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Molecular & Computational biology news
Bird genes are multitaskers, say scientists
Scientists from the University of Sheffield have found that although male and female birds have an almost identical set of genes, they function differently in each sex through a mechanism called alternative splicing.
Plants & Animals
14 hours ago
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New method allows precise gene control by light
A novel optical switch makes it possible to precisely control the lifespan of genetic copies. These are used by the cell as building instructions for the production of proteins. The method was developed by researchers from ...
Biotechnology
18 hours ago
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180
The molecules responsible for transcriptional bursting
New insights into what causes neighboring, genetically identical stem cells in mouse embryos to behave differently in terms of the proteins they produce could have implications for regenerative medicine and the early detection ...
Molecular & Computational biology
22 hours ago
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5
A worm's view on immunity
All higher organisms have an immune system that constitutes a biological defense mechanism to protect the body from pathogens and foreign substances. It consists of a complex network of different organs, cell types and molecules ...
Molecular & Computational biology
22 hours ago
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Machine learning takes on synthetic biology: algorithms can bioengineer cells for you
If you've eaten vegan burgers that taste like meat or used synthetic collagen in your beauty routine—both products that are "grown" in the lab—then you've benefited from synthetic biology. It's a field rife with potential, ...
Biotechnology
Sep 25, 2020
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304
The male Y chromosome does more than we thought
New light is being shed on a little-known role of Y chromosome genes, specific to males, that could explain why men suffer differently than women from various diseases, including COVID-19.
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 25, 2020
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551
Scientists discover a natural food pigment that can distinguish between living and dead cells in cell cultures
Conducting studies in vitro—a Latin term that literally means "in the glass"—is essential in the fields of medicine and biology. Working with in vitro cultures is a relatively cost-effective and easily repeatable way ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Sep 24, 2020
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Researchers demonstrate how deep learning can advance study of neural degeneration
Researchers from North Carolina State University have demonstrated the utility of artificial intelligence (AI) in identifying and categorizing neural degeneration in the model organism C. elegans. The tool uses deep learning, ...
Biotechnology
Sep 24, 2020
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Finding the Achilles' heel of a killer parasite
Two studies led by UT Southwestern researchers shed light on the biology and potential vulnerabilities of schistosomes—parasitic flatworms that cause the little-known tropical disease schistosomiasis. The findings, published ...
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 24, 2020
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89
Mystery of giant proton pump solved
Mitochondria are the powerhouses of our cells, generating energy that supports life. A giant molecular proton pump, called complex I, is crucial: It sets in motion a chain of reactions, creating a proton gradient that powers ...
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 24, 2020
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296
Histone degradation after DNA damage enhances repair
DNA damage can occur anywhere in the genome, but most DNA is wrapped around nucleosomes making it inaccessible to the repair machinery. Researchers from the Gasser group now show that DNA damage induces histone depletion, ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Sep 24, 2020
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Improving Asian buffalo breeds with genomics
Selective breeding of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and cattle with the help of genomics could help increase livestock productivity, thereby improving food security, nutrition and incomes for millions of smallholder farmers ...
Plants & Animals
Sep 24, 2020
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Studying gene function in animal models
Researchers from the group of Jeroen Bakkers have described a thorough way to study the function of genes in model animals such as the zebrafish. In their study, published in Nature on September 23rd, they give an example ...
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 24, 2020
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Placental development takes place days before the embryo forms, study finds
The first stages of placental development take place days before the embryo starts to form in human pregnancies. This new finding highlights the importance of healthy placental development in pregnancy, and could lead to ...
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 24, 2020
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A new strategy of cell entry for some types of parvoviruses
Researchers at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS), in collaboration with American scientists, have discovered a new parvovirus strategy for reaching the cell nucleus, where they reproduce. The results ...
Cell & Microbiology
Sep 24, 2020
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Genome of Alexander Fleming's original penicillin-producing mould sequenced
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Alexander Fleming's penicillin mould for the first time and compared it to later versions.
Biotechnology
Sep 24, 2020
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411
Placing barthelonids in evolutionary context
New species of microbial life are continually being identified, but localizing them on a phylogenetic tree is a challenge. Now, researchers at the University of Tsukuba have pinpointed barthelonids, a genus of free-living ...
Evolution
Sep 23, 2020
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A Sudoku-solving algorithm holds promise for protein medicine
Computational biologists at the University of Toronto have developed an artificial intelligence algorithm that has the potential to create novel protein molecules as finely tuned therapeutics.
Biotechnology
Sep 23, 2020
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182
Unraveling the genome in 3-D space
Proper folding of extremely long chromosomal DNA molecules is crucial for the correct functioning of the cell. Scientists from the Gerlich lab at IMBA—Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences—developed ...
Biotechnology
Sep 23, 2020
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Patented 'molecular heaters' to increase crop yield
Researchers at the University of Amsterdam have developed a novel class of molecules capable of raising the temperature of plants. Application of such molecular heaters allows crops to grow at lower environmental temperatures. ...
Biotechnology
Sep 23, 2020
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More news
Glycans in the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein play active role in infection
'Cheater mitochondria' may profit from cellular stress coping mechanisms
How ribosomes are like Russian dolls
Color-coded biosensor illuminates in real time how viruses attack hosts
Wels catfish genome assembled
Chemists develop 'smart cells' with potential to treat illness at cellular level
New insights into the role of the eisosomes as membrane building blocks in fungi
How to make a replication origin in multicellular eukaryotes
Removal of a gene could render lethal poxviruses harmless
Why we need a global citizens' assembly on gene editing
A scientific first: How psychedelics bind to key brain cell receptor
Making tuberculosis more susceptible to antibiotics
'Cellular compass' guides stem cell division in plants
Other news
The realization of active microscale Marangoni surfers
New measurements show moon has hazardous radiation levels
Materials scientists learn how to make liquid crystal shape-shift
Back to Venus: Upstart company wants to beat NASA in search for life
Diagnostic tool for coronavirus makes significant step forward
A clearer view of what makes glass rigid
Secure nano-carrier delivers medications directly to cells
Wolves have been caring for the pack for at least 1.3 million years
Humans develop more slowly than mice because our chemistry is different
Bringing new energy to mitochondria research
Study show what makes plant cell walls compress and stretch
Novel ultrafast nuclear magnetic resonance method for investigating molecular exchange
Turning the phage on infectious diseases
Super-potent blood stem cells discovered in human embryos
Native stinging tree toxins match the pain of spiders and scorpions
Primate brain size does not predict their intelligence
The surprising organisation of avian brains
Potential drug target for dangerous E. coli infections identified
Marine heatwaves are human-made
