Articles tagged with Macromolecules
Emerging non-endocytic delivery strategies enable direct cytosolic delivery of proteins, nucleic acids, and gene-editing tools, providing new opportunities for biomedical therapies. The review discusses their application prospects in gene therapy, macromolecular drug delivery, and cellular engineering.
The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research has launched a new international visiting student program with Virginia Tech, providing six graduate and undergraduate students from the US with three-month research opportunities in Mainz. The Poly-ABROAD Program aims to strengthen international scientific exchange in polymer and materials...
Researchers at Okayama University develop a novel photochemical strategy for macrolactonization, transforming hydroxyaldehydes into large ring lactones. The method avoids harsh conditions and multi-step procedures, making it attractive for scaling up synthesis and improving cost-effectiveness.
A new study by Colorado State University outlines a path to creating advanced, recyclable plastics using natural poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB). The breakthrough method involves stereodivergent catalysis, which enables the production of enantiopure PHAs with improved properties for various applications.
A UMass Amherst graduate student's groundbreaking discovery reveals that neutral polyzwitterions take sides in the presence of electrical stimuli, contradicting conventional wisdom. The study opens new avenues for biomedical research, including protein analysis and drug delivery.
Researchers at the University of Sydney are using Zwitterions to create materials that can prevent blood clots from forming in medical devices and implants. They have successfully created a zwitterionic coating that repels water beyond the material's boundaries.
Semi-crystalline polymers' structure and properties depend on molecular chain entanglement. The researchers developed a model to predict their microscopic structure and properties, offering potential improvements or replacements with more sustainable materials.
A University of Virginia-led study challenges traditional understanding of associative polymers' behavior, revealing that reversible bonds slow down polymer movement without creating a rubbery network. This discovery has implications for materials used in sustainability, health, and engineering applications.
Researchers at the University of Groningen discovered that cells separate essential biochemical reactions into different time periods. This separation explains metabolic oscillations leading up to cell division and has implications for our understanding of cellular physiology, cancer, and aging.
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst discovered that uniformly charged macromolecules can self-assemble into large structures through dipole-dipole interactions. This finding highlights the importance of dipoles in biological assembly processes and offers new insights into life's fundamental mysteries.
A team of researchers from Ritsumeikan University in Japan has elucidated the mechanism behind the liquid-solid phase transition of FUS protein that leads to ALS. They discovered a new therapeutic target, arginine, which suppresses FUS aggregation and could delay ALS progression.
The Gerlich Group at IMBA found that histone acetylation establishes a sharp surface boundary on chromosomes, resisting microtubule perforation. Chromatin phase separation and DNA looping by condensin cooperates to build mitotic chromosomes with unique physical properties.
Researchers from Tokyo University of Science discovered that bony fish head cartilage contains abundant proteoglycans, including aggrecan, with similar CS structures to salmon nasal cartilage. This finding reveals the potential of sturgeon as an alternative source of CSPGs for health food formulations.
A UK team is developing personalized ‘theranostic’ dressings that speed up wound healing while providing diagnostic information. The dressings feature biomimetic macromolecules that replicate natural tissue structures, kickstarting the body’s healing processes.
A team of researchers has developed a polymer that can form folded (ordered) and unfolded (disordered) domains using UV irradiation. The polymer's structure is controlled by non-bonding interactions between monomers, allowing it to be manipulated after formation.
Researchers at Universidad Complutense de Madrid developed new image processing methods to enhance the analysis and three-dimensional reconstruction of biological macromolecules. The methods, published in Nature Communications, improved the visualization and quality of cryogenic electron microscopy-derived 3D reconstructions.
Researchers develop a method to create complex, low-symmetry structures by assembling organic monomers into cyclic macromolecules. These 'foldamers' mimic the properties of biopolymers and offer an ideal model system to study protein folding and interactions.
