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Powering nitrogenases

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.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalmBio·DateFeb 23, 2024

An important molecular pathway for control of aging is discovered

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.

Low-cost microbe can speed biological discovery

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.

SourceCornell University·JournalPNAS Nexus·DateFeb 13, 2024

Study reveals mechanism that aggravates tuberculosis and reduces survival rates

Researchers found that an imbalance of CD4+ T cells in the lungs can exacerbate tuberculosis, leading to increased disease severity and reduced survival rates. Removing a specific receptor that recognizes extracellular ATP can improve the response of these T cells and potentially lead to new therapeutic interventions.

New insights into what helps Salmonella cause infections

Researchers have discovered how the TamAB system helps Salmonella survive under harsh conditions inside macrophages. The study found that TamAB creates favorable conditions for the Bam complex to work, but the exact mechanism is unclear. Understanding this process could help in developing treatments for Salmonella infections.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Bacteriology·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 11, 2024

Unlocking long-term genetic memory: Dormant bacterial spores offer key insights into evolutionary survival strategies

Researchers discover a central chromosomal domain that enables dormant spores to revive and activate essential genes, shedding light on bacterial survival in harsh conditions. The study's findings have broader implications for sustaining long-term transcriptional programs across diverse organisms.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalMolecular Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Engineering bacteria to biosynthesize intricate protein complexes

Researchers developed an innovative bioengineering approach using genetically modified bacteria to incorporate protein cages around protein crystals. This method efficiently produces highly customized protein complexes for specialized applications. The resulting crystals have a core-shell structure with a cubic PhC core covered in five...

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2023

Longevity may be associated with olfactory perception of harmful substances

Research found that nematodes can sense danger by smell, triggering a neural circuit that induces a response in other tissues, leading to a longer lifespan and less protein aggregation. The study suggests that manipulating perceptions of chemical substances could be a route to intervention in neurodegenerative diseases.

Programmed cell death may be 1.8 billion years old

A recent study found that apoptotic factors in eukaryotes have a bacterial or mitochondrial origin, suggesting conservation over 1.8 billion years. The researchers proposed an alternative scenario where early protoeukaryotes domesticated bacteria to produce toxins, which eventually evolved into apoptotic factors.

SourceSMBE Journals (Molecular Biology and Evolution and Genome Biology and Evolution)·JournalGenome Biology and Evolution·TypeObservational study·DateOct 12, 2023

Roots of Bloody Mary

Scientists have identified a bacterial strain that can break down the toxic tomatine in tomato roots, providing new understanding of how soil microbes interact with plants. This discovery could lead to the development of new bioactive compounds for human applications.

SourceKyoto University·JournalmBio·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 5, 2023

Synthetic peptide could reduce vascular problems associated with COVID-ARDS

Researchers have developed a synthetic peptide that could help reduce vascular problems associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in COVID-19. The peptide, called TIP, works by binding to a subunit of the epithelial sodium channel, which helps maintain barrier function and prevent damage from viral proteins.

SourceMedical College of Georgia at Augusta University·JournalFrontiers in Immunology·DateOct 3, 2023

Novel bacterial proteins from seafloor shine light on climate and astrobiology

Scientists have identified a previously unknown class of bacterial proteins that suppress the growth of methane clathrates as effectively as commercial chemicals, but are non-toxic and scalable. This discovery has significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the safety of transporting natural gas.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2023

"Radar" detects active cellular destroyers

A team of scientists has developed a method to detect active Cullin-RING ligases (CRLs), which are responsible for destroying unwanted proteins in cells. The new technology, called a molecular radar, reveals which CRLs are deployed to address cellular stresses and perform the actions of some anti-cancer drugs.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Chemical Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2023

Singling out a bacterium from the crowd

A new method, M3-seq, has been developed to study the gene expression patterns of individual bacteria with unprecedented detail. This approach enables researchers to identify rare bacterial populations and profile phage infection, shedding light on complex biological phenomena.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Microbiology·DateSep 13, 2023

Specialized T cells in the brain slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital discovered a subset of immune cells that slows Alzheimer's disease progression by interacting with microglia. The cells, called CD8+ T cells, use a molecular handshake to signal to the microglia to stop causing uncontrolled inflammation, which in turn slows plaque growth and symptoms.

SourceSt. Jude Children's Research Hospital·JournalNature Immunology·DateSep 7, 2023

Common wristbands ‘hotbed’ for harmful bacteria including E. coli, staphylococcus

A study by Florida Atlantic University found that nearly all wristbands (95%) are contaminated with harmful bacteria, including E. coli and staphylococcus. The study suggests using metal types like gold and silver, which had little to no bacteria, and recommends regular sanitizing of wristbands, especially after gym activities.

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalAdvances in Infectious Diseases·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 16, 2023

Microbial corrosion of iron

Researchers found that bacteria with electrically conductive protein threads can corrode iron anaerobically, producing magnetite that facilitates further corrosion. The discovery has significant implications for corrosion protection and suggests taking material properties into consideration.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 14, 2023

How the hospital pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii quickly adapts to new environmental conditions

Researchers find that Acinetobacter baumannii can achieve significant functional modifications in protein complexes over short evolutionary time spans, particularly in hair-like cell appendages. This diversity may affect the pathogen's interaction with its environment and inform personalized therapies.

SourceGoethe University Frankfurt·JournalPLOS Genetics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 4, 2023

On-off switch for enzymes

A protein found in bacteria activates its enzymatic activity by up to 10,000 times when exposed to blue light, acting like an on-off switch. This discovery could lead to enhanced and optimized optogenetic tools and medical treatments.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalScience Advances·TypeImaging analysis·DateAug 3, 2023