https://phys.org/ en-us Phys.org internet news portal provides the latest news on science including: Physics, Nanotechnology, Life Sciences, Space Science, Earth Science, Environment, Health and Medicine. An international research team reveals new molecular mechanisms associated with pathogenic mutations in the protein transthyretin that cause transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR), a group of fatal progressive diseases. The results, obtained thanks to a new methodological approach, open the door to the development of drugs with higher therapeutic potential, designed specifically for the variants of the protein associated with the disease. https://phys.org/news/2026-01-method-reveals-mutations-transthyretin-amyloidosis.html Biochemistry Fri, 09 Jan 2026 13:03:30 EST news687186181 For billions of years, bacteria have waged an ongoing arms race against viruses, evolving many defense mechanisms against the infectious invaders. Now, these evolutions may offer innovative ways for humans to fight viruses, according to Thomas Wood, professor of chemical engineering at Penn State. https://phys.org/news/2025-10-dog-prehistoric-viruses-defend-bacterial.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 27 Oct 2025 07:56:04 EDT news680770561 In recent years, there has been growing concern over the H5N1 influenza virus. It was first identified in birds three decades ago and has now gradually found its way to humans. H5N1 is a strain of the influenza virus harboring type 5 hemagglutinin (H5) and type 1 neuraminidase (N1) surface proteins, which help in viral entry and spread, respectively. https://phys.org/news/2025-08-analysis-reveals-h5n1-mutations-linked.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:19:45 EDT news674234375 The 2025 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, which took place from March 10–14 in The Woodlands, Texas, witnessed some very interesting proposals for space exploration and science. In addition to bold mission concepts, scientists presented exciting opportunities for potential research that addresses major questions. Not the least of which was "How can humans survive in space and extraterrestrial environments"? One study in particular presented how the study of tardigrades could help address the challenges involved. https://phys.org/news/2025-04-survive-space-tardigrade.html Astrobiology Mon, 07 Apr 2025 16:25:03 EDT news663261901 SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, infects cells by binding its spike protein to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors. Blocking this interaction with inhibitors could prevent infection. Since these inhibitors act directly on the virus without affecting human cells, they may be safer than some existing treatments. However, mutations in the spike protein can alter its structure, reducing the effectiveness of these inhibitors. https://phys.org/news/2025-03-cespiace-broad-spectrum-peptide-inhibitor.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:24:03 EDT news661166641 Scientists have made enormous advances in understanding the structures of proteins over the past several decades. Imaging technologies like cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography help researchers visualize the shapes of proteins in unprecedented detail; however, these tools primarily produce static snapshots of molecules. To truly understand protein function, researchers need to see them in action. https://phys.org/news/2025-02-ray-technology-captures-proteins-motion.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 28 Feb 2025 09:30:01 EST news659957119 Protein aggregation is typical of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and prion diseases such as Creutzfeld-Jakob disease. A research team headed by Professor Jörg Tatzelt from the Department of Biochemistry of Neurodegenerative Diseases at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, has now used new in vitro and cell culture models to show that a lipid anchor on the outer membrane of nerve cells inhibits the aggregation of the prion protein. https://phys.org/news/2025-01-membrane-anchor-suppresses-protein-aggregation.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 06 Jan 2025 10:23:47 EST news655381424 Proteins are so much more than nutrients in food. Virtually every reaction in the body that makes life possible involves this large group of molecules. And when things go wrong in our health, proteins are usually part of the problem. https://phys.org/news/2024-12-protein-reveals-mysteries-life-enabling.