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IMAGE: This is Dr. Danny Incarnato, a molecular geneticist at the University of Groningen, the Netherlands. In collaboration with colleagues from the University of Torino (Italy), his team developed a method. view more
Credit: University of Groningen
Scientists at the University of Groningen (The Netherlands), in collaboration with colleagues from the University of Torino (Italy), have developed a method to visualize and quantify alternative structures of RNA molecules. These alternative RNA shapes can have important functional relevance in viruses and bacteria. The researchers used an algorithm to rapidly analyse large quantities of chemically modified RNA molecules and calculate how many differently folded conformations were present. This technique was used to identify a conserved structural switch in the RNA of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The results of this analysis were published in the journal
Researchers have detailed a mechanism in the distinctive corona of Covid-19 that could help scientists to rapidly find new treatments for the virus, and quickly test whether existing treatments are likely to work with mutated versions as they develop.
The team, led by the University of Warwick as part of the EUTOPIA community of European universities, have simulated movements in nearly 300 protein structures of the Covid-19 virus spike protein by using computational modelling techniques, in an effort to help identify promising drug targets for the virus.
In a new paper published today (19 February) in the journal
Scientific Reports, the team of physicists and life scientists detail the methods they used to model the flexibility and dynamics of all 287 protein structures for the Covid-19 virus, also known as SARS-CoV-2, identified so far. Just like organisms, viruses are composed of proteins, large biomolecules that perform a variety of functions. The scientists believe that one m
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IMAGE: Mitoribosomes are tethered to the mitochondrial inner membrane to facilitate insertion of synthesized proteins (yellow) encoded by the mitochondrial genome. A gating mechanism of the exit tunnel (cyan) enables protein. view more
Credit: Dan W. Nowakowski and Alexey Amunts
Mitochondria are organelles that act as the powerhouses in our body. They use oxygen which we inhale and food we eat to produce energy that supports our life. This molecular activity is performed by bioenergetic nano-factories incorporated in specialized mitochondrial membranes. The nano-factories consist of proteins cooperatively transporting ions and electrons to generate chemical energy. Those have to be constantly maintained, replaced and duplicated during cell division. To address this, mitochondria have their own bioenergy protein-making machine called the mitoribosome. Given its key role, a deregulation of the mitoribosome can lead to medical disorders such as deafness and diseas
University of Queensland scientists have developed an ultraviolet television display designed to help researchers better understand how animals see the world.
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IMAGE: Researchers at Leipzig University found fluid and solid regions in breast and cervical tumours. The fluid regions can be recognised by elongated cells that squeeze through the dense tumour tissue. view more
Credit: Steffen Grosser, Leipzig University
Working with colleagues from Germany and the US, researchers at Leipzig University have achieved a breakthrough in research into how cancer cells spread. In experiments, the team of biophysicists led by Professor Josef Alfons Käs, Steffen Grosser and Jürgen Lippoldt demonstrated for the first time how cells deform in order to move in dense tumour tissues and squeeze past neighbouring cells. The researchers found that motile cells work together to fluidise tumour tissue.