Modifications to amino acids in sperm could be behind infertility
Sperm play a critical role in the creation of new life, delivering essentially half of the genetic material required......»»
Researcher proposes paradigm shift in enzyme biochemistry
Although you may never have heard of the cytochrome P450 superfamily of enzymes, these proteins play diverse and critical roles in humans through the metabolic processing of drugs, pesticides, fatty acids, fat-soluble vitamins, and chemical carcinoge.....»»
Cosmic dust could have helped get life going on Earth
Life on our planet appeared early in Earth's history. Surprisingly early, since in its early youth our planet didn't have much of the chemical ingredients necessary for life to evolve. Since prebiotic chemicals such as sugars and amino acids are know.....»»
Researchers reveal how cells regenerate protein factories at the endoplasmic reticulum
The synthesis of proteins in the cell is a key process of life. By this means, the genetic code of the genome is translated into the amino acid sequence of proteins. The process is complex—and has been studied in detail for decades......»»
Application of ultrasound found to greatly speed up motility of human sperm
A team of engineers at Monash University in Australia has found that exposing human sperm to ultrasound can cause them to swim faster. In their study, published in the journal Science Advances, the group exposed human semen samples to ultrasonic wave.....»»
Researchers use supercomputer to determine whether "molecules of life" can be formed naturally in right conditions
Basic biology textbooks will tell you that all life on Earth is built from four types of molecules: proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. And each group is vital for every living organism......»»
Scientists successfully simulate protein complex that initiates fertilization
Researchers at ETH Zurich recently developed highly realistic simulations of the proteins on sperm and egg cells coupling together before they fuse. These findings enabled the research team to solve several mysteries of fertilization at once, which c.....»»
Cosmic building blocks of life discovered through the electron microscope
A team of researchers has examined the Winchcombe meteorite and demonstrated the existence in it of nitrogen compounds such as amino acids and heterocyclic hydrocarbons—without applying any chemical treatment and by using a new type of detector des.....»»
Scientists identify potential new method for diagnosing male infertility
Researchers have discovered a new phenomenon where sperm from mice can induce non-reproductive cells from hamsters to fuse and form a syncytia—a cell with multiple nuclei......»»
New method for incorporating structurally unusual amino acids into proteins
A team of biochemists at the Medical Research Council Laboratory of Molecular Biology at Cambridge has developed a new method to incorporate structurally unusual amino acids into proteins by using bacteria. The method is described in the journal Natu.....»»
Immune cells drive sex reversal in zebrafish, a discovery that could improve treatments for female infertility
Mutations that disrupt development of germ cells cause infertility or birth defects. Mutations that cause female infertility in humans, such as mutations in the gene BMP15, also cause infertility in zebrafish. However, female zebrafish can undergo a.....»»
Scientists solve long-standing block copolymer research conundrum through polymer chain end modifications
Plumber's nightmare structure presents itself as an assemblage where all exits seem to converge inward—a plumber's nightmare but an anticipated uniqueness for researchers, suggesting distinctive traits divergent from traditional materials. Nonethel.....»»
Study shows RNAs do work outside of cells to guide the immune system
Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) are the ultimate cellular insiders. They perform several critical jobs, such as ferrying genetic instructions from a living organism's DNA to its protein-making machinery (a process key to cellular processes) and controlling.....»»
New technique provides insight into how proteins involved in cellular processes communicate via extracellular vesicles
One way that cells communicate with one another is through the secretion and uptake of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs convey a multitude of cargoes, including proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. Their uptake affects the function of recipient cells.....»»
Nanopores and deep learning aid in disease diagnostics
EPFL scientists have unveiled a method using biological nanopores and deep learning to detect protein modifications, offering new avenues in disease diagnostics......»»
Missing gene in mouse sperm could explain infertility
Mice lacking a certain gene are unable to produce offspring because their sperm lack the connection between the tail and the head. A new thesis from the University of Gothenburg indicates a probable cause of male infertility......»»
A Gel Injected Into the Scrotum Could Be the Next Male Contraceptive
Biotech company Contraline has safely implanted a sperm-blocking hydrogel in 23 men. It’s designed to be a fully reversible vasectomy......»»
Research team reports observing vibrational spectra of a single protein with infrared nanospectroscopy
An interdisciplinary research team, led by Assistant Prof. Jun Nishida and Associate Prof. Takashi Kumagai at the Institute for Molecular Science, has successfully observed vibrational spectra of single proteins, consisting of approximately 500 amino.....»»
Sperm whales found to live in large, matrilineally based clans
A sperm whale expert at Dalhousie University, in Canada, has found evidence showing that sperm whales form large matrilineally based clans that have their own coda dialect. In his paper published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, Hal Whitehe.....»»
Creating novel amino acid nanoparticles with enhanced anticancer activity
Amino acids, such as tyrosine and tryptophan, are the fundamental building blocks that make up proteins. These biomolecules have different chemical groups on each end and side chain, and so, have the natural ability to form a chain through the format.....»»
Unlocking the secrets of strawberry aroma: The crucial role of FanCXE1 carboxylesterase in ester metabolism and ripening
Strawberries owe their distinctive flavor to a complex mixture of sugars, acids, and over 900 volatile compounds, primarily esters, which are produced and degraded by alcohol acyltransferases (AATs) and carboxylesterases (CXEs), respectively......»»