA imbalance (InExS), can be caused by an increase in RNA uptake from the environment, leading to a reduction in organism's lifespan.
Researchers at Cornell University have created a new version of the Vibrio natriegens microbe to speed up biological discovery, enabling cost-effective and scalable synthetic biology experiments. This microbe can be engineered within hours and works effectively without costly equipment, making it ideal for testing protein variants.