First synthetic protein motor creates its own fuel as it ‘mows’

The body uses protein-based molecular motors to perform functions essential to life. Now, researchers have created ‘The Lawnmower,’ the first synthetic motor modeled on those found in nature that propels itself by harnessing the energy it creates as it… Continue reading First synthetic protein motor creates its own fuel as it ‘mows’

“Zombie” COVID particles may be responsible for lethal disease

Following the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in 2020 there are now seven different coronaviruses known to infect humans. Four of those are associated with generally harmless common respiratory infections, but the other three (SARS, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS) are mu… Continue reading “Zombie” COVID particles may be responsible for lethal disease

Virus-mimicking DNA particles deliver vaccine without immune side effects

MIT researchers have delivered a type of vaccine called a particulate vaccine to mice using a virus-mimicking scaffold made from particles of DNA instead of the usual protein particles. It not only generated a robust immune response but avoided the off… Continue reading Virus-mimicking DNA particles deliver vaccine without immune side effects

“Glob of randomness” linked to 75% of cancers reined in by novel peptide

Researchers have developed a peptide that targets a previously ‘undruggable’ protein implicated in more than 75% of human cancers and found that it slowed the proliferation of brain cancer cells in the lab. It’s the first step towards developing an eff… Continue reading “Glob of randomness” linked to 75% of cancers reined in by novel peptide

Novel ‘Chimera’ drug targets the ‘undruggable’ Parkinson’s protein

Researchers have developed a novel two-headed drug to treat Parkinson's disease

Inspired by a creature from Greek mythology, researchers have created a ‘two-headed’ drug that prevents the production of the toxic protein linked to Parkinson’s disease before destroying the RNA machinery that makes it. The novel drug may be a way of slowing or even stopping the disease’s progression.

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Coal-to-protein livestock feed uses 1/1000th as much land as farming

Chinese scientists have developed a cost-effective method of converting coal into protein, which they say could feed livestock much more efficiently than natural plants, while using a tiny fraction of the land.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Agr… Continue reading Coal-to-protein livestock feed uses 1/1000th as much land as farming

“Chemical chaperone” improves Alzheimer’s signs in early & late disease

Treatment with a supplementary 'chemical chaperone' has been shown to reduce protein plaques and improve cognitive performance in Alzheimer's disease

A new study has found that treatment with a ‘chemical chaperone’ assists in reducing the accumulation of protein plaques and restores cognitive functioning in mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. The findings could lead to novel treatments to help treat this debilitating disease.

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mRNA mod responsible for off-target effects identified & fixed

Researchers have discovered that a chemical modification to the synthetic messenger RNA used in therapeutics can cause the cell’s machinery to misread its instructions and result in unintended immune responses. Importantly, they’ve also discovered a so… Continue reading mRNA mod responsible for off-target effects identified & fixed

Rogue protein linked to early-onset dementia identified

A visualization of the structure of TAF15 amyloid filaments (in yellow), as detected by cryo-EM in the brains of four dementia patients

Scientists have identified odd clusters of a specific protein in the brains of people with early-onset dementia, pointing to a potential cause, a diagnostic tool and, ultimately, a therapy target for a disease that’s been largely a mystery to researchers.

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