A New Gene Silencing Platform -- Silence Is Golden Feb 19, 2009
A new study published in the February issue of Nature Structural Biology reports the creation. (July 5, 2002) A natural method of disarming some types of viruses may enable scientists to someday treat infections with HIV, the AIDS virus, according to a virologist at Jefferson Medical College. (Science Daily)
Comparison of molecular dynamics and superfamily spaces of protein domain deformation Feb 17, 2009
BMC Structural Biology 2009, 9:6doi:10. 1186/1472-6807-9-6. (BioMed Central)
authors & referees @ NPG Feb 8, 2009
Nature Structural & Molecular Biology evolved from the successful Nature Structural Biology. It publishes studies that advance the understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying all cellular processes, and that provide mechanistic insights. (Nature News Service)
deCODE Breakthrough in Thyroid Cancer May Enable More Targeted Risk Assessment and Earlier Intervention Feb 7, 2009
Its lead therapeutic programs, which leverage the company's expertise in chemistry and structural biology, include DG041, an antiplatelet compound being developed for the prevention of arterial thrombosis; DG051 and DG031, compounds targeting the leukotriene pathway for the prevention of heart attack; and DG071 and a platform for other PDE4 modulators with therapeutic applications in Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. deCODE is a global leader in human genetics, and has identified key... (PR Newswire)
How Dengue Virus Matures, Becomes Infectious Apr 1, 2008
31, 2008) Biologists at Purdue University have determined why dengue virus particles undergo structural changes as they mature in host cells and how the changes are critical for enabling the virus to infect new host cells. The findings pertain to all viruses in the family of flaviviruses, which includes a number of dangerous insect-borne diseases such as dengue, West Nile, yellow fever and St. Louis encephalitis. (Science Daily)
Ono and Evotec AG Announce Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Agreement Mar 27, 2008
The platform integrates, among other things, protein X-ray crystallography, structural biology, biochemical, and NMR based fragment screening in combination with its high-quality fragment libraries. Ono will have worldwide rights to develop and sell a pharmaceutical product containing the compound discovered through the collaboration. (JCN Network, Japan)
Birth On An Enzyme: Scientists Succeed In Designing Artificial Enzymes That Also Undergo 'Evolution In A Test Tube' Mar 26, 2008
Orly Dym and Shira Albeck of the Weizmann Institute s Structural Biology Department solved the structure of one of the final contestants, and confirmed that the enzymes created were almost identical to the predicted computational design. But the efficiency of the new enzymes could not compare to that of naturally-occurring enzymes that have evolved over millions of years. (Science Daily)
Tuberculosis Bacterium Is Double-protected, 3-D Images Show Mar 24, 2008
The Department for Molecular Structural Biology, headed by Professor Wolfgang Baumeister, and in this case especially J. rgen Plitzko, pioneers development and research of cryo-electron tomography, which is a valuable technique to investigate structures of intact cells in a close-to-life state. (Science Daily)
Icagen and Pfizer Form Collaboration With Birkbeck, University of London to Elucidate Channel Structure Mar 20, 2008
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., March 20, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Icagen, Inc. (NasdaqGM: - ) today announced that, together with Pfizer, it has entered into a collaboration with the laboratory of Professor B. A. Wallace at Birkbeck, University of London, to study the structural biology of sodium channels ... Professor Wallace is one of the world leaders in the structural biology of ion channels and has particular expertise in structural studies of sodium channels, a gene family that forms the... (Primezone Releases)
Dynamic Visualization Made Of Simplest Circadian Clock Mar 19, 2008
The researchers include Shuji Akiyama, PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, 4-1-8 Honcho, Kawaguchi, Saitama, Japan; RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Harima Institute; Atsushi Nohara, Division of Biological Science, Graduate School of Science, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan; Kazuki Ito, RIKEN SPring-8 Center, Harima Institute; and Yuichiro Maeda, ERATO Actin Filament Dynamics Project, Japan Science and Technology Agency, c/o RIKEN, Harima SPring-8 Center, Structural Biology... (Science Daily)
Cytopia Nominates JAK2 Clinical Candidate for Myeloproliferative Disorders Mar 18, 2008
It has been derived from Cytopia's knowledge of basic biology of JAK kinases, a strong structural biology program that has delivered multiple co-crystal structures of JAK2 complexed with inhibitors, and the subsequent development of an extensive chemical library of JAK2 inhibitors through an integrated computational and medicinal chemistry platform. Cytopia is developing a suite of JAK2 inhibitors for multiple indications including the treatment of certain cancers, particularly lymphomas and... (PR Newswire)
Autism: Learning and living with the unknown Mar 18, 2008
crush720 wrote on Mar 16, 2008 4:11 PM:" It is highly irresponsible to publish a story like this one. Autism is a hereditary brain disorder and symptoms usually begin before the age of three. There is absolutely no scientific proof that vaccines are in any way shape or form responsible for autism. Vaccines are inactive viral proteins that stimulate the immune system to mount a response. In this way the body can 'remember' this response and create the appropriate antibodies when challenged.... (Helena Independent Record, MT)
New chemical can kill latent tuberculosis bacteria Mar 15, 2008
Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research in areas such as stem cells, genetics and gene therapy, geriatrics, neuroscience, structural biology, cardiovascular medicine, transplantation medicine, infectious disease, obesity, cancer, psychiatry and public health -- and continue to delve ever deeper into the molecular basis of disease in an effort to unlock the mysteries of the human body in health and sickness ... deCODE chemistry, along with... (EurekAlert!)
