Articles tagged with Chemical Biology
McGill researchers have discovered how bacteria create cyanophycin granules, a reserve of nitrogen and energy. The study uses cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography to visualize the active enzyme in action, opening up possibilities for biotech applications.
Researchers at UC Berkeley engineered bacteria to produce an unnatural molecule through a combination of synthetic chemistry and biology. This breakthrough enables the creation of previously impossible chemicals, paving the way for sustainable materials and innovative products.
Researchers at Arizona State University explore alternative approaches to catalysis, a chemical process crucial for industrial applications. The study aims to develop synthetic catalysts that can improve on nature's designs, leading to the production of carbon-neutral fuels.
Hülle cells in Aspergillus fungi produce chemicals that deter predators and aid fruiting structure development. These chemicals are crucial for the fungus' protection against hungry predators.
Researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Food Systems Biology have identified the 'caramel receptor', which recognizes furaneol, a natural odorant found in fruits and coffee. This discovery contributes to a better understanding of molecular coding of food flavors.
A new fluorescent probe, NeutropG, selectively stains healthy neutrophils in blood samples, allowing for accurate quantification. The Metabolism-Oriented Live-cell Distinction (MOLD) method enables the selective identification of active neutrophils without affecting their native functions.
Researchers developed Gd-doped iron oxide nanoclusters to improve MRI contrast for early-stage cancer diagnosis. The doping content increased the nanocluster's surface area, leading to stronger T2 contrast.
Researchers have identified the potential of 7HP349 as an oral medication to strengthen the effectiveness of vaccines, particularly for populations that struggle with immunosuppression. The study suggests adding 7HP349 to standard vaccination can improve vaccine efficacy without reformulating the vaccine.
Researchers at Kyoto University designed a synthetic molecular code, EnPGC-1, that activates mitochondrial biogenesis in T cells, increasing their numbers and longevity. The approach enhances anti-tumor immunity in mice and improves survival.
Researchers created artificial cell-like structures that autonomously ingest, process and push out material, recreating a vital function of living cells. The synthetic microscopic structures have potential applications in drug delivery and environmental science.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed optimized yeast extracts for cell-free biosynthesis, enabling faster and more efficient chemical production. This breakthrough integrates cellular engineering with cell-free systems, paving the way for sustainable alternatives to current petrochemical processes.
Scientists at Kyoto University developed a chemical compound that can tag and remove mutant DNA sequences from mitochondria, potentially treating mitochondrial diseases. The approach overcomes existing problems with genetic material injection and antioxidant drugs.
Robyn Tanguay, a renowned toxicologist, has received an $8 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. She plans to use this funding to conduct large-scale studies on zebrafish embryos exposed to 10,000 common chemicals, which could lead to significant breakthroughs in predictive toxicology.
Researchers at POSTECH developed a 'core@shell' nanocrystal technology that harnesses interfacial synergy for efficient catalysis. The innovative approach produces high-energy conversion rates and enables remote operation of catalysts, opening doors to various applications in sustainable energy and biotechnology.
Research at Washington University in St. Louis reveals that white clover's chemical defense against insect pests comes from both of its parental species, not just one as previously thought. The plant's ecological success can be attributed to this cyanogenesis process.
Researchers from Osaka University have demonstrated a rapid and robust chemical method for preparing highly pure glycoproteins. The new synthetic route uses an unprecedented amide bond formation reaction to form a junction between two functional peptides, resulting in a reliable means of synthesizing glycoproteins with little waste of ...
A recent UC Riverside study reveals that neonicotinoids, commonly used in commercial plant nurseries, are deadly to bees regardless of watering levels. The research found a 90% decrease in bee reproduction with both high and low irrigation levels, highlighting the need for alternative management practices to reduce harm to pollinators.
Researchers suggest that volcanic eruptions comparable to Krakatau on Earth could be responsible for the presence of phosphine in Venus' atmosphere. The study models calculate that small amounts of phosphides from deep mantle sources could react with sulfuric acid to form phosphine.
Researchers John Schwabe and Daniel Panne have been awarded £3.89 million to investigate gene regulation, with a focus on histone deacetylase complexes and DNA folding. The study aims to understand how genes are regulated and its potential in treating diseases such as cancer and Alzheimer's.
