Articles tagged with Cryo Electron Microscopy
A new 3D-structure study reveals BRD4's unexpected ability to bind to chromosomes without a molecular signal, shedding light on its role in cancer and potential treatments. The discovery could lead to a better understanding of BRD4's function and its interaction with other proteins.
Researchers developed PASR, a computational method that recovers higher-frequency structural information from cryo-EM datasets, improving map quality and enabling higher-resolution reconstructions. The approach may reduce microscope usage time and data-storage demands for analyzing large, flexible, or heterogeneous biological complexes.
Researchers from NUS Medicine and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered how blood cells release S1P, a key signalling lipid, into the bloodstream. S1P plays a crucial role in keeping blood vessels healthy and supporting normal cell function. The study used cryo-electron microscopy and computer simulations to capture a d...
Human norovirus, a leading cause of gastroenteritis, exhibits conformational changes in its capsid structure, influencing viral infectivity and immune evasion. The study's findings provide a new understanding of the virus's dynamics and may lead to the development of next-generation vaccines and antiviral therapies.
The study reveals how the encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) hijacks host ribosomes and translational factors to translate viral genes while blocking host gene translation. Targeting this mechanism could lead to new treatments for EMCV and similar viruses like poliovirus.
Researchers have determined the cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of E. coli TGT, overturning a prevailing model for bacterial TGT function. The study reveals the enzyme binds to two tRNAs, providing a more complete picture of protein modification and potential antivirulence targets.
Researchers at University of Münster and National and Kapodistrian University of Athens used cryo-electron microscopy to elucidate the structure of UapA transporter, a key fungal transporter. The study reveals a specialized 'elevator-type' transport mechanism that could lead to new antifungal drug strategies.
The COCOON Lab provides a coordinated suite of microscopes that work together to connect macro-scale observations to findings at the nanoscale. This allows researchers to study biological and industrial materials in unprecedented detail, from the macroscale down to the molecular scale.
The study reveals how genetic mutations disrupt muscle signaling in CMS, a family of genetic disorders that weaken communication between nerves and muscles. Researchers identified promising new therapeutic opportunities, including a potential use for an existing antidepressant.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the 3D structure of Mfa pili in P. gingivalis, understanding its role in attaching to host tissues and other microbes. This information can aid in developing therapeutic strategies to block attachment and infection.
Physicists at UC Berkeley introduce phase contrast to electron microscopy, enabling clearer images of small molecules and structures inside cells. The laser phase plate enhances cryoelectron microscopy, overcoming signal-to-noise limitations and paving the way for new drug discovery.
Researchers at Biohub and UC Berkeley have developed a laser phase plate that dramatically improves contrast in cryo-electron microscopy images, allowing scientists to see small molecules and interactions within human cells. The device uses a laser 100 million times brighter than the Sun and is expected to revolutionize structural cell...
Researchers have uncovered the structural basis of Argonaute assembly, revealing that chaperone proteins hold it in an open conformation allowing miRNA loading. The study also found that RNA plays a key role in guiding Argonaute folding.
Researchers discovered a structural adaptation supporting the survival and mobility of a Dead Sea single-celled organism in harsh environments. The archaeal filament, powered by a membrane-anchored protein motor, is stiffened and strengthened with a unique outer sheath structure to facilitate movement in viscous conditions.
Proteins lose their hydration shell when environment becomes more acidic, a process that had remained unanswered for 50 years. Direct observation of individual water molecules reveals clear rules: certain amino acids bind or release water, leading to stable inner core regardless of pH level.
A team of scientists at Ohio State University identified a four-step process by which the managing protein converts precursor complex into a mature RISC. This discovery provides insight into RNA interference and could advance therapeutic siRNA development to silence problematic genes linked to diseases.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati's Center for Advanced Structural Biology have visualized the structure of iRhom1 bound to the ADAM17 enzyme, shedding light on its role in regulating cell surface protein targets. This breakthrough discovery may lead to new therapeutic strategies for treating chronic inflammatory diseases.
Researchers used cryo-EM to investigate the molecular basis of functional diversity in alcohol oxidase isozymes. The study found structural differences in cofactor binding and amino acid residues that affect enzyme stability and catalytic performance, ultimately resulting in distinct roles among the variants.
Researchers at Nagoya University have discovered a copper-dependent sensing system in plants that detects hydrogen peroxide, a key signaling molecule involved in stress responses and immunity. This finding paves the way for improving crop resilience and understanding plant responses to environmental stress and pathogens.
