Biochemists uncover a new enzyme subclass in antimicrobial lanthipeptide biosynthesis
Biochemists from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have discovered a new subclass of trifunctional enzymes in gram-positive bacteria, which play a critical role in the biosynthesis of an antimicrobial lanthipeptide......»»
Researchers advance understanding of a key celiac enzyme
Celiac disease affects around one in a hundred people worldwide, and those that have the autoimmune disorder have no choice but to stick to a gluten-free diet forever—at the moment, doctors have no other way to treat the illness......»»
Scientists uncover fundamental rules for how dengue virus infects its mosquito and human hosts
Mosquito-borne viral infections once confined to tropical regions are spreading. Dengue virus infects up to 400 million people worldwide each year according to World Health Organization estimates, and no available treatments exist for this disease......»»
Enhanced information in national policies can accelerate Africa"s efforts to track climate adaptation
New analysis of African national adaptation policy documents finds that most fail to provide comprehensive and consistent information. But the authors also uncover compelling examples of robust plans that hold lessons for upcoming climate talks......»»
Discovery of a tRNA modification enzyme that also acts on nucleosides
The genetic information on DNA is transcribed into messenger RNA (mRNA) and translated to the amino acid sequence by transfer RNA (tRNA) on the ribosome. Modified nucleosides within RNA are involved in maintaining and regulating the protein synthesis.....»»
Scientists uncover the molecular mechanism behind pineapple peel coloration
Pineapple peel coloration, especially the red hue, significantly enhances its commercial and aesthetic value. However, the genetic mechanisms driving this trait are not well understood, complicating breeding efforts for red-skinned varieties......»»
Scientists replicate enzyme that captures carbon
Scientists from King's College London have recreated the active site of Acetyl-CoA Synthase, an enzyme involved in capturing carbon from the atmosphere. The research, carried out in collaboration with Imperial College London, advances our understandi.....»»
Enzyme-powered "snot bots" help deliver drugs in sticky situations
Snot might not be the first place you'd expect nanobots to be swimming around. But this slimy secretion exists in more places than just your nose and piles of dirty tissues—it also lines and helps protect the lungs, stomach, intestines and eyes. An.....»»
Scientists develop dual-functional, high-efficiency antimicrobial nanozyme
A research team led by Prof. Gao Lizeng from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences proposed a bactericidal mechanism based on nanozymes that simulate antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and antimicrobial enzymes (AMEs) according to.....»»
Astronomers detect dozens of new pulsating white dwarfs
Using NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), astronomers have detected 32 new bright pulsating DA white dwarfs of the ZZ Ceti subclass. The finding was reported in a research paper published July 9 on the pre-print server arXiv......»»
Harnessing big data helps scientists hone in on new antimicrobials
Researchers have developed a strategy to identify new antimicrobial drugs with therapeutic promise from bacterial datasets, providing clues for discovering alternatives to traditional antibiotics......»»
Protecting one of the world"s most threatened marine animals
Researchers from Murdoch University's Harry Butler Institute have employed the latest genetic techniques to uncover critical breeding and reproductive knowledge about one of the world's most threatened marine animals—the sawfish......»»
E. coli variant may cause antimicrobial resistance in dogs, humans
Researchers studying antimicrobial-resistant E. coli—the leading cause of human death due to antimicrobial resistance worldwide—have identified a mechanism in dogs that may render multiple antibiotic classes ineffective......»»
A comprehensive derivative synthesis method for development of new antimicrobial drugs
Efforts to combat the increasing threat of drug-resistant bacteria are being assisted by a new approach for streamlining the search for antimicrobial drug candidates, pioneered by researchers at Hokkaido University, led by Assistant Professor Kazuki.....»»
Research team models connection between enzyme activity and yields for the first time
A team from the University of Illinois has developed a modeling framework connecting enzyme activity related to photosynthesis to yield. This is the first time a model has tied the dynamic photosynthetic pathways directly to crop growth......»»
Phage-derived enzyme targets E. faecalis biofilms to mitigate acute graft-versus-host disease
Allogenic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) involves transferring healthy donor stem cells to recipients with conditions such as blood cancer, bone marrow failure, or certain genetic blood disorders. Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD.....»»
Newly identified enzyme helps pathogenic fungus build protective cell wall
Researchers at the School of Medicine have identified a novel enzyme involved in building the cell wall of Cryptococcus neoformans, a fungus that causes lung infections and potentially deadly cases of meningitis, primarily in people with AIDS. About.....»»
Researchers engineer poplar trees to synthesize valuable chemical squalene, normally harvested from shark livers
What do poplar trees, sharks and biofuels have in common? While it might sound a bit like a riddle, a team led by Michigan State University biochemists has reported exciting findings concerning all three in the quest for cleaner energy......»»
Phage display technology effectively improves specific targeting ability of anti-microbial peptides against S. aureus
Antibiotics are widely used in clinical treatment and animal production as an effective means to combat microbial infections. Antimicrobial peptides, as potential alternatives to antibiotics, have shown promising applications. However, owing to their.....»»
New study augments distribution and reproduction data for little-known female Oceania fantail rays
Among the cartilaginous fish of the class Chondrichthyes, batoid rays—along with sharks, skates and sawfish—belong to the subclass known as Elasmobranchii. To date, limited literature exists on the reproductive practices of batoid rays, including.....»»
Scientists uncover conserved mechanism of pericentric heterochromatin initiation in vertebrates
A study published in Nature on July 4 by Prof. Zhu Bing from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has shed light on the conserved mechanism responsible for the initiation of pericentric heterochromatin in vertebrates......»»