Articles tagged with Chemical Biology
Researchers have developed a new method to generate cyclic peptides that can target diseases and be administered orally, overcoming challenges in protein binding. The approach enables high-throughput screening and has shown substantial bioavailability in rats, opening possibilities for treating various diseases.
A study by Johns Hopkins Medicine has identified teneurin-3 as a key protein for stabilizing the body's circadian rhythms. The protein helps wire the brain during neural development to allow for stable responses to light changes, reducing the impact of disruptions on sleep and other cycles.
New research reveals that exposing men to women's emotional tears can lower aggression and reduce revenge-seeking behavior. The study found that sniffing tears leads to reduced brain activity related to aggression, resulting in less aggressive behavior.
Researchers in Chile developed a prototype using microorganisms to remove VOCs and PAHs from indoor air, achieving efficiencies above 90%. The system can operate for 8 months without losing efficiency. This breakthrough offers a potentially low-cost solution to improve indoor air quality.
Scientists have discovered the protein that enables poison dart frogs to accumulate and store potent toxins in their skin for self-defence against predators. The findings may suggest potential therapeutic strategies for treating humans poisoned with similar molecules.
The 15th annual horizon scan highlights 15 key conservation issues, including declining invertebrate populations and altering marine ecosystems. The study emphasizes the need for continued innovation in sustainable energy technologies to address climate change.
The Janelia Fluor dyes have become a staple in biology labs worldwide, and the team has now expanded their spectrum with a new set of far-red shifted dyes that can penetrate deeper into tissue. The researchers developed a novel chemistry to synthesize these dyes, enabling them to create dozens of functional versions relatively quickly.
Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a detailed understanding of microfluidic post-array devices, which are used to create monodisperse emulsions with controlled droplet size. The team found that effective capillary number and specific geometric parameters play crucial roles in droplet formation.
Researchers discovered how biological information travels between mothers and babies during pregnancy. Microscopic extracellular vesicles, produced by placental cells, act as a protective mechanism transporting important biological information to emerging neurons.
Researchers have discovered that the waxy protective barrier around plants plays a role in sending chemical signals to other plants and insects. This discovery might eventually be harnessed to develop stronger plants that can deal with challenging environmental conditions.
Researchers from Flinders University have found that dust contains distinct chemical and biological signatures that can be used to link a crime scene. The study, published in Forensic Science International Genetics, suggests that dust could be a valuable tool in forensic intelligence gathering.
Researchers at Université de Montréal's Department of Chemistry have created a new fluorogenic probe to study interactions between sugars and proteins, which are essential to life. The probe can visualize these interactions using fluorescence, providing a valuable tool for studying biological processes critical to human health.
Researchers have discovered two new cofactorless oxygenases, TnmJ and TnmK2, which enable bacteria to produce compounds for targeting and breaking up DNA. This breakthrough offers a potentially easier way to study and manufacture complex natural chemicals, including those that could become medicines.
Researchers successfully produced alstonine, a naturally occurring substance with potential for treating mental disorders, using genetically engineered yeast cells. The yeast platform has the potential to discover and develop plant-based medicines, including those for schizophrenia.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory used quantum biology and artificial intelligence to sharpen the CRISPR Cas9 genome editing tool, improving its efficiency on microbes. The new model revealed key features about nucleotides that enable better guide RNA selection.
The research team led by Michal Hocek successfully pushes the boundaries of DNA structure and function. They demonstrate that heavily modified double helices are stable enough to be used in medicine, mimicking natural molecules with therapeutic potential.
A drug currently in clinical trials as a cancer therapy can also stimulate pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin, revealing a new mechanism for insulin regulation in type 2 diabetes. The preclinical discovery provides a new chemical tool for probing the biology of diabetes and could lead to better treatments.
Researchers have identified a crucial biological trigger of Huntington's disease, finding that methylation converts an important protein into waste. By targeting this process, they may develop effective therapies for other neurodegenerative diseases.
A new type of algal threat is displacing corals globally due to blocking sunlight and producing harmful chemicals. Peyssonnelioid alga crusts are expanding quickly across reefs, killing off corals and transforming entire ecosystems.
Researchers discovered a unique protein in bristle worms that distinguishes between sunlight and moonlight. The protein, L-Cry, disassembles under intense light and forms a stable connection in the dark.
