Chemical Biology

Researchers have synthesized a key compound, pantetheine, under early Earth-like conditions, offering new insights into life’s origins. This breakthrough challenges previous notions about life’s beginnings in water, suggesting a simultaneous emergence of essential biological molecules, and paving the way for future explorations into the chemistry of life’s foundation.A new study led by researchers at UCL has successfully synthesized a chemical compound in the laboratory under conditions that could have existed on early…

Scientists from Trinity College Dublin and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland have developed innovative fluorescent dyes that change color to visualize different biological environments using a single dye. These dyes, capable of “switching on” and “off” based on their location within cellular structures, enable real-time, high-contrast imaging of cellular processes. This breakthrough, published in the journal Chem, paves the way for advancements in bio-sensing, drug delivery imaging, and the study of cellular…

Scientists have spent decades researching clean and efficient ways to break down plants for use as biofuels and other bioproducts. A species of ants works with a type of fungus to accomplish this naturally. Kristin Burnum-Johnson and her team set out to investigate how this is accomplished at the molecular level. Credit: Illustration by Mike Perkins and Nathan Johnson | Pacific Northwest National LaboratoryScientists at PNNL have devised a novel technique to visualize tiny inner workings of complex fungal communityFor…

Scientists from the University of Illinois Chicago and Harvard University have developed a new antibiotic, cresomycin, as a potential tool against drug-resistant bacteria. This achievement stems from research into how antibiotics interact with the bacterial ribosome and strategies to overcome bacterial defenses, like ribosome modification. Cresomycin’s effectiveness against multidrug-resistant strains in animal studies signals its promise for human applications, highlighting the crucial role of structural biology in…

Foods such as yogurts, canned vegetables, and packaged breads frequently include preservatives that leverage the antimicrobial properties of substances like lantibiotics, including those similar to nisin, to ensure their longevity and safety. These additives, while essential for preventing microbial growth that can lead to spoilage, are now being studied for their broader implications on health, particularly their interactions with the human gut microbiome. Recent findings by researchers at the University of Chicago point…

Researchers at UC Riverside have advanced the treatment of Huntington’s disease by identifying the role of RNA methylation in its progression, offering potential for developing effective therapies for this and other neurodegenerative diseases. Credit: SciTechDaily.comNew treatments offer hope for other nervous system disorders, including ALS.Huntington’s disease, characterized by involuntary movements and dementia, is currently incurable and ultimately fatal. However, scientists at UC Riverside have made a groundbreaking…

In the late 1980s, scientist Bernhard Schink predicted that a microorganism could produce energy from phosphite. Decades later, a new species was discovered in a sewage plant, which proved his theory. This organism, which forms a new genus of bacteria, uses phosphite oxidation for energy, a process that could date back 2.5 billion years, providing insights into early biochemical evolution and potential life in extreme environments (Artist’s concept). Credit: SciTechDaily.comBiologists from Konstanz have unveiled a unique…

Researchers have discovered a crucial link between Alzheimer’s disease and fat metabolism, specifically focusing on the amyloid-beta protein and sulfatides. The study, which also considers the impact of diet and lifestyle, opens new possibilities for treatment and prevention. This groundbreaking work could significantly influence future approaches to Alzheimer’s disease.Recent research by Professors Marcus Grimm and Tobias Hartmann at the Rhineland Campus of SRH University of Applied Health Sciences in Leverkusen and…

A team of researchers has uncovered a novel way that molecules can interact non-reciprocally without external forces, through a mechanism involving kinetic asymmetry. This discovery challenges traditional views on molecular interactions and could have profound implications for understanding life’s evolution and designing molecular machines. Credit: SciTechDaily.comScientists have found that molecules can interact in a non-reciprocal manner without external forces, a discovery that could change our understanding of…

Graphical abstract of cyclic oral peptides. Credit: Christian Heinis/EPFLA groundbreaking study at EPFL has led to the development of orally available cyclic peptides, offering new possibilities in drug development for various diseases, especially cancer.For decades, a substantial number of proteins, vital for treating various diseases, have remained elusive to oral drug therapy. Traditional small molecules often struggle to bind to proteins with flat surfaces or require specificity for particular protein homologs.…