A "wise counsel" for synthetic biology
Researchers develop user-friendly software system to optimize biological systems......»»
New structure gives insight into mRNA export and cancers, and how viruses hijack the process to infect their host
The central dogma of biology defines the flow of genetic information: It describes how proteins are made from mRNA templates, which are in turn made from DNA. Exporting the mRNA from inside the nucleus to the site of protein translation in the cytopl.....»»
Scientists discover a new giant virus that infects freshwater algae
Scientists from the Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences found forty new freshwater viruses infecting aquatic microorganisms this year. The first one, which they isolated and described in detail, was named Budvirus after the South Bohemian.....»»
Fish on film: Uncovering the environmental drivers of black spot syndrome
For many researchers in biology and other natural sciences, dissecting specimens may not be desirable, though it is often necessary. This is because dissection means killing the animal a researcher is trying to study—a big issue, especially if the.....»»
Saturday Citations: Cold dark matter takes a hit; a new paradigm for biology; those fracking earthquakes
This week, researchers formulated a new method to calculate the probability of generating intelligent life in the universe. Investigations of a meteorite that originated on Mars revealed that it once interacted with liquid water. And an analysis of f.....»»
Using genetic code expansion to study membrane proteins
Over the years, chemical biology methods have made an important contribution to the study of integral membrane proteins. A key modern approach is genetic code expansion (GCE), which makes it possible to modify proteins directly in living cells to giv.....»»
Q&A: Holobiont biology, a new concept for exploring how microbiome shapes evolution of visible life
Microorganisms—bacteria, viruses and other tiny life forms—may drive biological variation in visible life as much, if not more, than genetic mutations, creating new lineages and even new species of animals and plants, according to Seth Bordenstei.....»»
Young coral use metabolic tricks to resist bleaching, research reveals
Coral larvae reduce their metabolism and increase nitrogen uptake to resist bleaching at high temperatures, according to a study published November 12 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Ariana S. Huffmyer of the University of Washington, US,.....»»
Mitochondrial study offers new insights into how our cells process RNA for energy production
Researchers at the Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet have made a major discovery in how human cells produce energy. Their study, published in The EMBO Journal, reveals the detailed mechanisms of how mitochondria process.....»»
Computational chemistry promises to upset traditional methods of chemical synthesis
The process of discovering and designing new chemicals has always been arduous—Sijia Dong wants to change that. As an assistant professor in the department of chemistry and chemical biology, with affiliations in physics and chemical engineering, Do.....»»
Australian dragon study reveals surprising link between motor systems control and sleep rhythms
Sleep is one of the most mysterious, yet ubiquitous components of our biology. It has been described in all major groups of animals, including worms, jellyfish, insects or cephalopods, and in all vertebrates, from fish to humans. Common characteristi.....»»
Vampire bats" metabolism mirrors that of blood-sucking insects, biologists find
A pair of biologists at the University of Toronto has found that vampire bats are able to burn amino acids as a fuel source similarly to blood-sucking insects. In their study published in the journal Biology Letters, Giulia Rossi and Kenneth Welch co.....»»
Cells have more mini "organs" than once thought—these rogue organelles challenge biology"s fundamentals
Think back to that basic biology class you took in high school. You probably learned about organelles, those little "organs" inside cells that form compartments with individual functions. For example, mitochondria produce energy, lysosomes recycle wa.....»»
Cloud repatriation is gathering momentum – but is it a wise choice?
Cloud repatriation is gathering momentum – but is it a wise choice?.....»»
Rainwater samples reveals it"s literally raining "forever chemicals" in Miami
PFAS are in Miami's rainwater. And it is the latest evidence the synthetic "forever chemicals"—that have raised health concerns for people and wildlife—hitch a ride on the water cycle, using the complex system to circulate over greater distances......»»
Cheaper Vision Pro may be delayed until 2027 or later
It’s probably not fair to say that Apple’s Vision Pro has been a disappointment sales-wise. After all, the device is prohibitively expensive for most consumers. … The post Cheaper Vision Pro may be delayed until 2027 or later appeared first.....»»
Safe, efficient method for synthesizing allenes opens up new possibilities for drug development
A research team jointly led by Professor Sung You Hong and Professor Jan-Uwe Rohde has unveiled a novel method for synthesizing allenes—a series of compounds integral to drug development and synthetic chemistry—without relying on hazardous, highl.....»»
Deep learning enhances accuracy and efficiency in protein structure prediction
In the rapidly advancing field of computational biology, a review explores the transformative role of deep learning techniques in revolutionizing protein structure prediction. The review, published in MedComm—Future Medicine, is led by Dr. Xi Yu an.....»»
Novel polypeptide-based molecules could pave the way for enhanced polymer design
A research study describes a systematic high-throughput design approach for virtual screening and creation of novel polypeptide-based molecules that form regular secondary structures that can be used in biology or materials science research. The stud.....»»
Cracking the code: Researchers unlock a "new synthetic frontier" for quantum dots
The type of semiconductive nanocrystals known as quantum dots are both expanding the forefront of pure science and also hard at work in practical applications including lasers, quantum QLED televisions and displays, solar cells, medical devices, and.....»»
When things get tight: How does the embryo in rapeseed react to mechanical constraints?
In 2021, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for elucidating the biology of mechanosensors. These discoveries revealed how mechanical forces generated by touch influence tissue differentiation and morphogenesis in animals and humans.....»»