Faculty Position Mar 7, 2008
Areas of particular interests include structural biology, neuroscience and cell biology, computational biology, systems biology, microbial pathogenesis, molecular, cellular and nanobioengineering, and blood diseases. The Schools of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Behavioral and Brain Science, and Engineering and Computer Science are expanding, with an emphasis on recruiting faculty who can foster interdisciplinary interactions. (Nature News Service)
GANDivAWeb: A Web Server for detecting early folding units ('foldons') from protein 3D structures Mar 7, 2008
BMC Structural Biology 2008, 8:15doi:10. 1186/1472-6807-8-15. (BioMed Central)
3D Virus Image, At Highest Resolution Ever Mar 6, 2008
"This is one of the first projects to refine the technique to the point of near atomic-level resolution," said Jiang, who also is a member of Purdue's structural biology group ... " Cryo-EM requires high-end electron microscopes and powerful computing resources. The research team used the Baylor College of Medicine's cryoelectron microscope. It is expected that Purdue will install a state-of-the-art cryoelectron microscope in 2009. In 2006 Purdue received a 2 million grant from the National... (Science Daily)
Bacteria Use 'Invisibility Cloak' To Hide Feb 24, 2008
ller (Chemistry and York Structural Biology Laboratory). The team used the Centre for Magnetic Resonance based in the Department of Chemistry, and the Technology Facility in the Department of Biology. (Science Daily)
Enzyme Structure Reveals New Drug Targets For Cancer And Other Diseases Feb 19, 2008
"This work illustrates how enzymology and structural biology can combine to yield both fundamental and practical insights about an important biomedical problem. The studies provide a new framework for understanding p300/CBP in health and disease," said Jeremy M. Berg, NIGMS Director. The research appears in the Feb. 14, 2008, issue of the journal Nature. (Science Daily)
* Team finds way to 'disarm' common hospital superbug Feb 16, 2008
"The University of Illinois took care of the chemistry component, UCSD researchers did the bioessays while the team at the Institute of Biological Chemistry at Academia Sinica did the structural biology," Liu said. "We were responsible for determining the 3D structure of the relevant proteins and seeing how it all fit together." This story has been viewed 894 times. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Breakthrough technologies for 2008 and beyond Jan 24, 2008
Intersecting advances in cloning, genetics, instrumentation, and molecular and structural biology have allowed researchers to see beyond the exterior morphology of cells and tap their component molecules for solutions. That spells breakthrough developments in another medical sector: the development and production of new vaccines. (Globe and Mail)
Argonne's Blue Gene/P to Host Large Cadre of INCITE Researchers Jan 18, 2008
Igor Tsigelny of the University of California-San Diego wrote in a SciDAC Review article about his DOE-supported work that: "Using the IBM Blue Gene's considerable computer simulation power, researchers have made major strides in evaluating the molecular and environmental features that led to the clinical diagnosis of Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia, as well as to strategies for pharmaceutical intervention and amelioration of Parkinson's disease. Their findings also have broad... (PR Newswire)
Important Clue To The Cause Of Parkinson's Disease Discovered Jan 7, 2008
"It is widely suspected that accumulation of a particular protein, known as alpha-synuclein, within affected nerve cells of Parkinson's disease patients contributes to the death of these cells," says Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo, senior author of the article and associate professor of anatomy & structural biology at Einstein. Dr. Cuervo previously showed that mutant forms of alpha-synuclein--found in the five to 10 percent of patients who have familial Parkinson's disease--are poorly digested via... (Science Daily)
Postdoctoral positions - Computational Biophysics/Biochemistry Jan 4, 2008
Ideal candidates would have a strong background in computational or theoretical chemistry, biophysics, biochemistry, structural biology or related disciplines. Experience in molecular modeling and simulation of biological systems, advanced programming skills (C, Fortran, Perl), familiarity with UNIX/Linux operating system, and an interest in developing new methodologies are highly desirable but not necessary. (Nature News Service)
