Biologists sequence proteins by pulling them through nanopores
A team of chemical biologists at the University of Washington, working with colleagues at Oxford Nanopore Technologies, has developed a protein sequencing process that involves pulling proteins through nanopores in a lipid membrane. Their paper is pu.....»»
Researchers teach artificial intelligence about frustration in protein folding
Scientists have found a new way to predict how proteins change their shape when they function, which is important for understanding how they work in living systems. While recent artificial intelligence (AI) technology has made it possible to predict.....»»
Unveiling the intricate and subtle dance of proteins: Understanding how parasites disarm host defenses
Pathogens hijack host cell functions by expressing or secreting effector proteins, creating environments conducive to their survival and reproduction. These pathogenic microorganisms—including eukaryotic parasites, prokaryotic bacteria, and viruses.....»»
Sea anemone study identifies potentially regenerative stem cells linked to conserved genes
The sea anemone Nematostella vectensis is potentially immortal. Using molecular genetic methods, developmental biologists led by Ulrich Technau from the University of Vienna have now identified possible candidates for multipotent stem cells in the se.....»»
New AI tool captures how proteins behave in context
A fish on land still waves its fins, but the results are markedly different when that fish is in water. Attributed to renowned computer scientist Alan Kay, the analogy is used to illustrate the power of context in illuminating questions under investi.....»»
This Is the Most Detailed Map of Human Brain Connections Ever Made
In a world first, Harvard biologists worked with Google to diagram a cubic millimeter of human cerebral cortex at the subcellular level, paving the way for the next generation of brain science......»»
Turning wastewater into valuable proteins with genetically modified yeast
The growing world population means that the environment is under great strain. Agriculture takes up large land areas and discharges nutrients to the surrounding environment. At the same time, there is tremendous pressure on the aquatic environment fr.....»»
First biogeographic map of ants reveals nine global realms
The distribution of species around the globe is not a random process but an outcome resulting from several evolutionary mechanisms as well as past and current environmental limitations. As a result, since the mid-19th century, biologists have identif.....»»
International team sequence the world"s largest animal genome: Data help explain tetrapod evolution
Join us as we travel back in time. We have arrived in the Devonian period, some 420 to 360 million years ago. In a shallow area near the water's edge, something happened that would forever change life on our planet: a fish from the class of lobe-finn.....»»
Light-responsive gene regulation at the mRNA level
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have established a new optogenetic approach that can control the bacterial production of proteins at the mRNA level using blue light. The new system gates the activation of the genetic substance particularly.....»»
AI, computation, and the folds of life: Supercomputers help train a software tool for the protein modeling community
Form follows function, and this is especially true for life's building blocks—proteins. The folds and shape of molecular proteins reveal their function in supporting life......»»
Opinion: Australian gambling industry is pulling out all the stops to prevent an ad ban, but the evidence is against it
With parliament sitting this week, the federal government is trying to finalize its proposed laws to limit gambling advertising......»»
Rewriting the evolutionary history of critical components of the nervous system
A new study has rewritten the conventionally understood evolutionary history of certain proteins critical for electrical signaling in the nervous system......»»
New technology offers a better look at tardigrade fossils embedded in amber
A trio of evolutionary biologists at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology has learned more about the evolutionary history of tardigrades by studying two fossils embedded in amber. In their study, published in Communications Biology, Mar.....»»
Researchers identify body"s "quality control" regulator for protein folding, could lead to targeted treatments
Anyone who's tried to neatly gather a fitted sheet can tell you: folding is hard. Get it wrong with your laundry and the result can be a crumpled, wrinkled mess of fabric, but when folding fails among the approximately 7,000 proteins with an origami-.....»»
Developing a simple, cost-effective method to identify the targets of a crucial protein-modifying enzyme
Human proteins undergo a variety of chemical modifications following their synthesis. These modifications regulate their structure, function, and stability. Researchers from the Bhogaraju Group at EMBL Grenoble have developed a new method to study a.....»»
Tom Cruise pulls epic stunt at the Olympics closing ceremony
Tom Cruise passed the Olympic flag from Paris to Los Angeles on Sunday night, and of course it involved an epic stunt and a movie-like action sequence......»»
Researchers develop AI model that predicts the accuracy of protein–DNA binding
A new artificial intelligence model developed by USC researchers and published in Nature Methods can predict how different proteins may bind to DNA with accuracy across different types of protein, a technological advance that promises to reduce the t.....»»
Microscopy technique "paves way" for improving understanding of cellular functions
Scientists have developed a new way of counting labeled proteins in living cells that could become a standard and valuable tool in the field of biomedical research......»»
Study reveals how plants decide between life and death
Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered two proteins that work together to determine the fate of cells in plants facing certain stresses......»»
How ribosomes in our cells enable protein folding
Scientists at UCL have discovered a novel role played by ribosomes during the folding of new proteins in cells, described in their paper in Nature......»»