Molecular & Structural Biology

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Study unravels mechanism behind unusual protein folding patterns

Proteins are long molecules that must fold into complex three-dimensional structures to perform their cellular functions. This folding process occasionally goes awry, resulting in misfolded proteins that, if not corrected, can potentially lead to disease.

14 Mar 2025

New approach to combat cancer by reactivating natural RNA kill switch

Alternative RNA splicing is like a movie editor cutting and rearranging scenes from the same footage to create different versions of a film.

14 Mar 2025

How your gut microbiome shapes anxiety

Researchers examine the role of the gut microbiome in the development of anxiety disorders.

12 Mar 2025

Novel regulators in digestive tract disease progression and treatment

This new article published in Genes & Diseases highlights the critical role of tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in digestive tract diseases, positioning these molecules as potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted therapies. The comprehensive review explores the biogenesis, classification, and biological functions of tsRNAs, shedding light on their influence over cellular processes such as translation regulation, epigenetic modification, and protein interactions.

11 Mar 2025

Study highlights the role of ELF4 as a key transcription factor in development, immunity, and oncology

ELF4, a transcription factor belonging to the ETS family, has emerged as a pivotal regulator in cell differentiation, immune system function, and cancer progression. This newly published review underscores its molecular complexity and clinical significance, shedding light on its dual role in tumor suppression and oncogenesis.

11 Mar 2025

New algorithm enhances prediction of disordered protein structures

The intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) do not attain a stable secondary or tertiary structure and rapidly change their conformation, making structure prediction particularly challenging.

7 Mar 2025

Researchers identify unique enzyme that targets prebiotic glycans

Carbohydrate chains, or glycans, are complex sugar-like compounds that play important roles in various biological processes and structures in our bodies.

6 Mar 2025

TUM scientists develop new protein purification method using UV light

Proteins play a key role in the life sciences - from basic research and biotechnological applications to the development and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals.

5 Mar 2025

Breakthrough study sheds light on Pol-theta’s role in DNA repair and cancer

DNA repair proteins act like the body's editors, constantly finding and reversing damage to our genetic code. Researchers have long struggled to understand how cancer cells hijack one of these proteins-called polymerase theta (Pol-theta)-for their own survival.

4 Mar 2025

Groundbreaking studies reveal how DNA folding guides sperm cell development

Two new landmark studies show how a seeming tangle of DNA is actually organized into a structure that coordinates thousands of genes to form a sperm cell.

3 Mar 2025

LUC7 proteins play crucial role in efficient RNA splicing

RNA splicing is a cellular process that is critical for gene expression. After genes are copied from DNA into messenger RNA, portions of the RNA that don't code for proteins, called introns, are cut out and the coding portions are spliced back together.

21 Feb 2025

Scientists use Zwitterions to prevent blood clotting in medical devices

Zwitterions sound likes a distant cousin of Twitter (X), but in fact they are a common macromolecule found in human cells. Scientists at the University of Sydney are also now using Zwitterions to create materials that could stop blood clots from forming in medical devices and implants.

19 Feb 2025

Direct connection found between memory and sensory processing centers in brain

A newly identified part of a brain circuit mixes sensory information, memories, and emotions to tell whether things are familiar or new—and important or just "background noise."

19 Feb 2025

Scientists pinpoint metabolic failure as the cause of muscle loss in aging

A multi-omics study reveals that impaired branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) catabolism is a key driver of sarcopenia, suggesting it as a potential therapeutic target.

17 Feb 2025

Chronic stress rewires the brain, dulling sound perception

Repeated stress disrupts auditory processing, making sounds seem quieter over time, as shown in a new study on mice.

17 Feb 2025

A step toward precision medicine: New drug targets for heart failure

Researchers identify several promising drug targets for heart failure and its clinical subtypes.

14 Feb 2025

EMBL researchers reveal new structural insights into minor spliceosome function

In human cells, only a small proportion of the information written in genes is used to produce proteins. How does the cell select this information? A large molecular machine called the spliceosome continuously separates the coding and non-coding regions of our genes – and it's doing this even as you read these lines.

12 Feb 2025