Researchers discovered that food-grade polymers can completely eliminate aerosolization of saliva droplets in dental settings. The polymers' viscoelastic properties restrict water aerosolization by creating snakelike strands that pull droplets back, preventing aerosolization.
New research shows that particle transport in crowded cells can be faster than in non-crowded environments, especially when moving from densely crowded areas to less crowded ones. The study used microfluidics and tracer colloids to investigate the effects of non-uniformly distributed crowding molecules on particle movement.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new storage method that uses molecules to encode information, potentially preserving the contents of the New York Public Library in a teaspoon of protein. The approach uses oligopeptides and mass spectrometry to store data in a stable and low-energy format.
Scientists have developed a kinder gentler way to deliver big molecules like Cas9 enzyme into cells, improving efficiency and safety. The new technique, nanopore-electroporation, creates fewer than a dozen tiny holes in each cell, allowing for more effective gene editing and delivery of therapeutic proteins.
Scientists at UMass Amherst create a many-compartmented gel to trap large DNA molecules, exhibiting a 'topologically frustrated' inability to diffuse. The discovery has implications for gene therapy and tissue therapy, where precise control over macromolecules is crucial.
Researchers developed a theoretical method to calculate biomolecule conformations and demonstrate consistency with experimental results. The model sheds light on the role of amino acid structures in protein functions, revealing potential for extrapolating properties to larger systems.
Researchers have developed a method to pattern materials with features as small as one nanometer, enabling the study of material properties at the atomic level. The technique has potential applications in materials engineering and could lead to the creation of new materials with unique properties.
Scientists successfully produce stable Pickering emulsions by inducing depletion force between solid particles and liquid droplets. This technology has significant implications for industries such as separation film, systems engineering, drug delivery, and sensors.
Chemists at KIT have developed a method to control the setup of precision polymers by light-induced chemical reactions. This allows for precise arrangement of chain links, leading to defined properties and potential applications as storage systems or synthetic biomolecules. The new synthesis reaction is reported in Nature Communications.
A new theory by Murugappan Muthukumar accurately measures charged macromolecules like proteins and DNA. The Stokes-Einstein formula works for charged molecules by accounting for small ions that neutralize charges.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that DNA naturally fluoresces under certain conditions, allowing for label-free super-resolution imaging without the need for toxic fluorescent stains. This breakthrough could revolutionize the understanding of biological processes by providing more accurate images of living cells.
Researchers found a network of lymphatic vessels in the meningeal linings of the brain, directly connected to systemic lymphatic networks. This discovery raises new questions about fundamental brain functions and mechanisms of brain diseases.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University successfully separated and weighed a mixture of intact virus particles using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization MS. This technique, called heavy ion mass spectrometry, allows for the analysis of viruses that are too large to be detected by standard instruments.
Researchers have developed a novel nucleating agent that improves crystal quality for reluctant proteins and boosts the probability of success in high-throughput trials. The modified molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) is suitable for automated optimization, making it a potent tool for structural biologists.
University of Groningen scientists have created a molecular sensor to measure crowding in living cells, allowing for the quantification of macromolecule concentrations. The sensor uses Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to detect changes in protein-protein interactions and provides valuable insights into cellular function.
A team of researchers discovered that negatively charged molecules in biological scaffolds act like an 'ion sponge,' capturing calcium ions to guide crystallization. This new understanding may aid in developing advanced materials for energy and environmental applications.
Researchers have developed a new type of plastic that can conduct electricity, paving the way for innovative applications such as transparent solar cells, flexible batteries, and ultrathin coatings. The plastic, called PTMA, is about 10 times more electrically conductive than common semiconducting polymers.
Researchers developed a novel process to convert rice, parsley and vegetable waste into biodegradable plastic films with promising traits. The bioplastics have the potential to replace non-degrading polymers and provide a more environmentally friendly option for replacing synthetic plastics.
Scientists used 'Temporal Dominance of Sensations' technique to visualize perceptions while eating vanilla ice cream. Key findings include the role of hydrocolloids in eliminating cold-ice sensation and enhancing creaminess.
