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......»»
Nematode proteins shed light on infertility
In a new study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, University of Utah (the U) biologists have developed a method for illuminating the intricate interactions of the synaptonemal complex in the nematode C. elegans......»»
Novel approach uses ionic liquids for diverse aptamer applications
Aptamers, nucleic acids capable of selectively binding to viruses, proteins, ions, small molecules, and various other targets, are garnering attention in drug development as potential antibody substitutes for their thermal and chemical stability as w.....»»
Juvenile sperm whale euthanized after stranding on North Carolina beach
A juvenile sperm whale that appeared to be in poor health was euthanized Wednesday after stranding on a North Carolina beach......»»
Big impacts from small changes: Research reveals how filament interactions affect cellular networks
Tiny things matter—for instance, one amino acid can completely alter the architecture of the cell. Researchers at the Universities of Göttingen and Warwick investigated the structure and mechanics of the main component of the cell's cytoskeleton:.....»»
Agronomists map evolution and genetic diversity of millet to increase yield
Compared to other cereals, millet (Panicum miliaceum L) has an important advantage—resistance to a more arid climate. Millet contains all the essential amino acids, 10%–15% of its composition is protein. However, millet yields less than wheat, fo.....»»
New technology for long-term liquid storage of chicken semen by arresting energy metabolism
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have developed an advanced refrigerated storage technology that prolongs the fertilization capacity of chicken sperm by arresting the energy metabolism dynamics, achieved through the depletion of calcium ins.....»»
Perfluoroalkyl acids found to accelerate DNA degradation, highlighting potential ecological risks
Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs), infamous for their persistence and widespread environmental presence, have long been a concern due to their toxicological impacts. However, the specific ecological consequences of their interaction with environmental DNA.....»»
GPCR structure: Research reveals molecular origins of function for a key drug target
Through an international collaboration, scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have leveraged data science, pharmacology and structural information to conduct an atomic-level investigation into how each amino acid in the receptor that bi.....»»
Thianthrenium chemistry allows reactivity switch of a nucleophilic amino acid into a versatile intermediate
Chemical diversification of proteins is an important concept in the study of biological processes and the complex structures of the proteins themselves. Researchers from the Max Planck Society have now published their fascinating findings concerning.....»»
Researchers discover how cysteine activates a key regulator of cell growth in yeast
Amino acids are the building blocks of life. We obtain them from the food we eat, and the body uses them to make proteins, which in turn are used for growth, development, and a multitude of other functions. However, before the body can build with the.....»»
New study explores amino acid that turns into gel in water
Hydrogels, ubiquitous materials in our daily lives, are the focus of scientific research published in Chemistry—A European Journal. Conducted by the SupraBioNanoLab at the Department of Chemistry, Materials and Chemical Engineering Giulio Natta at.....»»
Saturday Citations: Dogs (woolly) and cats (athletic). Plus: Amino acid precursors on Enceladus, beer goggles on Earth
This week, scientists reported on drinking beer, Saturnian expulsions, an ancient North American dog breed, and cats playing dogs' favorite game, fetch......»»
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......»»