Molecular & Structural Biology

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Molecular network underlies the structures of critical cellular compartments

Networks are at the heart of everything from communications systems to pandemics. Now researchers have found that a unique type of network also underlies the structures of critical cellular compartments known as membraneless organelles.

16 Apr 2020

UTSW researchers solve structure of key protein involved in muscle contraction

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have uncovered the detailed shape of a key protein involved in muscle contraction.

16 Apr 2020

3D simulations will show how coronavirus spike protein binds to human cell receptors

Computational chemist Mahmoud Moradi will develop enhanced, 3D simulations of the molecular dynamics of coronavirus spike glycoproteins to gain better understanding of how the virus binds to human cells.

16 Apr 2020

Study shows how vulnerable cells armor themselves against infection

Cells in some of the body's most vulnerable entry routes to bacterial infection buffer themselves when the immune system detects danger by reorganizing the cholesterol on their surfaces, a new study led by UTSW scientists suggests.

16 Apr 2020

New study on transposable elements could help advance understanding of genetic evolution

There has been very little knowledge of ways in which transposable elements play a role in gene regulation. Transposable elements are small DNA pieces with the ability to replicate and scatter themselves in the genome.

16 Apr 2020

Why do artificial sweeteners fail to satisfy sugar cravings?

A small quantity of extra sugar would be enough to make people crave for almost everything, from coffee covered in whipped cream to condiments and cookies.

16 Apr 2020

New method can improve access to sophisticated microscopy data

Researchers from the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute (LSI) have created a novel data-processing method that offers a simpler yet faster way to data produced by cryo-electron microscopy (Cryo-EM) instruments, thus making it possible to adopt this robust method at a wider scale.

16 Apr 2020

New algorithm predicts the evolution of genetic mutations in species

David McCandlish and Juannan Zhou, both quantitative biologists at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, have designed a new algorithm that has predictive power, providing researchers the ability to observe the way particular genetic mutations combine to make crucial proteins change over the duration of a species’ evolution.

16 Apr 2020

Molecular causes of brain asymmetry revealed

Scientists may have solved one of the most puzzling and persistent mysteries in neuroscience: why some people are "right-brained" while others are "left-brained."

15 Apr 2020

Scientists determine first 3D structure of COVID-19 main protease

A team of Chinese scientists has reported the high-resolution crystal structure of the main protease (Mpro) of the COVID-19 virus and has identified drugs that may hold promise in combating the virus.

15 Apr 2020

How human cells recognize undesirable guests

Until now, the immune sensor TLR8 has remained in the shadows of science. A research team led by the University of Bonn has now discovered how this sensor plays an important role in defending human cells against intruders.

15 Apr 2020

Clock protein moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots, roots

Five years ago, researchers from the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics led by the CSIC Research Professor Paloma Mas made the breakthrough discovery that the circadian clocks in the growing tip of the plant shoot function in a similar way to the clocks in the mammalian brain, which in both cases are able to synchronize the daily rhythms of the cells in distal organs.

14 Apr 2020

Metals can affect the formation of harmful misfolded peptide clusters in various diseases

Revealing the interactions between metal ions and peptides in the body could help develop enhanced treatments for Alzheimer’s diabetes, and other diseases.

14 Apr 2020

Role of VRAC ion channel in fight against virus infections

VRAC/LRRC8 chloride channels play a crucial role in the transport of neurotransmitters, amino acids, and cytostatics.

14 Apr 2020

Largest proteomic study reveals link between glucose metabolism proteins and AD biology

In the largest study to date of proteins related to Alzheimer's disease, a team of researchers has identified disease-specific proteins and biological processes that could be developed into both new treatment targets and fluid biomarkers.

13 Apr 2020

Combined effect of rare mutations has negative impact on health and longevity

In a study published recently in the eLife journal, researchers have reported that the combined effects of rare and damaging mutations that occur at birth itself have adverse effects on health span and longevity.

13 Apr 2020

A commonly expressed protein in skin can 'turn on' allergic itch

A commonly expressed protein in skin - periostin - can directly activate itch-associated neurons in the skin, according to new research from North Carolina State University.

9 Apr 2020

Study on butterfly breeding sheds light on the evolution of iridescent colors

At her Florida-based butterfly farm, Edith Smith bred a shinier and bluer Common Buckeye but it was Rachel Thayer, a graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) who described the genetic and physical variations that are fundamental to the newly acquired iridescence of the butterfly.

9 Apr 2020

Protein interaction study could shed light on the mechanism behind various diseases

The human body is made of billions of cells, and each cell is formed and maintained through innumerable interactions of its molecular parts.

9 Apr 2020

Enhancing DNA repair could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops

A new genome editing system enhances the efficiency of an error-free DNA repair pathway, which could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops.

8 Apr 2020

Molecular & Structural Biology

Molecular network underlies the structures of critical cellular compartments

UTSW researchers solve structure of key protein involved in muscle contraction

3D simulations will show how coronavirus spike protein binds to human cell receptors

Study shows how vulnerable cells armor themselves against infection

New study on transposable elements could help advance understanding of genetic evolution

Why do artificial sweeteners fail to satisfy sugar cravings?

New method can improve access to sophisticated microscopy data

New algorithm predicts the evolution of genetic mutations in species

Molecular causes of brain asymmetry revealed

Scientists determine first 3D structure of COVID-19 main protease

How human cells recognize undesirable guests

Clock protein moves in sync with temperature to coordinate rhythms in shoots, roots

Metals can affect the formation of harmful misfolded peptide clusters in various diseases

Role of VRAC ion channel in fight against virus infections

Largest proteomic study reveals link between glucose metabolism proteins and AD biology

Combined effect of rare mutations has negative impact on health and longevity

A commonly expressed protein in skin can 'turn on' allergic itch

Study on butterfly breeding sheds light on the evolution of iridescent colors

Protein interaction study could shed light on the mechanism behind various diseases

Enhancing DNA repair could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops

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