Fungus Crystal Illuminates How Life Began Jan 3, 2008
Golden is a member of the Markey Center for Structural Biology and Purdue Cancer Center. The Markey Center will be housed in the Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology when it's completed on the West Lafayette campus. (Science Daily)
Molecular Biochemistry & Chemical Biology Dec 29, 2007
Core research areas covered by this programme include: chemical biology, glycobiology, bioinorganic chemistry, biophysics, molecular enzymology, structural biology, protein structure/function relationships, membrane proteins, bionanotechnology molecular microbiology, and bioinformatics & e-science as applied to molecular biochemistry ... Structural Biology & Biophysics ... H Bayley: Ion channels, biosensors, membrane proteins, nanotechnology, single-molecule techniquesP Biggin: Computational... (Nature News Service)
New Gene Therapy Heals Growth Deficiency Disorder In Live Animal Dec 21, 2007
A new study published in the February issue of Nature Structural Biology reports the creation. (Jul. (Science Daily)
Snapshot Clarifies How Materials Enter Cells Dec 2, 2007
"By understanding the mechanisms of this process, researchers may be able to design more effective treatments for diseases that involve this group of proteins, such as cancer and cystic fibrosis," said Chen, who also is a member of Purdue's structural biology group within the College of Science. "With this knowledge, researchers may be able to inhibit or activate this mechanism, depending on what is needed to counteract the disease. For instance, many cancer cells are resistant to drug... (Science Daily)
Toxin From Coral-reef Bacteria Could Become Next-generation Cancer Drug Nov 30, 2007
Smith is director of LSI's Center for Structural Biology. Gerwick's team made the original discovery of curacin A and provided the cyanobacterial DNA for this study. (Science Daily)
Arterial vascular disease underdiagnosed, undertreated in older US women Nov 22, 2007
Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research in such areas as stem cells, genetics and gene therapy, geriatrics, neuroscience, structural biology, cardiovascular medicine, AIDS, obesity, cancer, psychiatry and public healthand continue to delve ever deeper into the molecular basis of disease in an effort to unlock the mysteries behind the human body and the malfunctions that result in serious medical disorders. The Medical Collegein its... (EurekAlert!)
Stanford Nobel Prize winner Arthur Kornberg dies Oct 29, 2007
Check out our new online sports site. Game scores, calendars, videos and more. (Palo Alto Online, CA)
Precise Pictures Of Cell Target For Drugs Made Oct 29, 2007
A human G protein-coupled receptor is "literally Mount Everest of membrane structural biology," he said, and seeing it in such rich detail is tantamount to reaching its summit ... Additional Stanford researchers who contributed to the Science Express articles are: Soren Rasmussen, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in molecular and cellular physiology; Foon Sun Thian, a life science technician in molecular and cellular physiology; Tong Sun Kobilka, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in molecular and cellular... (Science Daily)
The shape of protein structures to come Oct 17, 2007
This is an important breakthrough but the field of structural biology is poorly represented with mention to just the technique of X-ray crystallography as a means to experimentally determine high resolution structures of proteins. For a protein of 112 aa NMR is just as good. (Nature News Service)
First high-res 3D structures of mammalian HSP90 protein solved Oct 13, 2007
In addition to aiding our understanding of the fundamental biology of chaperone-mediated protein folding, this work lays the foundation for the design of drugs that specifically target individual members of the hsp90 family Gewirth, who also holds a post as an associate professor in the Structural Biology department of the University at Buffalo which is housed at the Hauptman-Woodward Medical Research Institute, said ... In addition to his position as an HWI senior research scientist, Gewirth... (EurekAlert!)