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 05 Dec 2024 09:07:07 EST news652612022 From early development to old age, cell death is a part of life. Without enough of a critical type of cell death known as apoptosis, animals wind up with too many cells, which can set the stage for cancer or autoimmune disease. But careful control is essential, because when apoptosis eliminates the wrong cells, the effects can be just as dire, helping to drive many kinds of neurodegenerative disease. https://phys.org/news/2024-11-cell-protector-collaborates-killer-explores.html Cell & Microbiology Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:46:04 EST news651239161 Researchers at the Center for Algorithmic and Robotized Synthesis within the Institute for Basic Science have taken a significant step forward in understanding the stability of proteins by leveraging the power of AI. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-protein-mutant-stability-inferred-ai.html Molecular & Computational biology Thu, 29 Aug 2024 10:09:42 EDT news644144979 Genetic disorders—like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease—are considered incurable, with gene mutations occurring in essentially every cell of the body. Gene mutations occur when one nucleotide in a codon is switched. In non-synonymous mutations, this disrupts the codon's function to code for its amino acid. In synonymous mutations, the codon still codes the correct amino acid. As such, these mutations are dubbed "silent" and often considered inconsequential to human health. https://phys.org/news/2024-08-silent-mutations-repercussions-gene.html Molecular & Computational biology Wed, 28 Aug 2024 14:50:04 EDT news644075401 Researchers led by Prof. Zhang Zairong from the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have identified a post-translational topogenesis pathway for the folding and assembly of multi-spanning membrane proteins (MSPs). https://phys.org/news/2024-05-topogenesis-pathway-multi-spanning-membrane.html Molecular & Computational biology Fri, 17 May 2024 12:02:35 EDT news635166153 Rice University's Peter Wolynes and his research team have unveiled a breakthrough in understanding how specific genetic sequences, known as pseudogenes, evolve. Their paper was published May 13 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. https://phys.org/news/2024-05-reveals-insights-protein-evolution.html Evolution Mon, 13 May 2024 17:01:03 EDT news634838461 How mutations impact protein stability and structure dynamics is crucial for understanding the molecular mechanism of the disease and the targeted drug design. However, probing the molecular details of mutation-induced subtle structure dynamics is still challenging. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-ultraviolet-photodissociation-mass-spectrometry-strategy.html Biochemistry Tue, 16 Apr 2024 09:36:02 EDT news632478961 Flowers may look delicate—but flowering plants, what scientists call angiosperms, are one of the most successful evolutionary organisms on the planet. Including more than 350,000 known species, they dominate the ecological system, shape food webs and play a vital role in oxygen production. Plus, many of them are valuable commercial crops—think of roses, grains and tomatoes. https://phys.org/news/2024-04-ancient-dinosaurs-scientists-evolved.html Evolution Wed, 10 Apr 2024 14:40:02 EDT news631971593 New research from the University of Wisconsin–Madison decodes the evolutionary pathway of regulatory proteins, the molecules that help control gene expression. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-reveal-evolutionary-path-important-proteins.html Evolution Fri, 29 Mar 2024 13:34:51 EDT news630938087 Enzymes, nature's remarkable biocatalysts, play an integral role in various aspects of daily life. Consider the awe-inspiring sight of fireflies lighting up a summer night. Their captivating glow serves not just to enchant observers but also plays a role in communication and mating. This natural spectacle is powered by an enzyme known as luciferase. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-generative-ai-illuminates-enzyme-secrets.html Biotechnology Wed, 20 Mar 2024 16:55:02 EDT news630172501 After the egg has been fertilized by a sperm, the surrounding egg coat tightens, mechanically preventing the entry of additional sperm and the ensuing death of the embryo. This is according to a new study led by researchers at Karolinska Institutet and published in the journal Cell. The work also explains how mutations in egg coat proteins can cause female infertility and may eventually lead to new contraceptive methods. https://phys.org/news/2024-03-discovery-reveals-egg-sperm-entry.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 14 Mar 2024 11:00:01 EDT news629626797 A previously mysterious small RNA molecule in mice is found to play a crucial role in gene expression, and may be the first identified member of a new class of regulatory RNAs. https://phys.org/news/2023-12-mice-natural-gene-therapy.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:01 EST news621685467 The idea of irreversible inhibitors adhering permanently to a target protein has gained increasing attention for application in potential drug development. However, one of many hurdles is the possibility of protein mutations making otherwise effective drugs pharmacologically inactive. