Protein machinery of respiration becomes visible
Oxygen and sugar are the basis of life for animals, plants, fungi and many bacteria. The metabolic process called respiration makes it possible to convert food into energy for the cells. Biochemist Prof. Dr. Carola Hunte and her team from the Cluster.....»»
Team discovers mechanism that protects tissue after faulty gene expression
A study at the University of Cologne's CECAD Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research has identified a protein complex that is activated by defects in the spliceosome, the molecular scissors that process genetic information. Future research could lead.....»»
Scientists investigate the potential of sustainable legume protein production in Switzerland
ETH Professor of Agriculture and later Federal Councilor Friedrich Traugott Wahlen, whose 125th birthday is being celebrated this year, endeavored to increase the self-sufficiency of Switzerland's food supply. He became famous for staving off an impe.....»»
Asteroid making its closest approach to Earth this week
On 4 February, asteroid 2011 MD will make its closest approach to the Earth. Though it will not be visible with the naked eye, the asteroid will pass 15,000,000 km away from Earth—much closer than those in the asteroid belt and less than 10% of the.....»»
How talin protein maintains intercellular connection while transmitting force
In multicellular organisms, cell migration and mechanosensing are essential for cellular development and maintenance. These processes rely on talin, the key focal adhesion—or FA—protein, central in connecting adjacent cellular matrices and enabli.....»»
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.....»»
New research brings order to disordered proteins
Protein molecules lie at the heart of biology. Our typical understanding of proteins states that each type of protein has a specific three-dimensional shape that enables it to perform its function. This dogma is challenged by intrinsically disordered.....»»
Gene expression influences 3D folding of chromosomes by altering structure of the DNA helix, finds study
A collaborative study by the UTokyo-KI LINK program, headed by Camilla Björkegren from Karolinska Institutet, Kristian Jeppsson and Katsuhiko Shirahige from The University of Tokyo shows that a protein complex named Smc5/6 binds DNA structures calle.....»»
Team develops a non-allergenic wheat protein for growing better cultivated meat
As the world's population increases, cultivated or lab-grown meat—animal muscle and fat cells grown in laboratory conditions—has emerged as a potential way to satisfy future protein needs. And edible, inexpensive plant proteins could be used to g.....»»
New AI model designs proteins to deliver gene therapy
Researchers at the University of Toronto have used an artificial intelligence framework to redesign a crucial protein involved in the delivery of gene therapy......»»
Molecular simulation AI tool reveals unresolved structure of transporter protein
In a groundbreaking study, researchers have unveiled a previously unknown conformational state of a crucial transporter protein, OxlT, which plays a vital role in preventing kidney stone formation. This discovery, achieved through advanced computatio.....»»
Hubble views NGC 3384, a galaxy settling into old age
NGC 3384, visible in this image, has many of the characteristic features of so-called elliptical galaxies. Such galaxies glow diffusely, are rounded in shape, display few visible features, and rarely show signs of recent star formation. Instead, they.....»»
Image: Hubble captures Arp 295
One of the galaxies from a galactic group known as Arp 295 is visible in this new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, along with part of the faint 250,000-light-year-long bridge of stars and gas that stretches between two of the galaxies. The galaxies.....»»
Image: Hubble spies side-by-side galaxies
A barred spiral galaxy and a lenticular galaxy come together to create this interacting pair known as Arp 140. The lenticular galaxy, NGC 274, is visible on the right side of this new NASA Hubble Space Telescope image, and the barred spiral, NGC 275,.....»»
6 Deaf Children Can Now Hear After a Single Injection
Several gene therapies aim to restore a protein necessary for transmitting sound signals from the ear to the brain......»»
Team unravels activation mechanism of a protein that combats bacteria
The human immune system is constantly fending off a wide range of invaders—a feat that requires a diverse array of cellular troops and molecular weaponry. Although a great deal is already known about immune defense cells and the strategies they emp.....»»
Research unveils how plants control the production of reactive oxygen species
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules containing oxygen. These compounds, which are normal byproducts of biological processes in all living organisms such as aerobic respiration as well as photosynthesis, are highly toxic. In mo.....»»
Team expands research of water droplet interfaces that offer the secret ingredient for building life
R. Graham Cooks, the Henry B. Hass Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, and his postdoctoral researcher Lingqi Qiu have experimental evidence that the key step in protein formation can occur in droplets of pure water, and have recently published the.....»»
Gravity helps show strong force strength in the proton
The power of gravity is writ large across our visible universe. It can be seen in the lock step of moons as they circle planets; in wandering comets pulled off-course by massive stars; and in the swirl of gigantic galaxies. These awesome displays sho.....»»
Protein from mosquitoes could help control dengue virus infection
NUS scientists have revealed the structure and function of a pupal cuticle protein found in the exoskeleton—a hard covering that supports and protects the bodies of some types of invertebrate animals, especially arthropods—of Aedes aegypti mosqui.....»»
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.....»»