Antibody-protein interactions: benchmark datasets and prediction tools evaluation Oct 3, 2007
BMC Structural Biology 2007, 7:64doi:10. 1186/1472-6807-7-64. (BioMed Central)
Lab-on-chip testing for 'bird flu' developed by Singapore scientists Sep 25, 2007
It is a world-class research institute in biomedical sciences with core strengths in cell cycle, cell signaling, cell death, cell motility, protein trafficking, developmental biology, genomics, structural biology, and infectious diseases. Its achievements include leading an international consortium that successfully sequenced the pufferfish (Fugu) genome. (EurekAlert!)
U.Va. appoints expert in effort to enhance scientific research Sep 24, 2007
Yeager's expertise in the area of structural biology can be applied to the cure of diseases as well as research in other areas, such as the development of medical tools, Gomez said. Yeager said he is honored to work at the University. (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
Research Investigator Sep 23, 2007
You are a highly-motivated team player who has a good track record in biological chemistry, specifically in the areas of enzymology and structural biology and will lead one of the laboratories within the Dengue Unit ... Expertise in enzymology and structural biology is essential while experience in managing technical staff would be advantageous. (Nature News Service)
New mechanism discovered for DNA recombination and repair Sep 12, 2007
The team has recently published two structural biology articles related to RecA family recombinases. One paper is to be published in the online, open-access journal PLoS ONE on September 12, 2007 and the other has been already published in the Nucleic Acids Research on Feb. 28, 2007. (EurekAlert!)
Short-term T-bill rates fall Sep 5, 2007
Wilson previously was vice president of structural biology and vice president of business development. Stem cell board adds Salk COO. (San Diego Union-Tribune -- Business)
Postdoctoral Fellowship in Structural Biology Aug 12, 2007
(see also ) The EMBL Grenoble Outstation offers a challenging and stimulating atmosphere and is located at one of Europe's most vibrant structural biology communities including the European Synchroton Radiation Facility (ESRF), the Laue Langevin Institute (ILL) and the Structural Biology Institute (IBS). The Partnership for Structural Biology () gives access to all the major structural biology techniques (synchrotron X-ray and neutron crystallography and small angle scattering, cryo-EM,... (Nature News Service)
Full Professor and Co-Director Aug 10, 2007
Areas such as thiol-based redox signaling and gene regulation, redox control of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer, biochemistry of redox-active trace elements, structural biology, proteomics/metabolomics, microbial pathogenesis and redox homeostasis are all current targets of investigation. The Center also operates mass-spectrometry and spectroscopy core research facilities. (Nature News Service)
Scientific Leadership Fellows Aug 9, 2007
The Department has developed strong programmes in molecular and cell biology, structural biology, genetics and genomic medicine, proteomics, large-scale epidemiology and clinical trials and experimental medicine ... Structural Biology Division. (Nature News Service)
Scientists Discover The Dynamics Of Transcription In Living Mammalian Cells Aug 8, 2007
The researchers used pioneering microscopy techniques developed by Dr. Robert Singer, co-chair of anatomy & structural biology at Einstein and senior author of the study, which appears in the August issue of Nature Structural & Molecular Biology. The study focused on RNA polymerase II--the enzyme responsible for transcription. (Science Daily)
Charlie Rose Science Series Episode #7 - July 24, 2007 Jul 24, 2007
A panel of leading experts will address factors which contribute to high infection rates, current treatment and prevention strategies, and new medical breakthroughs in fighting HIV/AIDS. WHO: Guests will include: - Seth Berkley, MD, President and Founder of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) - Scott Hammer, MD, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center - Peter Kwong, PhD, Chief of Structural Biology Section, Vaccine Research Center at... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Charlie Rose Science Series Features Discussion on HIV/AIDS Jul 24, 2007
Charlie's special guests will include: Seth Berkley, MD, President and Founder of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative; Scott Hammer, MD, Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center; Peter Kwong, PhD, Chief of Structural Biology Section, Vaccine Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health; Judy Lieberman, MD, PhD, Director, Division of AIDS at Harvard Medical School and Senior Investigator at the CBR Institute for Biomedical Research.... (Yahoo! Wire -- Entertainment News)
Nicotine rush hinges on sugar in neurons Jul 23, 2007
When nicotine binds to a neuron, how does the cell know to send the signal that announces a smokers high" As with other questions involving good sensations, the answer appears to be sugar. A University of Southern California study appearing with a commentary in Nature Neuroscience online proposes a role for sugar as the hinge that opens a gate in the cell membrane and brings news of nicotines arrival. Structural biologist Raymond Stevens of The Scripps Research Institute, who was not involved... (EurekAlert!)
