Structural biology is a subfield of molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysics concerned with the molecular structure of biological macromolecules like proteins, nucleic acids, and their complexes. It aims to provide a detailed understanding of the molecular architecture of these macromolecules and how alterations in their structures affect their function. Techniques such as X-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) are commonly used to determine the positions of atoms within a molecule in three-dimensional space. Insights gained from structural biology are crucial for elucidating the mechanisms of biological processes and for designing drugs that can interact with proteins and other targets at the molecular level. This field has contributed significantly to the development of new therapeutics, understanding disease mechanisms, and the design of novel enzymes for industrial applications.
Scientists at Scripps Research have developed atomic-level structural models of enzymes linked to autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, such as lupus and Alzheimer’s disease. When nucleic…
A recent re-emergence and outbreak of Mpox brought poxviruses back as a public health threat, underlining an important knowledge gap at their core. Now, a…
A significant study identifies a genetic variant in the SYCE2 gene that heightens the risk of miscarriage by 22%, shedding light on the genetic causes…
New crystallography experiments using high pressure and heat to reveal how proteins change shape could advance the development of novel drugs. Proteins do the heavy…
Neurons communicate through chemical signals known as neurotransmitters. Researchers at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, leveraging their expertise in structural biology, have successfully elucidated the…
University of Missouri researchers’ conceptual design of a nanomaterial could potentially pave the way for new uses of nanotechnology in medicine and science. In a…
The study identifies areas impacted by hazardous genetic alterations. Scientists at Ohio State University have breathed new life into the study of a protein with…
Scientists at the Vienna BioCenter and UNC School of Medicine revealed the intercellular choreography that governs protein regulation, including how unwanted proteins are tagged for…
Detailed 3D modeling aided Rice scientists in enhancing the system’s precision. Small and precise: These are the ideal characteristics for CRISPR systems, the Nobel-prize winning technology used…
Using ultrafast physics in structural biology has unveiled the intricate dance of molecular ‘coherence’ in unprecedented clarity. Understanding how molecules transform in response to stimuli…
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have generated detailed images of a neuronal channel known as Calcium Homeostasis Modulator Protein 1 (CALHM1), which plays significant…
Exciting new findings shed light on the interaction between the protein calmodulin and an ion channel in the eye, potentially unlocking the secret behind our…
Research indicates that certain neural cell circuits responsible for color vision are exclusive to humans. Research in the field of color vision has uncovered new…
Extremely long tail provides a window into how bacteria-infecting viruses assemble. A recent study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry has revealed the secret behind…
Tokyo Tech developed a new cell-free protein crystallization (CFPC) method that includes direct protein crystallization and is a major advancement in the field of structural…
Chiral molecules exist in two forms known as enantiomers, which are mirror images of each other and non-superposable – much like a pair of hands….
Combination of nucleic acid nanotechnology and cryo-EM gives unprecedented insights into the structures of large and small RNAs, advancing RNA biology and drug design. We…
Research team reveals what drives the circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria. Scientists want to increase their understanding of circadian rhythms, those internal 24-hour biological clock cycles…