Scientists have developed a more efficient way to perform biological and chemical experiments using microfluidic chips, reducing collisions by 300% with strategically placed obstacles
The co-planar optoelectrowetting device allows for individualized and parallel droplet actuation, increasing microfluidic input/output system integration configurations while achieving faster droplet speeds. The open-top design enables easier access to droplets from above, improving the performance of the device.
A team of researchers has created a nanostructured microscope coverslip that allows high-contrast pseudo 3D images of unstained biological cells to be obtained. This breakthrough method enables the visualization of cell shape and nucleus details, crucial for disease detection.
Rein Ulijn, a CUNY professor, receives the Vannevar Bush Faculty Fellowship to study complex mixtures of molecules and develop new biomimetic materials with diverse applications in biomedicine and green technology. The fellowship supports his research on repurposing nature's molecules to design novel functions.
Medieval and early modern lawyers chose sheepskin over goatskin due to its high fat content, making it difficult to erase text without leaving visible marks. This study reveals the use of sheepskin parchment as an anti-fraud device in legal documents from the 13th to 20th century.
Whispering-gallery mode (WGM) microlasers exhibit extraordinary sensitivity for detecting physical, chemical, and biological entities, even down to single molecules. Active WGM microlasers have the potential to expand applications in biological and chemical sensing, particularly in in vivo sensing.
Researchers at UNC-Chapel Hill develop collaborative strategy to test hypothesis on how tiny chemicals formed basic biochemistry four billion years ago. They aim to enhance understanding of cellular processes to detect new disease treatment strategies and inspire life outside Earth.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new manufacturing technique that uses spinning and curing to form soft, solid structures resembling artificial hairs. The method leverages simple physics to solve engineering problems and promises to play a key role in developing robotic sensing capabilities.
Researchers used advanced technique to study phenol reaction at air-water interface, revealing a 10,000-fold increase in reaction speed compared to bulk water. The findings could improve understanding of catalytic chemistry and its impact on the global environment.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a new technique to discover tiny antibody fragments that can target different parts of a pathogen, making them effective against variants. This approach has the potential to quickly identify multiple potent nanobodies that can neutralize pathogens.
Herbert Waldmann has been awarded the Richard Willstätter Prize for his groundbreaking work in chemical biology. He is recognized for developing novel approaches to create new active substances that can target specific biological processes, such as stopping cancer cell glucose uptake.
A new type of high-performance optical sensor has been demonstrated that utilizes the surface tension of liquid to concentrate and trap analyte molecules at sensitive locations, enhancing sensitivity performance. The sensor can detect picogram levels of analyte mass with readily detectable optical signals.
University at Buffalo researchers have created a chemical sensing chip that approaches quantum limit capabilities, enabling quick and accurate detection of drugs and trace chemicals. The chip uses surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology to identify unique light-scattering signatures of chemicals.
The Smellicopter drone uses a live moth antenna to sense chemicals in the air and navigate towards sources of interest. It can also avoid obstacles using infrared sensors and doesn't require GPS, making it suitable for exploring indoor or underground spaces.
A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine found that the Andes virus, carried by wild rodents, can cause severe respiratory disease in humans through extensive person-to-person contact. The outbreak in a small village in Argentina had the most extensive recorded human-to-human transmission of the virus to date.
The University of Oklahoma faculty member will explore innovative ways to break down various types of plastic, including multi-layered packaging, to increase recyclability. The research aims to design catalysts that target impurities, producing a pure stream of higher value material.
A research team is working on developing new tools to guide the discovery and optimization of new antibacterial agents, addressing the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.
Rutgers scientists expand Darwin's theory of evolution to consider DNA stability as an energy code, enabling analysis of the human genome and explaining long-term survival of species characteristics. The study's findings provide new ways to analyze genomes and potentially improve selection of DNA targets for therapeutics.
A new grant will enable scientists to deploy 500 robotic ocean-monitoring floats around the globe, collecting data on ocean chemistry and biology between the surface and 2,000 meters. The project aims to improve computer models of ocean fisheries and climate, and monitor the effects of ocean warming and acidification.
The NUS team has developed a method to convert crustacean shells and wood waste into L-DOPA, a widely used drug for Parkinson's disease, and Proline, essential for collagen and cartilage formation. The process combines chemical and biological approaches, potentially reducing reliance on non-renewable fossil fuels.
The study creates controlled X-ray radiation with a narrow spectrum, tunable at high resolution, from advanced van der Waals materials. This innovation has the potential to replace expensive facilities and enable new applications in medical imaging, chemical analysis, and security screening.