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-irreversible-inhibitor-proteins-drug-resistant-mutations.html Biochemistry Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:28:00 EST news620483277 Proteins, the workhorses of biology, are encoded by DNA sequences and are responsible for vital functions within cells. Since the first experimental measurement of a protein structure was made by John Kendrew in the 1950s, protein's ability to fold into complex three-dimensional structures has long been a subject of scientific fascination and importance. However, determining these structures experimentally has remained a formidable challenge for decades. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-limits-alphafold2-accuracy-protein.html Biotechnology Wed, 22 Nov 2023 10:19:49 EST news619870785 When mammals have offspring, they invest a lot. Unlike fish or frogs, the embryo cannot develop on its own. It has to implant in the uterus, where it is supplied with everything it needs to survive. Until this happens, the egg cell nourishes the early embryo. Among other things, it provides essential proteins. https://phys.org/news/2023-11-egg-cells-proteins-life.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 06 Nov 2023 11:28:05 EST news618492481 Scientists have breathed new life into the study of a protein with an outsized link to human cancers because of its dangerous mutations, using advanced research techniques to detect its hidden regions. https://phys.org/news/2023-10-revealing-secrets-key-cancer-protein.html Cell & Microbiology Wed, 18 Oct 2023 11:28:04 EDT news616847281 In the world of threatened and endangered species conservation, the genomic revolution has raised some complicated questions: How can scientists justify assessing species genetic diversity without consulting entire genomes now that they can be sequenced? But then again, how can scientists justify the time and expense of genome sequencing when age-old measures of neutral genetic diversity are much cheaper and easier to obtain? https://phys.org/news/2023-10-genomic-analysis-snakes-link-neutral.html Evolution Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:39:05 EDT news616689541 Researchers at Google DeepMind, the tech giant's artificial intelligence arm, on Tuesday introduced a tool that predicts whether genetic mutations are likely to cause harm, a breakthrough that could help research into rare diseases. https://phys.org/news/2023-09-google-ai-tool-danger-genetic.html Biotechnology Wed, 20 Sep 2023 04:35:47 EDT news614403340 Researchers have determined a new feature of how the natural ends of our chromosomes are protected from harmful outcomes. https://phys.org/news/2023-08-pot-hole-chromosome.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 17 Aug 2023 14:51:42 EDT news611502698 Transcription factor IIH, or TFIIH, pronounced "TF two H," is a veritable workhorse among the protein complexes that control human cell activity. It plays critical roles both in transcription—the highly regulated enzymatic synthesis of RNA from a DNA template—and in the repair of damaged DNA. But how can one protein assembly participate in two such vastly different and extremely important genomic tasks? https://phys.org/news/2023-07-dna-repair-protein-complex-shapeshifter-reconfiguring.html Cell & Microbiology Mon, 10 Jul 2023 11:00:04 EDT news608205601 Scientists at The University of Texas at Dallas are using machine learning to study proteins—the molecules that carry out essential life functions—in a way that could impact protein engineering, human health and the evolutionary tracking of proteins related to infectious diseases. https://phys.org/news/2023-07-biologists-method-paths-proteins.html Molecular & Computational biology Mon, 10 Jul 2023 10:23:03 EDT news608203381 Brain cells manufacture proteins in every corner, including their long branches. Neurons missing this ability cause severe neurological disorders like disability and epilepsy. The groups of Marino Zerial, Max Planck Institute (MPI) of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics in Dresden, and Stefan Raunser, MPI of Molecular Physiology in Dortmund, together with colleagues from the MPI for Brain Research in Frankfurt am Main and the MPI for Biophysical Chemistry in Göttingen have discovered a new delivery mechanism that brings messenger RNA (mRNA), the proteins' blueprint, to the point of need in neurons. https://phys.org/news/2023-06-link-mrna-delivery-brain-cells.html Cell & Microbiology Fri, 02 Jun 2023 10:01:22 EDT news604918879 DNA is well known as the blueprint of life, necessary for an organism to facilitate living processes. DNA can be damaged by various factors such as radical metabolites, radiation, and some toxic chemicals. As DNA is a molecule consisting of two strands, either one or both of the strands can be damaged. https://phys.org/news/2023-05-cells-dna-pathways.html Cell & Microbiology Thu, 18 May 2023 13:09:07 EDT news603634144