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Structural Insights Into Coronavirus Spike Proteins

Coronaviruses employ protein “spikes” to latch onto and infect cells. Contrary to their name, these spikes do not have a rigid and pointed structure. Instead, they resemble chicken drumsticks, with the meaty portion facing outward.

27 Nov 2023

Early Life Host Control Shapes Sea Anemone Microbiome Composition

The microbiome, denoting the harmonious assembly of microorganisms within a host, is essential for the optimal operation of plants and animals, including humans.

21 Nov 2023

Gene Splicing Affects CD20 Expression and Response to Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapies that target the CD20 antigen have revolutionized how patients with a variety of blood cancers and hematologic disorders have been treated.

17 Nov 2023

More Genes Changed By Early Life Stress Than Head Injury

Researchers recently discovered a phenomenon as they delved into the investigation of whether early-life stress exacerbates the impact of a childhood head injury on health and behavior in later years.

16 Nov 2023

Circular Extrachromosomal DNA Linked to Medulloblastoma Relapse and Death

A study of newly created databases of medulloblastoma has found that patients with tumors containing circular extrachromosomal DNA-;loops of DNA found outside of regular chromosomes-;are twice as likely to relapse and three times as likely to die within five years of diagnosis.

15 Nov 2023

Fetal Kidney Atlas Sheds Light on Disease Origins and Kidney Health

Scientists have examined the gene expression patterns of single cells from 5 human fetal kidneys to create the most complete atlas of the fetal kidney to date.

6 Nov 2023

Prime Editing and Base Editing Could Revolutionize Treatment for Phenylketonuria

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a rare newborn genetic disease that impacts between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 20,000 people, depending on the individuals' genetic ancestry. PKU causes an amino acid-;called phenylalanine (Phe)-;to build up in the bloodstream.

3 Nov 2023

Unlocking the Secrets of Memory: Key Protein Regulates Hippocampal Plasticity

Mount Sinai researchers have shed valuable light on the mechanism of a key protein that regulates the plasticity and function of the hippocampus, a key brain region involved in memory and learning, and that decreases with age in mice.

3 Nov 2023

Scientists Unlock the Structure of Vesicular Monoamine Transporter 2

Neurons talk to each other using chemical signals called neurotransmitters. Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have drawn on structural biology expertise to determine structures of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2), a key component of neuronal communication.

2 Nov 2023

Unraveling the Impact of Genetic Mutations on Future Generations

Regarding the structure of the human genome, it is only a matter of time until detrimental genes, which have the potential to jeopardize future generations, emerge within a population.

26 Oct 2023

Study Uncovers Genes in Gut Microbe That Play Key Role in Early Colonization After Fecal Microbe Transplant

Fecal microbe transplants from healthy donors can treat patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile infections. However, after tens of thousands transplants,

16 Oct 2023

Fruit Fly Model Provides Insights into Pathogenesis of New Genetic Disorder

Research conducted in the laboratory of Dr Hugo J. Bellen, a Distinguished Service Professor at Baylor College of Medicine and a principal investigator at the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital, has identified a novel disorder linked to gain-of-function variants in the DOT1L gene.

16 Oct 2023

Effectiveness of SCID-X1 Gene Therapy Influenced by 3D Genome Architecture

Patients with X-linked severe combined immunodeficiency disorder (SCID-X1), often known as “bubble boy disease,” are born with a faulty gene that inhibits immune cells from being produced.

9 Oct 2023

Study Links Autism Gene to Broad Spectrum of Molecular and Cellular Defects

Researchers have used CRISPR gene editing, stem cells and human neurons to study the impact of a gene that is commonly mutated in autism.

6 Oct 2023

The Strong Link Between Genes and Vegetarianism

Going meatless is undoubtedly fashionable, as seen by Impossible Burger and “Meatless Mondays.”

5 Oct 2023

New Insights into the Role of Intrinsically Disordered Regions in Chromatin Biology

According to textbooks, proteins work by folding into stable 3D shapes that, like Lego blocks, precisely fit with other biomolecules.

3 Oct 2023

Sushi, A Fresh Feast or Hidden Health Hazard?

New research suggests that while sushi is generally safe to eat, some bacteria colonies in certain sushi could put those with weak immune systems at risk.

28 Sep 2023

Slowing down Alzheimer’s with Specialized T Cells

Alzheimer’s disease, a neurological disorder characterized by gradual cognitive decline, including memory loss, affects up to 5.8 million Americans today. Protein aggregates made up of beta-amyloid or other proteins occur in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. These beta-amyloid plaques appear to be a major cause of the disease.

8 Sep 2023

Processed Foods May Lead to Obesity by Diluting Protein

Humans, like so many other species, control protein intake more strictly than any other dietary component, so if protein intake is reduced, food intake increases to make up for it.

4 Sep 2023

The Pathogenic Mechanism Underpinning MEPAN Syndrome

New research published in Nature Metabolism discovered the pathogenic mechanism driving mitochondrial enoyl reductase protein-associated neurodegeneration (MEPAN) syndrome, a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disease.

1 Sep 2023