#An open-source data platform for researchers studying archaea

“#An open-source data platform for researchers studying archaea” Biologists found that the archaea Haloferax volcanii grows in a honeycomb-like fashion under specialized conditions. They hope to gain more insights into the microbes through a new initiative, the Archaeal Proteome Project. Credit: Laboratory of Mecky Pohlschroder Bioinformatics and big data analyses can reap great rewards for…

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#Label-free imaging helps predict reproductive outcomes

“#Label-free imaging helps predict reproductive outcomes” Phase imaging with computational specificity applies artificial intelligence to label-free spatial light interference microscopy data to map subcellular compartments, as illustrated. Credit: Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology and the Department of Animal Sciences have collaborated to develop…

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#Advanced Cryo-EM reveals viral RNA replication complex structure in stunning detail

“#Advanced Cryo-EM reveals viral RNA replication complex structure in stunning detail” Cryo-EM imaging reveals high-resolution side and top views of the viral RNA replication “crown” complex structure. Credit: Paul Ahlquist, Morgridge Institute for Research For the first time, scientists at the Morgridge Institute for Research have generated near atomic resolution images of a major viral…

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#Decoding the language of cellular messaging

“#Decoding the language of cellular messaging” Cross-sections of a fruit fly embryo that has been stained with antibodies that recognize the FGF Pyramus (red), its receptor Heartless (green), and a marker of cell membranes (blue). Credit: Jingjing Sun Before the days of rote texting and email, if you wanted to communicate with a friend you…

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#Sperm discovery reveals clue to genetic ‘immortality’

“#Sperm discovery reveals clue to genetic ‘immortality’” Machinery of the jumping gene LINE1 (red) mounting an attack on the DNA (blue) of germ cells Credit: Professor Dónal O’Carroll New insights into an elusive process that protects developing sperm cells from damage in growing embryos, sheds light on how genetic information passes down, uninterrupted, through generations….

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#Megaphages harbor mini-Cas proteins ideal for gene editing

“#Megaphages harbor mini-Cas proteins ideal for gene editing” A megaphage (left), a member of a bacteriophage family Biggiephage, injects its DNA — including genes for CasΦ (red) — into bacterial cells to turn the bacteria against the phage’s competitor (top). The reddish Pac-Man-like figures are CasΦ proteins, enzymes that cut up viral DNA. The genome…

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#Researchers discover 2 paths of aging and new insights on promoting healthspan

“#Researchers discover 2 paths of aging and new insights on promoting healthspan” UC San Diego biologists and bioengineers identified a master aging circuit that opens the door to genetically engineered prolonged life. Credit: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications Molecular biologists and bioengineers at the University of California San Diego have unraveled key mechanisms behind the…

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#Synthetic mRNAs modified with sulfur atoms boost efficient protein synthesis

“#Synthetic mRNAs modified with sulfur atoms boost efficient protein synthesis” Phosphorothioate modification of mRNA increases the rate of translation initiation and the molecular designs for a high translation efficiency were optimized. This result provides a useful molecular design guideline for improving the translation quantity by chemical modification of mRNA. Credit: Nagoya University Since mRNAs play…

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