Researchers at University College London found that certain molecular vibrations in plant cells exhibit non-classical behavior, enhancing the efficiency of energy transfer during photosynthesis. This discovery challenges classical physics explanations and has implications for understanding other biological processes.
Research team develops co-assembly approach to create complex nanostructures with preprogrammed properties. The nanoparticles, resembling caterpillar larva, can be designed with specific functions and stimuli responsiveness.
University of Helsinki researchers have developed photochemically active polymers that can switch from a trans conformation to a cis conformation using light. This phenomenon allows for the creation of complex patterns and designs in liquids, opening up new possibilities for materials science and optics.
Romanian scientists have discovered a novel approach for the optical manipulation of macromolecules and biological cells using green photon beams. This method enables precise control over macrostructures, such as biological proteins, outperforming traditional optical tweezers.
Researchers created a synthetic polymer that mimics the binding of HIV to immune system cells, effectively blocking the virus from entering the body. The study suggests this polymer could be used in condoms or vaginal gels to prevent the spread of HIV by sexual contact.
Researchers at NYU have created a novel way to enhance MRI by reducing interference from large macromolecules that can obscure images. This method has the potential to improve MRI for cartilage as well as brain tissue, allowing for more accurate diagnoses.
Scientists observe unusual orientation behavior of small particles flowing through thin capillaries, which changes direction at narrow points. This discovery has significant implications for technical spinning processes and the understanding of vascular stenosis.
Researchers discovered that random patches of disordered electric charges can induce a twisting force strong enough to affect biological objects at nanometers or micrometers away. This phenomenon could help understand patterns in biology, such as lock and key interactions.
A new substance, F-ara-Edu, labels DNA with little to no impact on genome function, allowing for the visualization of DNA synthesis in vivo. This approach enables the identification of virus infection and cancerous growth sites due to abundant DNA replication in these tissues.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a new method to account for missing thermodynamic and molecular parameters in molecular dynamic simulations. This approach allows for more accurate predictions of material behavior under various conditions, reducing the need for trial-and-error experimentation. By refocusing inform...
Researchers have developed a method to prevent phthalates from migrating from PVC plastics, leading to safer products and reduced health risks. The approach permanently bonds plasticizers to the internal structure of PVC, suppressing migration and improving product durability.
Scientists develop a simple model for complex cell structure by creating artificial cells with molecular crowding and heterogeneity. The system mimics the behavior of proteins and nucleic acids in living cells, allowing researchers to study the effects of macromolecular crowding on chemical reactions.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have created soy-based macromolecules with comparable reactivity to isocyanates, a toxic intermediate used in many polymer products. The soy-based polymers demonstrate improved mechanical properties and are considered a safer alternative.
A new hydrogel sealant, made from biocompatible dendritic macromolecules and poly(ethylene glycol), seals corneal incisions more effectively than suturing or self-sealing, preventing infection and trauma.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new class of self-assembling designer molecules that mimic nature's system of organizing living tissue. These molecules can be programmed and exhibit a rich phase behavior, making them suitable for applications in batteries, fuel cells, and solar cells.
Researchers discovered yeast cells can recycle their nucleus by removing non-essential components, a critical process for maintaining cellular health. This finding has implications for understanding human diseases such as Bloom's disease, where pieces of nuclei are pinched off into the cytoplasm.
The project focuses on fundamental breakthroughs in nanostructured macromolecular materials, with potential applications in military uniforms, miniaturized machines, displays, sensors, and actuators. Branched macromolecules will be studied to provide information for the development of high-tech surfaces and structures.
The AAPS Workshop on Bioanalytical Methods Validation (BMV) for Macromolecules aims to determine industry standards and validation considerations for quantitative macromolecule-detecting technologies. The workshop will develop a report on bioanalytical validation criteria and standardization of terminology.