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......»»
Eggs from men, sperm from women: How stem cell science may change how we reproduce
It may soon be possible to coax human skin cells into becoming functional eggs and sperm using a technique known as "in vitro gametogenesis." This involves the creation (genesis) of eggs and sperm (gametes) outside the human body (in vitro)......»»
A graphical user interface for analysis and design of protein–peptide interactions
Proteins function through interactions with other proteins or peptides, a complex process that is still not fully understood. Current research focuses on how amino acid residues interact in protein-protein or protein-peptide interactions to establish.....»»
Using machine learning to optimize volatile fatty acid production in riboflavin-mediated sludge fermentation
Waste activated sludge (WAS) is the most yielding byproduct in municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs), and its disposal poses secondary pollution that severely threatens the environment. Producing volatile fatty acids (VFAs) from WAS is a prom.....»»
Review: PROTACs targeting epigenetic proteins
The field of epigenetics focuses on alterations in gene function that are inherited without changes in the DNA sequence, including histone modifications, post-translational modifications of amino acids, and covalent modifications of DNA bases. These.....»»
"DNA curtain" technology provides real-time visualization of replication for new scientific insights
A research team, led by Professor Ja Yil Lee in the Department of Biological Sciences at UNIST has made a breakthrough in the field of molecular biology. Their research, published in the journal Nucleic Acids Research, has successfully imaged the rea.....»»
Nature inspires a new wave of biotechnology
Biological molecules called peptides play a key role in many biological activities, including the transport of oxygen and electrons. Peptides consist of short chains of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. They are also the inspiration for n.....»»
New algorithm finds lots of gene-editing enzymes in environmental DNA
Some are related to DNA-cutting enzymes. Others are a complete mystery. Enlarge / The protein structure of CAS, shown with nucleic acids bound. (credit: Bang Wong, Broad Institute) CRISPR—Clustered Regularly Interspace.....»»
Tiny worms are helping scientists better understand fertility
Studying sex from just the male perspective misses half the experience. But much of what we know about the origins of reproductive cells comes from looking at sperm and egg formation separately—or only focusing on sperm......»»
Building blocks for life could have formed near new stars and planets
While life on Earth is relatively new, geologically speaking, the ingredients that combined to form it might be much older than once thought. According to research published in ACS Central Science, the simplest amino acid, carbamic acid, could have f.....»»
Malfunction in spermatogenesis: Researchers uncover contribution of cylicin proteins to male fertility
For successful fertilization, sperm should move forward rapidly and be shaped correctly. The unique structure of the sperm cells forms during spermiogenesis. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research.....»»
The way a sperm tail moves can be explained by mathematics worked out by Alan Turing
Alan Turing might be best know for his work helping to crack Germany's "Enigma" communications code during the second world war. But he also came up with a theory where patterns can form just through chemical compounds spreading out (diffusing) and r.....»»
The role of malate decarboxylate CsNADP-ME2 in mediating the balance of carbon and amino acid metabolism in fruit
Central metabolism produces carbohydrates and amino acids that are tightly correlated to plant growth and thereby crop productivity. Malate is reported to link mitochondrial respiratory metabolism with cytosolic biosynthetic pathways. Although the fu.....»»
Study finds amino acid supplementation prevents negative effects of low-protein diet on pig welfare
Pigs fed a low-protein diet can show more damaging behaviors, but this can be counteracted by supplementation of essential amino acids to their diet. This has been demonstrated in research from Wageningen University & Research. The outcome is importa.....»»
Preventing pollen-mediated gene flow from transgenic camelina using engineered cleistogamy
Camelina sativa (L.) Crantz. is native to Europe and Central Asia, and cultivated as an oilseed crop in Europe, Asia, and North America. It is not only rich in nutrients, such as a high content of unsaturated fatty acids, but it also possesses valuab.....»»
Caribbean island of Dominica creates world"s first marine protected area for endangered sperm whale
The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica is creating the world's first marine protected area for one of earth's largest animals: the endangered sperm whale......»»
Dominica to create world"s first sperm whale reserve
Dominica is set to create the world's first sperm whale reserve, designating a swath of ocean where large ships and commercial fishing are restricted and visitors can swim alongside the gentle marine giants......»»
Study explores limits of DNA structure and function, may expand use of modified DNA in medicine
A team led by Professor Michal Hocek at IOCB Prague has explored the limits of the structure and function of DNA and successfully pushed forward known boundaries. Their latest research has just been published in Nucleic Acids Research......»»
Model suggests that mammalian sperm cells have two modes of swimming
A new mathematical model predicts that mammalian sperm cells have two distinct swimming modes. This prediction opens new questions about potential connections between sperm cells' motor activity and their transitions to hyperactivation phases that ma.....»»
Scientists reveal new mechanism for dynamic regulation of manchette microtubules during sperm development
Researchers led by Meng Wenxiang from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have shown that knocking out of the calmodulin-regulated spectrin-associated protein 1 (CAMSAP 1) gene, which is associated w.....»»
Possible cause of male infertility linked to structural protein
Mature spermatozoa are characterized by a head, midpiece and a long tail for locomotion. Now, researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the Transdisciplinary Research Unit "Life & Health" at the University of Bonn have found that a loss.....»»