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Research reveals how RNA elements control cleavage activity of DICER enzyme in pre-miRNA and shRNAs

A research team led by scientists from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology has revealed how secondary structure RNA elements control the cleavage activity of the DICER enzyme in both pre-miRNA and short-hairpin RNAs, improving the understanding of the DICER cleavage mechanism and providing a foundation for the design of accurate and efficient short-hairpin RNAs for gene-silencing.

20 Apr 2022

Researchers uncover a treasure trove of new data about RNA viruses

Ocean water samples collected around the world have yielded a treasure trove of new data about RNA viruses, expanding ecological research possibilities and reshaping our understanding of how these small but significant submicroscopic particles evolved.

8 Apr 2022

Study reveals how plants activate their immune system to prevent infections caused by rain

While rain is essential for the survival of plants, it also contains bacteria and other pathogens which can cause them harm. So how do plants protect themselves from this threat?

7 Apr 2022

Researchers discover how an “accordion effect” is vital for switching off genes

In a study that changes the fundamentals of what researchers know about gene silencing, WEHI researchers demonstrated how an “accordion effect” is key to switching off genes.

From Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research (WEHI) 7 Apr 2022

Researchers employ CRISPR gene-editing technology in human blood to cure HIV

Northwestern Medicine researchers are employing recent developments in CRISPR gene-editing technology to discover novel biological method that could lead to longer-lasting treatments and new therapeutic tactics for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).

5 Apr 2022

Tuberculosis causes early epigenetic aging in cells, study finds

In the current study, scientists at Baylor College of Medicine identified that the cells of humans and animals that recovered from tuberculosis had prematurely aged up to 12 to 14 years.

25 Mar 2022

Researchers analyze a powerful tool to enhance drug discovery

Hormones or chemical messengers link to cell membrane receptors to tweak how the cell responds, creating a metaphorical interaction and traffic network on the surface of cell membranes inside human body.

23 Mar 2022

Study shows how immune systems tune antibodies to fight against infection

University of Alberta researchers have discovered new knowledge on a cellular process in the immune system.

21 Mar 2022

Novel method to sneak large drug-carrying biological molecules into cells

Scientists from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a novel method of delivering drugs into human cells using large biological molecules, by first encasing them in a protein-based microdroplet.

From Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU Singapore) 17 Mar 2022

Immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus likely to protect against omicron

People who developed immunity to SARS-CoV-2, either by vaccination or contact, are expected to get some protection against the pathogen’s omicron version.

16 Mar 2022

Improving the long-term effectiveness of TB vaccine in mice

Briefly blocking a key molecule when administering the only approved vaccine for tuberculosis vastly improves long-term protection against the devastating disease in mice, researchers from Texas Biomedical Research Institute report this week in the Journal of Immunology.

14 Mar 2022

Researchers analyze how natural killer cells respond to COVID-19

Little is understood until today on how the immune system’s natural killer (NK) cells identify which cells are infected with SARS-CoV-2.

24 Feb 2022

TGen collaborates with Deepcell to employ AI for analyzing single cell morphology

The Translational Genomics Research Institute, an affiliate of City of Hope, is partnering with a Silicon Valley firm to become one of the first research institutes in the world to employ a new Artificial Intelligence-powered imaging and sorting technology to classify and isolate individual diseased cells.

23 Feb 2022

Researchers study the impact of broad-spectrum antibiotics on the infants’ microbiome

A recent study proves that antibiotic use in the first week of birth is associated with a reduction in the number of healthy bacteria required to digest milk.

22 Feb 2022

Study findings open new avenues for research into host-directed therapies for TB

A*STAR’s GIS and ID Labs have discovered KCNJ15, a gene linked to the human immune system’s ability to combat TB and maybe other infectious diseases.

18 Feb 2022

CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing is now feasible in ticks

Researchers have successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to edit the genomes of the black-legged tick. To accomplish this feat, they developed an embryo injection protocol that overcame a major barrier in the field.

17 Feb 2022

One-time infusion of stem cells from bone marrow improves sepsis survival in mice

A one-time infusion of stem cells from bone marrow improves the survival of mice with sepsis, shows a study published today in eLife.

16 Feb 2022

Experts explore the relationships between diet, gut bacteria, and metabolites

Researchers currently understand that the microorganisms that dwell in human intestines—the microbiome—have a wide range of effects on human health.

14 Feb 2022

A simple route for synthesizing fungal compound and its derivatives

The solutions to many of humanity's problems can be found within nature. For instance, who could have guessed that an antibiotic as powerful as penicillin would be found in a common mold, or that the drug aspirin would be derived from the bark of the willow tree?

From Tokyo University of Science 10 Feb 2022

San Antonio researchers report a new mechanistic target for leukemia drug development

Scientists at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio believe it may be possible to prevent DNA changes driven by two proteins highly active in leukemia and other cancers.

7 Feb 2022