Local Alzheimer's researcher recognized nationally for work Jul 19, 2007
He is also an assistant professor in the department of cellular and structural biology in the Health Science Center's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. Ran will receive his recognition from the Gerontological Society of America during the organization's 60th Annual Scientific Meeting on Nov. 16-20 in San Francisco. (San Antonio Business Journal, TX)
Investigating Life In Extreme Environments Report Gives Hints On Facts Of Life Jul 10, 2007
Foster the use of Molecular Structural Biology and Genomics when considering life processes in extreme environments. Cross-cutting Technology Recommendations. (Science Daily)
YM BioSciences announces preclinical data confirming nimotuzumab binds to the EGF receptor and potentiates radiotherapy Jul 9, 2007
In addition, YM BioSciences announced that a paper on the structure of nimotuzumab entitled 'Modeling the interaction between the anti-tumor antibody h-R3 and its target, the epidermal growth factor receptor' was presented at the 11th annual meeting of the SBNet (Structural Biology Network), held on June 15-18, 2007 in Tallberg, Sweden. The paper demonstrated that nimotuzumab specifically competes with cetuximab for binding to the EGF receptor. (PR Newswire)
NIEHS researchers identify enzyme critical in DNA replication Jul 6, 2007
Amazingly, more than a half century after Watson and Crick first described the DNA double helix, it had remained unclear which of these many DNA polymerases in higher organisms is actually responsible for first replicating the leading strand during nuclear genome duplication, said Kunkel, author and Chief, Laboratory of Structural Biology at NIEHS.. Kunkel explained that the general strategy used in the study can now be applied to investigate other reactions that are critical for genome... (EurekAlert!)
Superbug Antibiotic Defence Uncovered Jul 3, 2007
Specifically, we determined the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme and visualized how it interacts with Synercid, said Dr. Berghuis, Canada Research Chair in Structural Biology. This reveals for the first time how Staph aureus can detoxify quinupristin, one of the component drugs of Synercid. (Science Daily)
Pairing Nanoparticles With Proteins: Engineering Molecules For Energy Conversion, Drug Delivery, And Medical Imaging Jun 28, 2007
Constructing such regular arrays of biomolecules might help develop high efficiency electrodes for biofuels or improve the resolution of cryo-electron microscopy in structural biology ... "Our study demonstrates that nanoparticles are appealing templates for assembling functional biomolecules with extensive potential impact across the fields of energy conversion, structural biology, drug delivery, and medical imaging," said lead author Minghui Hu, a postdoctoral student working with James... (Science Daily)
Melbourne Dementia Discovery Chosen For Synchrotron Testing Jun 22, 2007
Prof Michael Parker, an international leader in structural biology and Australian Research Council Federation Fellow at St Vincent's Institute, was invited to submit projects for the Australian Synchrotron and chose his collaboration project with Dr Chai as one of the first proteins to be analysed at the new facility. For the past few months, Prof Parker's team have been preparing a crystal form of IRAP bound to one of the promising compounds so it can be tested at the Australian Synchrotron. (Science Daily)
HU Ph.D. student wins award for 'natural protection' to reduce spread of Alzheimer's disease Jun 12, 2007
Hermona Soreq and the head of the Wolfson Center for Applied Structural Biology, Prof. Oded Livnah, has been named one of the winners of this years Kaye Innovation Awards, which were presented on June 6 during the 70th meeting of the Hebrew University Board of Governors. (EurekAlert!)
