DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) are two fundamental molecules essential for life as we know it. While they share similarities in their chemical composition and play crucial roles in genetic processes, they also exhibit distinct differences that are essential for understanding the complexity of biological systems. DNA, famously known as the “molecule of … Read more
University of Michigan researchers are celebrating their discovery of a new plant biochemistry and its unusual ability to form cyclic peptides—molecules that hold promise in pharmaceuticals as they can bind to challenging drug targets. Cyclic peptides are an emerging and promising area of drug research. The new study, led by U-M College of Pharmacy researchers … Read more
Scientists still are not sure how neurological symptoms arise in COVID-19. Is it because SARS-CoV-2 infects the brain? Or are these symptoms the result of inflammation in the rest of the body? A study by Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin has now produced evidence to support the latter theory. It was published in the journal Nature Neuroscience. Headaches, … Read more
Researchers can engineer cells to express new genes and produce specific proteins, giving the cells new parts to work with. But, it’s much harder to provide cells with instructions on how to organize and use those new parts. Now, new tools from University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers offer an innovative way around this problem. Their research … Read more
Cells lacking a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles are known as prokaryotic cells. These cells represent one of the two major categories of cells, the other being eukaryotic cells, which possess a nucleus and various membrane-bound organelles. Prokaryotic cells are found in two domains of life: Bacteria and Archaea. Despite their simplicity compared to eukaryotic cells, … Read more
A new Northwestern Medicine study has found the immune system in the blood of Alzheimer’s patients is epigenetically altered. That means the patients’ behavior or environment has caused changes that affect the way their genes work. Many of these altered immune genes are the same ones that increase an individual’s risk for Alzheimer’s. Northwestern scientists … Read more
Penn Engineers have pioneered a new way to visualize the smallest protein clusters, skirting the physical limitations of light-powered microscopes and opening new avenues for detecting the proteins implicated in diseases like Alzheimer’s and testing new treatments. In a paper appearing in Cell Systems, Lukasz Bugaj, Assistant Professor in Bioengineering, describes the creation of CluMPS, … Read more
A new study published in Nature Communications gives insights into the underlying mechanisms of the formation of protein clumps in Alzheimer’s disease. The study, led by researchers from Karolinska Institutet, could pave the way for new treatments for this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people worldwide, causing memory loss, confusion, and cognitive … Read more
Pancreatic cancer is the No. 3 cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and only 12% of patients survive five years after being diagnosed. Severe pancreatic cancer is associated with metastasis, and it is this spread of secondary tumors that usually causes death, but little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive metastasis. … Read more
Adenosine triphosphate, or ATP, serves as the primary energy currency in living organisms, playing a crucial role in various cellular processes across all forms of life. Its significance lies in its ability to store and transfer energy within cells, enabling fundamental biological functions necessary for life, growth, and reproduction. At its core, ATP consists of … Read more
Researchers in the RIKEN Center for Brain Science (CBS) examined the genetics of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by analyzing mutations in the genomes of individuals and their families. They discovered that a special kind of genetic mutation works differently from typical mutations in how it contributes to the condition. In essence, because of the three-dimensional … Read more
Just by looking at a short portion of a man’s genome it is possible to estimate the probability that he will die from prostate cancer—even before he has the cancer—thanks to a massive genetic study by RIKEN researchers. This ability will help pick up the cancer early in men who have a high risk of … Read more
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 employ, many molecular details have remained elusive. Now a research team led by Professor Oliver … Read more
Antibiotics have revolutionized the field of medicine, providing effective tools to combat bacterial infections and save countless lives. These powerful medications, derived from natural sources or synthesized in laboratories, target bacteria by interfering with their growth and reproduction. The discovery of antibiotics represents one of the most significant breakthroughs in medical history, shaping the landscape … Read more
Piperacillin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic belonging to the class of penicillins. It is widely used in the medical field to treat bacterial infections, particularly those caused by susceptible strains of Gram-negative and some Gram-positive bacteria. As an integral part of the beta-lactam group of antibiotics, piperacillin exerts its antibacterial effects by interfering with bacterial cell … Read more
Beta-lactam antibiotics constitute a significant class of medications widely used to combat bacterial infections. Named for the presence of a beta-lactam ring in their chemical structure, these antibiotics have been crucial in the field of medicine since the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Fleming in 1928. Over the years, the beta-lactam family has expanded to … Read more
Protein synthesis inhibitors are a class of compounds that interfere with the processes involved in the synthesis of proteins within cells. These inhibitors can be of natural or synthetic origin and have diverse applications, ranging from antibiotics to cancer treatments. Understanding the mechanisms of protein synthesis inhibition provides insights into the development of therapeutic agents … Read more
Protein synthesis is a complex and crucial biological process that occurs within the cells of living organisms. This intricate mechanism involves the synthesis of proteins, essential molecules responsible for carrying out various functions within the body. The process of protein synthesis encompasses two main stages: transcription and translation, both of which take place in distinct … Read more
A team of scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has demonstrated a way to produce large quantities of the receptor that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, binds to on the surface of human cells. That binding between the now-infamous viral spike protein and the human “ACE2” … Read more
The thymus gland, a vital organ in the immune system, holds a unique and crucial role in the development and maturation of T lymphocytes, or T cells. Located in the upper chest, just beneath the breastbone, the thymus undergoes dynamic changes throughout an individual’s life, with its peak activity occurring during childhood. Understanding the functions … Read more