How hydrophobicity shapes protein assemblies
Through a nuanced balance of electrical and hydrophobic forces, biological molecules self-assemble into the large functional structures that maintain life's vital functions. Understanding how proteins self-assemble requires knowledge of both forces......»»
Picky proteins: Understanding yeast adaptor protein selectivity
The cellular membrane controls the passage of substances in and out of the cell. Some larger cargo, such as membrane proteins, nutrients, and pathogens, enter the cell via a process known as clathrin-mediated endocytosis......»»
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.....»»
A new vertical seed distribution trait for soybean breeding
As the human population increases and protein demand doubles, modern plant breeders must further optimize soybean plant architecture and per plant yield for modern farming systems......»»
Seaweed proteins could be the next sustainable food source
The protein in sea lettuce, a type of seaweed, is a promising complement to both meat and other current alternative protein sources. Seaweed also contains many other important nutrients, and is grown without needing to be watered, fertilized or spray.....»»
3D leaf edge reconstruction method enhances plant morphology analysis
Leaves, essential for photosynthesis and other physiological functions, exhibit diverse shapes that help plants adapt to their environments. Traditional methods for measuring leaf morphology have relied heavily on 2D imaging, which fails to capture t.....»»
Chiral molecular self-assemblies that absorb light boost singlet fission process, research demonstrates
In organic molecules, an exciton is a particle bound pair of an electron (negative charge) and its hole (positive charge). They are held together by Coulombic attraction and can move within molecular assemblies. Singlet fission (SF) is a process wher.....»»
Biotech approach enhances nutritional value of black soldier fly larvae
With the rapid increase in the global population, a "protein crisis" is expected in the near future, where the supply of protein will not be able to meet the rising demand......»»
Mathematical model decodes protein interactions to show how condensates form
Biological cells are incredibly complex mixes of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates. A model developed by two RIKEN researchers helps explain why components of the same type sometimes do and sometimes don't spontaneously come together.....»»
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.....»»
Researchers observe stick-slip phenomenon in carbon nanotube fibers
The shapes of simple polyatomic molecules such as carbon dioxide and methane are characterized by a specific symmetry depending on the manner of linking of the atoms. Nano- to micrometer-sized particles that mimic the shapes of such polyatomic molecu.....»»
Study finds key protein aids nutrient transport within plant cells
Botanists have come to understand the channels and transporters involved in the uptake and transport of nutrients, yet how are they positioned where they need to be?.....»»
Antithrombin study proposes new mechanism of action for the plasma protein"s functional role
Antithrombin, a plasma protein, has been reported to control thrombin activity by directly binding to thrombin, as well as to have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, the actual molecular mechanism of the anti-inflammatory effect of antithrombin wa.....»»
Chromium-62 study helps researchers better understand shapes around islands of inversion
In a recent paper in Nature Physics, an international research collaboration used world-class instrumentation at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) to study the exotic nuclide, or rare isotope, chromium-62......»»
Discovery of critical iron-transport protein in malaria parasites could lead to faster-acting medications
Malaria kills over 600,000 people a year, and as the climate warms, the potential range of the disease is growing. While some drugs can effectively prevent and treat malaria, resistance to those drugs is also on the rise......»»
Engineered bacterial protein offers efficient rare earth metal separation
A newly discovered protein naturally houses an unusual binding site that can differentiate between rare earth elements, and researchers at Penn State have made it even better. Rare earth elements are key components used in everything from modern tech.....»»
40 years later, The Terminator still shapes our view of AI
The film has an outsize influence on the existential danger of AI. October 26, 2024, marks the 40th anniversary of director James Cameron’s science fiction classic, The Terminat.....»»
The preparation makes the poison: How muscarine in mushrooms becomes toxic
Mushrooms exist in a breathtaking variety of shapes, colors and sizes. Especially in autumn, mushroom hunters go into the forests to find the tastiest of them, prepare them in multiple ways and eat them with relish. However, it is well known that the.....»»
New method achieves functional protein delivery into living cells
In cooperation with researchers from the China University of Petroleum, the working group of Dr. Werner Nau, Professor of Chemistry at Constructor University, has demonstrated the effectiveness of a new method of intracellular protein transport......»»
When ribosomes go rogue
Unusual variations in the cellular protein factory can skew development, help cancer spread, and more. But ribosome variety may also play biological roles, scientists say. In the.....»»
An elegant switch regulates production of protein variants during cell division
Our cells contain thousands of proteins that have gone largely undetected and unstudied until recent years: these are variants of known proteins, which cells can make when their protein-building machinery interacts differently with the same stretch o.....»»