All articles tagged with #biochemistry
Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an aspiring brain surgeon and talented musician, was among the victims of a shooting at Brown University, where he was attending a study session with friends when the gunman opened fire, resulting in two deaths and nine injuries.
Scientists in Taiwan have developed a new biochemical pathway called the McG Cycle that significantly enhances plant growth and carbon fixation, with potential applications in forestry, agriculture, and climate change mitigation, though it raises ecological and ethical concerns.
A new study suggests that simple chemical processes may explain how proteins, essential for life, first formed on Earth, shedding light on the origin of life.
A deep-sea polychaete worm, Paralvinella hessleri, survives high arsenic levels by converting it into a less toxic mineral through a process that combines arsenic with sulfide, revealing a novel biological adaptation to extreme environments.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have discovered a potential mechanism for the formation of early Earth protocells, which could explain the origins of life. The study, published in Nature Chemistry, reveals that simple molecules like cysteine and short-chain choline thioesters can spontaneously form lipid membranes when catalyzed by silica glass. This process, which does not require enzymes, could have led to the creation of protocell-like structures capable of sustaining biochemical reactions, offering insights into how life might have emerged from non-living matter.
Dr. Bengt Samuelsson, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist known for his groundbreaking research on prostaglandins and related molecules that led to treatments for inflammation, glaucoma, and allergies, has died at 90 due to heart disease. His work at the Karolinska Institute significantly advanced the understanding of lipid mediators in the body.
Researchers from ELSI and CalTech have modeled the evolutionary history of metabolism, revealing that only eight new reactions are needed to bridge ancient geochemistry with modern biochemistry. This study, published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, highlights the cyclic nature of biochemical evolution and the critical role of ATP, suggesting that even extinct biochemical reactions can be rediscovered through modern biochemistry.
Researchers from ELSI and CalTech have modeled the evolutionary history of metabolism, revealing that only a few "forgotten" biochemical reactions are needed to transform simple geochemical compounds into complex molecules of life. By using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database, they identified that modifying just eight reactions could bridge geochemistry and biochemistry, suggesting that even extinct reactions can be rediscovered from modern biochemical clues.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have developed a tool that allows them to program molecules to move around a cell to specific locations over time, essentially organizing and orchestrating cellular activities. By engineering interactions between specific proteins, they have created highly specified patterns to induce cellular behaviors and functions, offering potential for new treatments and the study of cellular activity in living organisms. This innovative tool has multiple potential uses for scientists interested in engineering specific cellular activities or studying cellular activity in a living organism.
Scientists have discovered a new, intermediate state in the process of protein folding, showing that folding can occur in two stages, one fast and the next much slower. This newly observed dry molten globule state, occurring over a period of 3–10 milliseconds, was found to be a crucial step in the protein folding process. The discovery provides insight into the structural evolution of proteins and may have implications for understanding diseases related to protein misfolding.
Researchers have found that black spots on reared Atlantic salmon filets contain eumelanin, while red spots do not detectably contain melanin, indicating different cellular origins for the two types of spots. The biochemical discontinuity between the red and black spots suggests that their pigments derive from distinct origins, namely red blood cells and melanomacrophages. This finding is an important step toward understanding the issue of discolorations on salmon filets, which has become a significant problem for commercial seafood farming, and may lead to further research to prevent these lesions.
Scientists at the Boyce Thompson Institute and Cornell University have discovered a new family of metabolites, acylspermidines, which are linked to sirtuins, enzymes involved in aging and disease. This connection could lead to new therapeutic strategies for extending health span and longevity. The findings, which show the presence of these metabolites in both the model organism C. elegans and mammals, suggest a conserved role in lifespan regulation and cell proliferation, offering a deeper understanding of the biochemical pathways involved in aging.
Researchers have used an algorithm to discover new and rare types of CRISPR systems, which could potentially be adapted for genome editing. By analyzing genetic sequences in public databases, the algorithm identified around 130,000 genes associated with CRISPR, including 188 that had never been seen before. The experiments revealed various strategies that CRISPR systems use to attack viruses, such as unwinding DNA and cutting it in ways that allow genes to be inserted or deleted. The researchers also discovered an entirely unknown CRISPR system that targets RNA. While it is too early to determine their usefulness for genetic engineering, these new findings provide valuable insights into the diversity and potential applications of CRISPR systems.
A study of Lake Superior has revealed a new type of sulfur cycle, providing insight into the biochemistry of Earth's ancient oceans. The lake's low sulfate levels make it similar to the ancient oceans, allowing scientists to analyze the sulfur cycle and understand processes that emerged when sulfate was scarce. Lake Superior serves as a great example of what the world's ancient oceans may have been like, helping scientists understand the evolution of early sulfur-cycling microorganisms and their impact on Earth's chemistry.
In his book "Most Delicious Poison," biologist Noah Whiteman explores the bioactive nature of plant toxins and their impact on humans. He discusses how seemingly benign plants can contain chemicals that have profound effects on our bodies and brains. Whiteman examines the evolutionary reasons behind plants producing toxins, the ways in which humans have harnessed these toxins for medicine and pleasure, and the potential benefits of certain plant chemicals. The book delves into topics such as the interaction between alcohol and GABAA receptors, the use of plant toxins as insecticides, and the evolutionary origins of spices. Whiteman's passion for the subject shines through, making it a fascinating read for those interested in botanical pharmacology and toxicology.