Green light for flash fantastic Jun 6, 2007
"Crystallisation is actually impossible for a vast class of proteins, notably cell membrane proteins. That's a major roadblock in structural biology that the XFEL will hopefully overcome.". Lighting up the future. (BBC News -- Science)
Rapid syphilis testing in Haiti will prevent congenital disease and stillbirths May 29, 2007
Physicians and scientists of Weill Cornell Medical College are engaged in cutting-edge research in such areas as stem cells, genetics and gene therapy, geriatrics, neuroscience, public health, structural biology, cardiovascular medicine, AIDS, obesity, cancer and psychiatry -- and continue to delve ever deeper into the molecular basis of disease in an effort to unlock the mysteries behind the human body and the malfunctions that result in serious medical disorders. Weill Cornell Medical College... (EurekAlert!)
Building structures from scratch May 9, 2007
Predicting 3-dimensional protein structures from amino-acid sequences is an important unsolved problem in computational structural biology. The problem becomes relatively easier if close homologous proteins have been solved, as high-resolution models can be built by aligning target sequences to the solved homologous structures. (BioMed Central)
Structural Biology Breakthrough: New Way To Analyze Moving Parts Of Large Proteins May 2, 2007
Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine (BCM) and Rice University have discovered a new way to analyze the moving parts of large proteins -- a breakthrough that will make it easier for structural biologists to classify and scrutinize the active sites of proteins implicated in cancer and other diseases. BCM student Xiaorui Chen, a recent graduate of Tsinghua University in China, was instrumental in the new discovery that allows scientists to analyze the moving parts of large proteins. (Science Daily)
BCM, Rice make major advance in structural biology May 1, 2007
Public release date: 30-Apr-2007. Noted expert: advance one of the field's most significant in two decades. (EurekAlert!)
deCODE Launches deCODE T2(TM), a Novel DNA-based Test for Assessing Inherited Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Apr 16, 2007
deCODE is also leveraging its expertise in human genetics and integrated drug discovery and development capabilities to offer innovative products and services in DNA-based diagnostics, bioinformatics, genotyping, structural biology, drug discovery and clinical development. deCODE is delivering on the promise of the new genetics. (PR Newswire)
News tips from the Journal of Biological Chemistry Apr 11, 2007
Article: Molecular Framework for the Activation of RNA-Dependent Protein Kinase by Sean A. McKenna, Darrin A. Lindhout, Insil Kim, Corey W. Liu, Vladimir M. Gelev, Gerhard Wagner, and Joseph D. Puglisi MEDIA CONTACT: Joseph D. Puglisi, Department of Structural Biology and Stanford Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA; tel: 650-498-4397; e-mail. Cardiac Stem Cells Not Affected by Acute Heart Failure. (EurekAlert!)
Harvard Biologist Named Recipient of UCSD/Merck Life Sciences Award UCSD, Mar. 27 Mar 28, 2007
Harrison, who will be honored in the presence of the world's foremost experts in protein research, has made important contributions to structural biology, most notably by determining and analyzing the structures of viruses and viral proteins, by crystallographic analysis of protein/DNA complexes, and by structural studies of protein-kinase switching mechanisms. He obtained both his B.A. in 1963 and his Ph. (University of California Newswire, CA)
One membrane, many frequencies Mar 28, 2007
Research by Dr. Itay Rousso of the Weizmann Institutes Structural Biology Department, which recently appeared in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), suggests that a thin structure in the inner ear called the tectorial membrane responds to different frequencies. This membrane communicates between the outer hair cells (which amplify sound in the form of mechanical vibrations) and the inner hair cells (which convert these mechanical vibrations to electrical signals and pass... (EurekAlert!)
Ring-around-the-cell Mar 28, 2007
Lia Addadi of the Structural Biology Department, together with doctoral students Chen Luxenburg and Dafna Geblinger, and with the assistance of Dr. Eugenia Klein (electron microscopy unit) and Prof. Dorit Hanein and Karen Anderson of the Burnham Institute, San Diego, applied two different observation methods to samples of stripped-down, polarized osteoclasts: electron microscope imaging that allowed them to see fine details of the ring structure, and a light microscope method in which specific... (EurekAlert!)
Simulated populations used to probe gene mapping Mar 24, 2007
The research was also supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Keck Center for Computational and Structural Biology, the National Cancer Institute, the Polish Committee for Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation, Intel and HP.. . (EurekAlert!)