An international team recorded real-time chemical activity in the human brain using clinical electrodes, providing insights into the brain's chemistry and its implications for various medical conditions. The groundbreaking methodology has opened a window to never-before-seen brain activity.
Researchers at UC Riverside successfully engineered a plant to turn beet red in the presence of a banned pesticide, enabling an environmental sensor without damaging its native metabolism. This breakthrough opens up possibilities for detecting other toxic substances like drugs and birth control pills in water supply.
Formaldehyde is a toxic chemical known to cause cancer but also plays an important role in human biology. New compounds developed by University of Leicester researchers allow for controlled release of formaldehyde in cells, enabling precise measurement of its effects.
A special supplement presents insights on neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, affecting 55 million people worldwide. Researchers explore novel molecular pathways and therapeutic approaches, such as acupuncture therapy, to alleviate the burden of brain disorders.
Five lung stem cell variants dominate CF lungs, causing inflammation, fibrosis, and mucin secretion. CFTR modulators fail to suppress these inflammatory variants, suggesting they as key targets for new drugs.
A study found that ocean acidification reduced the strength and density of fleshy seaweed tissues, making them more fragile and susceptible to damage. The research suggests that this could have drastic effects on coastal ecosystems, leading to a decrease in seaweed coverage and negatively impacting organisms dependent on these habitats.
A new AI-based system can detect signs of biological life in samples with high accuracy, enabling the search for life on other planets. The system uses machine-learning methods to analyze data from various sources and predict whether a sample is biological or non-biological.
Research found ginger consumption makes neutrophils more resistant to NETosis, a process that contributes to inflammation and autoimmune diseases. Ginger supplementation also boosted chemical levels in neutrophils, inhibiting NETosis in response to disease-relevant stimuli.
Associate Professor Tadashi Ando from Tokyo University of Science conducted a study to test the performance of OPC and OPC3 water models, evaluating their shear viscosities and comparing values to experimental calculations. The calculated viscosities for both models were very close, with notable accuracy at temperatures above 310 K.
The team created a proof-of-concept nanocapsule capable of delivering specific payloads to targeted locations, with potential applications in drug delivery, nutrient transport, and other fields. By using calcium metal ions as building blocks, they can generate identical reservoirs for different substances.
Researchers at Aarhus University have unraveled the mystery of how lipid layers on cell surfaces accelerate Parkinson's disease misfolding. The study reveals that elevated concentrations cause alpha-synuclein to adopt an upright conformation, leading to easier refolding into dangerous aggregates.
The study reveals that NO forms a new compound, NO-ferroheme, which significantly expands blood vessels and directly activates guanylyl cyclase. This finding challenges the long-held hypothesis on nitric oxide signalling in blood vessels.
Researchers at UTSA are studying the bioactive properties of Sweet Annie, a plant used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2,000 years. The study reveals that arteannuin B from the plant has anti-COVID and anti-glioblastoma properties, offering new avenues for targeted therapy.
A research team from Tokyo University of Science has developed a novel synthesis route to produce a wide variety of sulfinate esters using readily available compounds. The new method uses thioesters, which are odorless and stable, eliminating the challenges associated with handling thiols.
The NSF Science and Technology Center for Quantitative Cell Biology will create whole-cell models to transform understanding of cell function. The center will use cutting-edge imaging and simulation tools, including Minecraft, to advance research into gene expression, metabolism, and division.
Scientists have extended a powerful molecule-building method to the broad class of chemicals known as alcohols, enabling the transformation of simple alcohols into useful molecules. The new approach uses weak interactions between ligands and starting molecules, similar to those used by enzymes in nature.
Researchers from the University of Groningen created a synthetic system that exhibits eco-evolutionary dynamics, where replicators adapt to their environment and undergo natural selection. The system consists of two different ring sizes that compete for a common building block, with one replicator emerging as dominant in certain enviro...
A study published in Cell Chemical Biology reveals that cannabidiol (CBD) from hemp acts as a molecular switch in innate immune cells to promote the biosynthesis of inflammation-resolving lipid mediators. This finding holds promise for developing new therapeutic strategies to treat inflammatory diseases.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed an isochoric vitrification technique that preserves and revives live coral fragments without forming ice. This breakthrough enables the collection of coral samples throughout the year, supporting conservation efforts to protect reefs and their diverse ecosystems.