Researchers at University of Leeds discover how platelet myosin is normally kept inactive, but genetic mutations push it out of balance leading to disease. This breakthrough sheds light on the role of platelet myosin in blood clotting and shedding new hope for treating bleeding disorders.
Researchers have captured the most detailed structural images to date of a specific type of protein's DNA repair process, revealing key steps in its repair activities. The findings provide insights for drug targets that could halt the process in cancer cells empowered by mutated BRCA genes.
Researchers at Kyoto University have detailed the structure of Borna disease virus 1's nucleoprotein-RNA complex, revealing a distinct binding mode and incremental model of viral replication. The study provides a molecular framework for targeting viral RNA synthesis and assembly.
Researchers at ExCELLS/NIPS successfully determined the capsid structure of Melbournevirus at 4.4 Å resolution using cryo-EM. The study's 'block-based reconstruction method' improved resolution, revealing detailed arrangement of proteins constituting the massive capsid.
Researchers discovered that adding salt additives and water enables PEDOT:PSS to grow hair-like fibers conducting electricity. The material's stretchability and conductivity can be enhanced by adjusting the chemical makeup, making it suitable for bioelectronic devices.
Researchers have captured the first detailed images of TRPM8, a protein channel that responds to cold temperatures and triggers a nerve signal to the brain. The study reveals how menthol activates the channel through shared yet distinct allosteric networks, with implications for treating conditions like chronic pain and dry eye.
Scientists at HZI have developed a new technique to visualize the complex process of bacterial capsule production. They used cryo-electron microscopy to study the Wza-Wzc transport channel, which is responsible for knitting the sugar cloak that protects bacteria from the environment and immune cells.
Scientists have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism for initiating gene transcription in cells under stress. Using cryogenic electron microscopy, they observed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind to RNA polymerase, enabling the formation of alternative caps that protect cellular RNA.
The newly inaugurated cryo plasma-FIB scanning electron microscope with nanomanipulator at Goethe University Frankfurt enables imaging of living cells and provides new insights into cellular structures. Researchers can now visualize protein structures in their natural environment or trace cellular changes in diseases.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have uncovered crucial insights into how a new class of antiviral drugs works, shedding light on an important tool for fighting drug-resistant strains of herpes simplex virus. The discovery may lead to new pathways for treating herpesviruses and other kinds of DNA viruses.
Researchers at Lund University have discovered a cell's protective mechanism against excessive hydrogen peroxide, a key free radical. The study shows that the channel in the cell membrane closes automatically when high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide are detected, preventing damage and cell death.
A team of researchers has captured the process of synaptic vesicle fusion with neurotransmitters, revealing a direct form of vesicle recruitment that enables neurons to send signals over longer periods. This breakthrough could lead to targeted therapies for synaptic disorders and improve our understanding of brain function.
Intellicule will utilize state-of-the-art deep-learning techniques to expand structural modeling and analysis for cryo-EM data. The company aims to overcome current limitations in biomolecular modeling, enabling the detection of atoms in low-resolution images.
Researchers at MBL propose a model for how properties of individual molecules emerge to form liquid droplets called condensates. By combining imaging and computer simulations, they reveal the importance of linker DNA in determining condensate structure.
Scientists capture unprecedented detail of a large RNA molecule assembling itself into a functional machine, overcoming kinetic traps. The research reveals the dynamic process, including subtle movements that prompt each domain to enter at precisely the right moment.
Researchers have mapped the full structure of bacteriophage Bas63 using cryo-EM, revealing unique decoration proteins and a rare whisker and collar structure. The detailed structural information will enable rational phage design and engineering efforts for specificity and target regions.
Researchers have captured a key part of the ribosome formation process, revealing how cells coordinate, regulate, and safeguard protein factory creation. The 'molecular movie' shows the role of Mtr4 enzyme and Utp14 protein in assembly, as well as an elaborate system of built-in safeguards.
Researchers have unraveled the structure of two key malaria parasite proteins, offering opportunities for new vaccines that block mosquito transmission. The discovery is a significant step towards eradicating the deadly disease.
Researchers have developed a liquid helium-cooled sample holder that allows scientists to maintain specimen temperatures as low as -423 degrees Fahrenheit for over 10 hours. This enables the study of how materials acquire properties useful in quantum computers, such as superconductivity and quantum computing capabilities.
Five University of Groningen scientists receive €1.5 million ERC Starting Grants to study brain waves and memory, develop robots with a sense of touch, create ultra-hard coatings for extreme conditions, simulate exoplanet evolution, and explore actin-based motility of human pathogens
Researchers mapped the surface envelope glycoprotein of human endogenous retroviruses, opening doors to new diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities. The study revealed specific antibodies that target the viral proteins, potentially leading to new cancer immunotherapies and treatments for autoimmune diseases.
Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light developed a new method to resolve specific sites within mechanosensitive protein PIEZO1 in its native cell membrane state. The technique, using cryogenic conditions and rapid freezing, sheds light on how the protein flexes and expands in response to mechanical stimuli.
A team of researchers has established the first comprehensive model of how calcium is transported out of the cell by the plasma membrane Ca²⁺-ATPase, explaining its high speed. The model reveals that PIP₂ stabilizes calcium binding and facilitates rapid release, making it the pump's primary acceleration factor.
A new imaging method, combining cryo-TEM and EELS, allows for simultaneous visualization of structure and elemental distribution in nanomaterials. The technique has been successfully applied to organic nano-materials and biomaterials like hydroxyapatite particles.
Scientists have found that nucleosomes act as gatekeepers for p53's molecular partners, controlling its access to the genetic code. This discovery reveals a new layer of regulation over p53's activity and opens possibilities for developing cancer therapies that restore or control p53 function.
The study reveals that four units of ZapA protein form an asymmetric ladder-like structure with FtsZ protofilaments, impacting the alignment of the Z-ring. The interaction between ZapA and FtsZ is dynamic, with cooperative binding and structural alterations, enabling the maintenance of FtsZ mobility.
Researchers developed a novel Cu-Al-Mn alloy with a special shape memory effect at temperatures as low as -200°C, surpassing previous limitations. The alloy's potential applications include high-performance actuators for cooling systems in space telescopes and advanced carbon-neutral initiatives.
The team built a high-resolution 3D structure of the Powassan virus, shedding light on its transmission and potential therapeutics. The findings could inform future treatments and preventions for this emerging tick-borne disease.
Biophysicist Christian Spahn's ERC Advanced Grant project aims to capture the ultra-fast intermediate steps of ribosomes in action. Using a supermicroscope, his team will analyze hundreds of thousands of images to visualize rare, short-lived states of ribosomes at atomic resolution.
Researchers achieved direct measurement of nanometer-scale charge distributions formed at ferroelectric domain interfaces using electron microscopy. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of ferroelectric devices and their performance improvement.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the 3D structure of sulfite reductase, a protein enzyme that breaks down sulfur into hydrogen sulfide. This breakthrough allows scientists to better understand how the enzyme functions and its potential applications in industries such as drug manufacturing.
A new method called MagIC cryo-EM dramatically improves imaging capabilities by reducing sample loss, enabling the visualization of rare proteins and viruses. The technology also addresses the challenge of handling small proteins, allowing for more accurate structural analysis.
Tadashi Isa returns to NIPS as director with goal to foster young researchers and maintain balance between cutting-edge research and collaborative studies. He aims to elevate physiological and neuroscience research in Japan to a world-class level.
Scientists have captured the first detailed molecular movie of DNA being unzipped at the atomic level, revealing how cells copy their genetic material. The discovery has significant implications for understanding viral and cancer replication.
A team of scientists used cryo-electron microscopy to investigate G-quadruplexes, which have gained attention as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. The study reveals how secondary DNA structures like G4s can impede DNA replication and provides new insights into fundamental human biology.
Scientists have uncovered the molecular structure of Mycoplasma mobile's twin motors that power its gliding ability, using cryo-electron microscopy. The complex structure reveals a new mechanism by which energy from ATP hydrolysis is converted into motility.
Researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to determine the atomic structure of collagen assemblies with an unexpected right-handed superhelical twist. This discovery could reshape biomedical research by revealing greater structural diversity in collagen.
ApoB100 protein structure revealed for the first time, allowing for more precise testing and treatment of high cholesterol and heart disease. The discovery may lead to new drugs targeting LDL particles, reducing side effects of statin drugs.
The Department of Energy's new research centers, led by SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, aim to make microelectronics more energy efficient and operate in extreme environments. Researchers will focus on innovating material design, devices, and systems architectures to push computing and sensing capabilities.
Researchers use cryo-electron microscopy to study Microprocessor's interactions with primary microRNAs. The protein can process multiple pri-miRNAs due to its flexibility and 'tentacle-like' properties.
Scientists have captured 3D snapshots of individual RNA nanoparticles in motion, showcasing the dynamic and intricate folding process. This breakthrough uses advanced electron microscopy to study RNA's flexibility, enabling new insights into its structure and potential applications in molecular medicine.