Researchers are developing a biochemical process to disrupt the process by which bacteria become virulent
Scientists at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) are developing a biochemical process that uses a protein molecule to disrupt the process by which bacteria become virulent, a finding that could have widespread implications for human health.
Posted: Jan 23rd, 2013
Read moreOdd biochemistry yields lethal bacterial protein
While working out the structure of a cell-killing protein produced by some strains of the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis, researchers stumbled on a bit of unusual biochemistry. They found that a single enzyme helps form distinctly different, three-dimensional ring structures in the protein, one of which had never been observed before.
Posted: Jan 22nd, 2013
Read moreA diffusion trap
Sticky spots on cell membranes hold onto the master regulator of cell polarity, helping to ensure that the regulatory protein accumulates in high enough concentrations to trigger cell polarity.
Posted: Jan 22nd, 2013
Read moreDeveloping microbial cell factories by employing synthetic small regulatory RNAs
A new metabolic engineering tool that allows fine control of gene expression level by employing synthetic small regulatory RNAs was developed to efficiently construct microbial cell factories producing desired chemicals and materials.
Posted: Jan 20th, 2013
Read moreNovel technique reveals dynamics of telomere DNA structure
Chromosome-capping telomeres are a potential target for anti-cancer drugs.
Posted: Jan 19th, 2013
Read moreProtein folding via charge zippers
Researchers report a novel charge zipper principle used by proteins to form functional units.
Posted: Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreResearchers use luminescent mice to track cancer and aging in real-time
Scientists have developed a new method to visualize aging and tumor growth in mice using a gene closely linked to these processes.
Posted: Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreA molecular assembly line brings muscles into shape
Scientists at the Research Institute of Molecular Pathology (IMP) in Vienna, Austria and at the University of Cologne, Germany have discovered the molecular basis underlying the patterned folding and assembly of muscle proteins.
Posted: Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreThe cell that isn't (w/video)
New technique captures division of membrane-less cells.
Posted: Jan 18th, 2013
Read moreScientists shed light on the "dark matter" of DNA
Genes make up only a minority of the entire genome sequence - roughly two percent in humans. The remainder was once dismissed as "junk", mostly because its function remained elusive. "Dark matter" might be more appropriate, but gradually light is being shed on this part of the genome, too.
Posted: Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreFraunhofer shows bio-tiles and heat-resistant biopolymers
Fraunhofer researchers are exhibiting how renewable, biodegradable and biostable raw materials can be used in architecture, interior design and the packaging industry at this year's International Green Week in Berlin.
Posted: Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreHoney, I'm just trying to loss weight - Viagra converts fat cells
Researchers from the University of Bonn treated mice with Viagra and made an amazing discovery: The drug converts undesirable white fat cells and could thus potentially melt the unwelcome 'spare tire' around the midriff.
Posted: Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreElectrogenic bioreactor harnesses BactoBots that clean wastewater, generate electricity, and produce hydrogen
United States patent for wastewater-to-value technology awarded to Bacterial Robotics.
Posted: Jan 17th, 2013
Read moreLipid vesicles to replace mouse experiments
Researchers from ETH Zurich have filed a patent application for a method to test the biological activity of one of the strongest toxins known, the botulinum neurotoxin. If the procedure is adopted by the pharmaceutical industry, it could save the lives of more than half a million mice per year.
Posted: Jan 17th, 2013
Read more3D mapping of lipid orientation in biological tissues such as skin
A non-invasive method that makes it possible to observe in situ how assemblies of lipids are oriented in biological tissues, and which does not require any labeling or preparation, has been developed by physicists.
Posted: Jan 15th, 2013
Read moreDesigner bacteria may lead to better vaccines
Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a menu of 61 new strains of genetically engineered bacteria that may improve the efficacy of vaccines for diseases such as flu, pertussis, cholera and HPV.
Posted: Jan 15th, 2013
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