Scientists created a unique data process that provides valuable insights into how drugs are processed in the body and their impact on biochemical responses. The approach reveals detailed maps of drug transformation and allows for simultaneous discovery of fate and effects.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a single scaffolding protein, TCOF1, responsible for forming a biomolecular condensate within the nucleolus. The findings suggest that this condensate played a crucial role in the evolutionary shift from a bipartite to a tripartite nucleolus 300 million years ago.
Researchers from University of Freiburg and University of Cambridge have observed dynamic molecular aggregates in cells for the first time. These condensates play a crucial role in controlling biochemical processes and are regulated by active biological mechanisms, not just physical forces.
A new technique combining ultrafast physics and spectroscopy reveals the dance of molecular 'coherence' in unprecedented clarity. This shows a vibrational effect, rather than motion for the functional part of the biological reaction that follows.
A £1.75m project led by Professor Chenyu Du aims to develop new processes for recovering polyester and cellulose from mixed cotton and polyester fibres. The goal is to create a roadmap towards net-zero for the textiles industry, reducing plastic waste and increasing recycling rates.
A study found that small-molecule autocatalytic reactions can lead to the growth and division of compartments, mimicking cell reproduction. The reaction triggers the formose reaction, which consumes formaldehyde and produces glycolaldehyde, allowing compartments to grow and divide under external influence.
Researchers discovered CYP450s exhibit unique soft-robotic properties, acting as sensors and responding to stimuli. The findings open up new avenues in soft-robotics research, potentially revolutionizing fields like AI design and nanomachine synthesis.
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.
A novel Raman technique called thermostable-Raman-interaction-profiling (TRIP) allows for label-free and highly reproducible Raman spectroscopy measurements, breaking a 50-year-old challenge. The TRIP method enables the detection of protein-ligand interactions in real-time, potentially shortening drug and vaccine testing timelines.
Scientists at Max Delbrück Center discovered two lead compounds that inhibit activation of IKK/NF-κB pathway only when triggered by DNA double-strand breaks. These substances make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy, potentially increasing the success rate of genotoxic cancer therapies.
A new study uses machine learning to analyze data from DrugAge, a database of chemical compounds modulating lifespan in model organisms. The researchers create four types of datasets to predict whether or not a compound extends the lifespan of C. elegans, using features such as compound-protein interactions and Gene Ontology terms.
Researchers at California Polytechnic State University have developed a novel method for storing biological materials such as RNA and proteins in a solid-state, resembling a pill or tablet that dissolves in water for on-demand use. This innovation overcomes current limitations in storage and handling, making it easier to access these m...
The study evaluates recent research on artificial intelligence-generated molecular structures from the perspective of medicinal chemists, recommending guidelines for assessing novelty and validity. Insilico Medicine's recommendations aim to improve the process of generating and evaluating novel AI-generated drugs.
A team of scientists at Harvard Medical School has identified six chemical cocktails that can restore cellular aging and rejuvenate human cells. The study builds upon the discovery of Yamanaka factors, which can convert adult cells into induced pluripotent stem cells, raising hopes for treating age-related diseases and injuries. The im...
Researchers found that bitter taste receptors can detect and respond to bile acids, which are produced in the liver and play a crucial role in fat digestion. The discovery suggests that bitter taste receptors may have evolved not only to detect food toxins but also to sense endogenous substances.
Kolomeisky aims to develop analytical models that quantify the role of heterogeneity in chemical and biological processes. He plans to explore its impact on catalytic reactions, antimicrobial peptides and early cancer development.
The new VOLT Center aims to understand the interactions between organisms, environment, and atmosphere regarding volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which influence global climate. Researchers will study the production, consumption, and effects of VOCs from various organisms, including bacteria, plankton, and plants.
A novel framework guides informed and effective soil management as carbon sinks, considering context-dependent environmental conditions. Management targeting 'labile' carbon is more effective in increasing carbon sequestration than focusing on 'stabilized' carbon.
Researchers at MIT have created a metal-free, Jell-O-like material that can conduct electricity similarly to conventional metals. The material is made into a printable ink, which the researchers patterned into flexible, rubbery electrodes.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have devised a chemical transformation called phosphorus fluoride exchange (PFEx), which efficiently assembles complex molecules. This click chemistry method uses phosphorous as a connector, inspired by biology's use of phosphorus in DNA and energy-storing molecules.
Researchers at the University of Helsinki discovered a small molecule that inhibits cytokine protein formation, alleviating rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in mice. This breakthrough enables the rational design of novel molecules for disease prevention and treatment.