New proteins "out of nothing"
Proteins are the key component in all modern forms of life. Hemoglobin, for example, transports the oxygen in our blood; photosynthesis proteins in the leaves of plants convert sunlight into energy; and fungal enzymes help us to brew beer and bake br.....»»
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.....»»
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.....»»
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......»»
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......»»
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.....»»
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......»»
Scientists "cautiously optimistic" about AI"s role in drug discovery
The human body contains at least 20,000 different proteins, often called the "workhorses of the cell" because of their role in keeping cells healthy. Each protein consists of a unique string of amino acids that affects its shape and function—or dys.....»»
Hidden players in climate change: How microscopic proteins could shape our future
In the narrative about climate change, we often focus on the big and visible—like shrinking glaciers and churning hurricanes. But there's another world, microscopic and hidden, that's just as crucial and the focus of a new study by Amy Gladfelter,.....»»
Parasite engineered to deliver therapy proteins to nerve cells
An international team of neurobiologists has developed a way to use a parasite to deliver protein therapies through the blood–brain barrier to treat nerve cell disorders. In their study published in Nature Microbiology, the group engineered the par.....»»
Developing new methods for targeted protein degradation
Northwestern Medicine scientists have developed a new, more precise method to target proteins implicated in certain types of cancer, according to a study published in Nature Chemical Biology......»»
Researchers create ADP- or ATP-containing molecules with improved yield and consistency
Adenosine diphosphate (ADP) or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-containing important biological molecules can modify macromolecules like proteins and nucleic acids to alter their function in the cell. Synthesizing ADP- and ATP-containing molecules using.....»»
Cheesemaking is a complex science—a food chemist explains the process from milk to mozzarella
Cheese is a relatively simple food. It's made with milk, enzymes—these are proteins that can chop up other proteins—bacterial cultures and salt. Lots of complex chemistry goes into the cheesemaking process, which can determine whether the cheese.....»»
Scientists hijack natural delivery system to send engineered proteins to target cells
Each cell in the body has its own unique delivery system that scientists are working on harnessing to move revolutionary biological drugs—molecules like proteins, RNA and combinations of the two—to specific diseased parts of the body......»»
Innovative microscopy reveals amyloid architecture, may give insights into neurodegenerative disease
Amyloid-beta (A-beta) aggregates are tangles of proteins most notably associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Despite its constant stint in the limelight, however, researchers have been unable to get a good understanding of ho.....»»
Study finds persistent proteins may influence metabolomics results
Van Andel Institute scientists have identified more than 1,000 previously undetected proteins in common metabolite samples, which persist despite extraction methods designed to weed them out......»»