All wound up: A reversible molecular whirligig
Over the last few decades, researchers have built minuscule molecular machines that rotate or shuttle other molecules. However, it's difficult to determine the mechanical work and forces that these tiny contraptions produce, which is important when u.....»»
New infection mechanism in SARS-CoV-2 discovered
Researchers from Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center investigate molecular relationships that promote infection and spread of SARS-CoV-2. The results may provide a starting point for developmen.....»»
Team fabricates chitin hydrogel via chemical transformation of chitosan
Chitin hydrogel is recognized as a promising material for a variety of biomedical applications. Its biocompatibility and biodegradability make it useful in tissue repair, artificial organs, and wound healing. Yet scientists continue to face challenge.....»»
Formamide: A versatile small molecular building block for synthesizing heavily N-doped 1D and 2D carbon
Low-dimensional carbon materials (LDCs), including graphene and carbon nanotubes, have attracted considerable attention due to their unique morphologies and intriguing electrical properties. However, these materials are typically less functionalized.....»»
Study discovers novel region for BRD4 transcription and potential therapeutic target
A team of investigators in the laboratory of Ali Shilatifard, Ph.D., the Robert Francis Furchgott Professor and chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, have discovered a novel protein region responsible for regulating DNA transcription elongati.....»»
Biologists publish new guidelines to facilitate data sharing of research on disordered proteins
For decades, structural biologists have been working on cracking the molecular 3D structures of proteins to understand their function. But what if a protein doesn't have a fixed structure? For molecules that keep changing their shape all the time, bo.....»»
Investigating interactions at molecular junctions for novel electronic devices
The structure of a molecular junction with noncovalent interaction plays a key role in electron transport, reveals a recent study conducted by researchers at Tokyo Tech. Through simultaneous surface-enhanced Raman scattering and current–voltage mea.....»»
Molecular scissors caught in the act: Describing the function of tRNA splicing endonuclease TSEN based on its structure
In all living organisms, the biomolecule transfer RNA (tRNA) plays a fundamental role in protein production. tRNAs are generated from precursor molecules in several steps. The enzyme tRNA splicing endonuclease (TSEN), among other things, catalyzes on.....»»
The structure of a protein bound to DNA reveals how the toxicity of the cholera bacterium is activated
Understanding the molecular mechanism that triggers disease is essential for identifying new treatments. Cholera, a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, is no exception......»»
Natural history collections shed light on bumblebees" modern struggles
A new study highlights potential causes for changing foraging habits of bumblebees. Using advanced molecular techniques called pollen metabarcoding, researchers investigated interactions between bumblebees and plants in Cuxhaven, Germany, and how the.....»»
Researchers investigate floral development of two legume plants
The legume family (Fabaceae) is one of the largest groups of flowering plants. The Fabaceae are further divided into six subfamilies based on morphological and molecular data. Despite its diversity in floral architecture and morphology, the subfamily.....»»
Scientists reveal molecular interaction of carbon/nitrogen metabolism in rice
Carbon and nitrogen are the two most abundant nutrients for all living organisms. The metabolism of carbon and nitrogen is tightly coupled and coordinated by different metabolites and signaling pathways. What are the molecular mechanisms that sense a.....»»
Light-activated molecular machines get cells "talking"
One of the main ways cells "talk" to each other to coordinate essential biological activities such as muscle contraction, hormone release, neuronal firing, digestion and immune activation is through calcium signaling......»»
Biologists identify mechanical waves involved in limb regeneration in zebrafish
A team of molecular and cellular biologists from several institutions in Taiwan and one in the Philippines has identified some of the mechanical waves involved in the regeneration of amputated tailfins in zebrafish. In their study, reported in the jo.....»»
Discovery of 100 fatty acids opens new research paths
Fatty acids are the molecular building blocks that form the lipids essential for life. While some lipids form cell membranes, others are present naturally as triglycerides in body fat and the waxes on our hair and skin......»»
Researchers decode the structure of a crucial neural transport protein
Using Cryo-EM, a powerful microscopy technique, researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and collaborators have decoded the molecular architecture of a transporter protein controlling the movement of a key neurotransmitter. Their work is.....»»
Experiments provide insights into the molecular mechanism for memory and learning
Researchers at Kanazawa University report in Science Advances high-speed atomic force microscopy experiments that show the structural and chemical changes in an enzyme thought to play a vital role in modulating the strength of neural connections......»»
This AI system only needs a small amount of data to predict molecular properties
Discovering new materials and drugs typically involves a manual, trial-and-error process that can take decades and cost millions of dollars. To streamline this process, scientists often use machine learning to predict molecular properties and narrow.....»»
Medical, but hold the marijuana: new CBD source found in Brazil
In a laboratory tucked away on a sprawling university campus in Rio de Janeiro, Brazilian molecular biologist Rodrigo Moura Neto is running tests on a seemingly ordinary plant with a potent secret......»»
Everything in balance? How a molecular switch controls lipid metabolism
Our body's fat metabolism plays a vital role in energy production in our body. A research team at the University of Basel, Switzerland, has discovered a molecular switch that regulates lipid metabolism in our cells. This switch controls the storage o.....»»
A divergent strategy enables molecular diversity: Synthesis of nine complex natural compounds
A research group led by chemist Thomas Magauer has accomplished a divergent strategy to synthesize nine complex natural compounds. The developed method requires significantly less time and results in a variety of compounds with different structures a.....»»