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Proteins are complex molecules that are made up of amino acids. They can be found in every cell in the body, and carry out vital processes that keep human beings alive. Mutations in proteins can lead to a multitude of diseases, the most common being cancer.

A Novel Biosensor for Calcium Detection in Fruit Flies, Zebrafish, and Mice

In 2021, the Janelia group leaders reported that they had developed a way to combine Schreiter's engineered protein biosensors and Lavis's bright, fluorescent Janelia Fluor dyes.

23 Sep 2024

A New Method to Correct Misplaced Proteins in Cells

Cells are highly controlled spaces that rely on every protein being in the right place. Many diseases, including cancers and neurodegenerative disorders, are associated with misplaced proteins. In some cancers, for instance, a protein that normally stands watch over DNA replicating in the nucleus is sent far from the DNA it is meant to monitor, allowing cancers to grow.

23 Sep 2024

AI-Driven Insights into Lasso Peptide Biosynthesis

Lasso peptides are natural products made by bacteria. Their unusual lasso shape endows them with remarkable stability, protecting them from extreme conditions. In a new study, published in Nature Chemical Biology, researchers have constructed and tested models for how these peptides are made and demonstrated how this information might be used to advance lasso peptide-based drugs into the clinic.

23 Sep 2024

A New Understanding of the Effects of Fever on Immune Cells

Fever temperatures rev up immune cell metabolism, proliferation and activity, but they also -; in a particular subset of T cells -; cause mitochondrial stress, DNA damage and cell death, Vanderbilt University Medical Center researchers have discovered.

23 Sep 2024

Harnessing the Power of Beneficial Bacteria to Fight Enterobacteriaceae

Antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections often occur in patients with chronic inflammatory intestinal conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, and in patients who have taken antibiotics for a long time. Gram-negative bacteria such as Enterobacteriaceae are a common cause of these infections and have few treatment options. Fecal microbiota transplants have shown promise to curb some of these infections, but their composition varies between batches and they aren't always successful.

23 Sep 2024

Scientists Develop Lab-Grown Muscle Stem Cells for Advanced Regenerative Therapies

Recent findings reveal that induced satellite cells can effectively regenerate muscle tissue, outperforming traditional myoblasts in engraftment and function.

23 Sep 2024

New Method Analyzes Tooth Enamel Proteins to Gain Insights into Human Health History

A new way of looking at tooth enamel could give scientists a path to deeper understanding of the health of human populations, from the ancient to the modern.

20 Sep 2024

Study Finds How Plants Limit Viral Spread to Progeny with RNA Interference

Scientists have learned how plants keep viruses from being passed to their offspring, a finding that could ensure healthier crops.

20 Sep 2024

Antifreeze Fish Shed Light on How New Genes Evolve

From where do novel genes originate? In a recent study, a group of University of Arkansas researchers studying biological sciences set out to address that topic.

20 Sep 2024

The Role of Ancient Viral Sequences in Gene Regulation

For any organism to survive and thrive, its cells must tightly control which genes are activated when, and where.

19 Sep 2024

Research Shows a Causal Role of Histone Modifications in Gene Regulation

For any organism to survive and thrive, its cells must strictly control which genes are active when and where.

19 Sep 2024

Low Extracellular Sodium Concentrations Can Suppress mRNA Expression in Brain Cells

Brain and mental problems can result from chronic hyponatremia, a disorder marked by low blood salt levels.

19 Sep 2024

COI1 Proteins in Maize Show Unexpected Functions for Crop Improvement

Maize (corn) is one of the most important staple crops in the world and has been extensively studied. Yet, many aspects of the genetic mechanisms regulating its growth and development remain unexplored.

19 Sep 2024

Early Detection of Off-Target Binding Could Improve Drug Safety

Integral Molecular, a pioneer in antibody discovery and characterization, has published new findings in the journal mAbs, revealing that up to one-third of antibody-based drugs exhibit nonspecific binding to unintended targets.

18 Sep 2024

Modified Nucleotides Boost saRNA Vaccine Efficacy and Protection Against SARS-CoV-2

Modified nucleotides like m5C in saRNA enhance vaccine efficacy, stability, and reduce inflammation, offering a promising approach for SARS-CoV-2 protection.

18 Sep 2024

One-Third of Antibody Drugs Show Unintended Target Binding

Integral Molecular, a leader in antibody discovery and characterization, has published new research in the journal mAbs, revealing that as many as one-third of antibody-based drugs exhibit nonspecific binding to unintended targets.

18 Sep 2024

Breakthrough Discovery on How TGF-Beta Communicates in Cells

Scientists discover how TGF-Beta, a crucial protein in development and cancer, sends its message even while tethered to the cell membrane.

17 Sep 2024

Using Optogenetic Control to Generate Leader Cells

In processes such as embryonic development, wound healing or cancer invasion, cells are known to move in groups in a coordinated way.

17 Sep 2024

New Insights into How Mutant p53 Promotes Tumor Growth

Research from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) and the National Institute of Science and Technology for Structural Biology and Bioimaging (INBEB) in Brazil has uncovered a critical mechanism by which mutations in the p53 protein-;a key tumor suppressor known as the "guardian of the genome"-;turn other proteins into cancer-promoting agents

17 Sep 2024

PKN Inhibition Reduces Cardiac Fibrosis and Improves Heart Function

The number of people suffering from heart failure is rising quickly as society ages. Heart failure progression is linked to fibrosis, or the overgrowth of fibrotic tissue in the heart.

16 Sep 2024