Researchers aim to develop compact and portable NMR devices that can detect metabolic disorders and analyze fuels, biofluids, and food extracts. Dr. Danila Barskiy's new group will focus on zero-to-ultra-low field magnetic resonance technology.
A team of researchers at Binghamton University has created a porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) material that improves the breathability and accuracy of wearable biosensors. The new material allows for sweat evaporation during exercise, maintaining high-resolution signals.
Scientists have discovered a metal-free carbon-based catalyst with potential to transform chemical manufacturing, enabling more efficient reactions without expensive transition metals. The catalysts are robust and deliver unexpected catalytic reactions for various processes including hydrogenolysis, dehydrogenation, and hydrogenation.
The Chemical Checker tool uses a similarity principle to analyze over 1M compounds and identify potential treatments for diseases. It has been used to reposition approved drugs for Alzheimer's disease and identify substitutes for expensive biologics.
Stress granules and P-bodies are formed when external stress halts the RNA assembly line, clumping RNA together. Researchers discovered a simple principle underlying their assembly, revealing how protein-rich compartments condense from cytoplasm into liquid droplets. This understanding may lead to new therapeutics for diseases of aging.
Two studies on foxgloves published by University at Buffalo biologist Zhen Wang investigate the production of cardiac glycosides. The research aims to improve the time-consuming and labor-intensive process of farming foxgloves, which currently takes two years to produce a small amount of the compound digoxin.
A new study using wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) analyzes caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol consumption in a large university population, providing valuable data on psychotropic compound use. The findings highlight the utility of long-term monitoring networks for improving student health and identifying disease trends.
A new microfluidic process using yield-stress fluids creates an undisturbed environment for experimentation, observation, and processing of biological and chemical reactions. This can lead to the development of high-potency medicines with improved quality and better results.
Researchers have identified a new class of RNA caps in bacteria that play a crucial role in stress response and degradation under starvation conditions. These findings provide insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying environmental adaptation.
Researchers at the University of Freiburg have discovered a novel flavin N5-peroxide that reacts differently than previously known flavin C4a-peroxide, enabling the breakdown of stable chemical compounds and environmental pollutants.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $8 million in funding to seven research projects studying soil signals to advance sustainable agriculture, climate change and food production. Researchers will develop new methods to capture, communicate and analyze soil processes, including sensors and data tools.
Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München have developed a tool that allows for the selective degradation of essential proteins in cells using light or chemicals. This method enables the study of protein function without relying on genetic mutations or gene deletion, which is often not possible for essential proteins.
Researchers use a new method combining visual microscopic observations and photoemission spectrum registration to create a map of cell surface physical and chemical state. The team studied Escherichia coli cells, which produce ferritin-like proteins that can be used for nanosized constructions.
A new laser-based system has been developed to detect and measure the levels of all biomolecules, including proteins, sugars, fats, and their derivatives. This technique offers unparalleled sensitivity and can be used for all known classes of biomolecules, enabling the detection of precancerous and malignant cells in body fluids.
A research team from HKU developed a novel deep learning approach to predict disease-associated mutations in metal-binding sites. The approach uses spatial features and physicochemical sequential features to train a model, achieving an AUC of 0.90 and accuracy of 0.82.
The MagLev method uses magneto-Archimedes levitation to separate and isolate different drugs from sample mixtures, allowing for precise identification. The technique can distinguish between up to seven substances simultaneously and has the potential to complement or replace existing portable drug identification techniques.
Scientists have developed a new imaging technique that allows for fast and precise tracking of biological molecules using gold, silver, and gold-silver alloy nanoparticles. This breakthrough enables the visualization of molecular movements in unprecedented detail, opening up new avenues for understanding cellular processes.
A Rutgers-led team has created an automated system to produce polymers, enabling the rapid creation of unique materials with special properties. This innovation aims to improve human health through various applications such as drugs and regenerative medicine.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in cell-free gene expression, enabling high-yielding protein synthesis and expanding genetically encoded chemistry. This has opened doors to create new types of enzymes, materials, and therapeutics. Northwestern University's Center for Synthetic Biology is at the forefront of this field.
The University of Konstanz's Collaborative Research Centre 969 will continue its research in cellular proteostasis with a new funding period starting January 2020. The centre will focus on studying complex processes and networks of proteostasis, developing new techniques to make these processes visible and controllable.