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New probes quantify folded and misfolded protein levels in cells
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have invented small-molecule folding probes that enable them to quantify functional, normally folded and disease-associated misfolded conformations (shapes) of a protein-of-interest in cells under different conditions.
March 4, 2014 Read more
World's largest antibody search engine
An internet service which allows scientists to find antibodies for use in their research is now the largest antibody search engine in a $2billion industry, and ranked number one by Google.
February 28, 2014 Read more
A bird's eye view of cellular RNAs (w/video)
Researchers have developed a new method that allows scientists to pinpoint thousands of mRNAs and other types of RNAs at once in intact cells - all while determining the sequence of letters, or bases, that identify them and reveal what they do.
February 27, 2014 Read more
Researchers X-ray living cancer cells
At Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron's PETRA III research light source, scientists have carried out the first studies of living biological cells using high-energy X-rays. The new method for the first time enables us to investigate the internal structures of living cells in their natural environment using hard X-rays.
February 27, 2014 Read more
Peptides imaged in unprecedented detail
Chemists from Radboud University Nijmegen and the Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM) have succeeded in producing detailed 3D structures of selected peptides - the building blocks of proteins.
February 27, 2014 Read more
3D microgels 'on-demand' offer new potential for cell research
Stars, diamonds, circles. Rather than your average bowl of Lucky Charms, these are three-dimensional cell cultures generated by an exciting new digital microfluidics platform.
February 26, 2014 Read more
Artificial muscles that do the twist
Researchers demonstrate a new material's potential by using it to replicate the biological motion of the heart, and also developed a matching 3D computer model of it.
February 26, 2014 Read more
Watching how the brain works
For the first time, a group of scientists has been able to observe intact interactions between proteins, directly in the brain of a live animal.
February 24, 2014 Read more
Scientists transform skin cells into functioning liver cells
Scientists have made an important breakthrough: they have discovered a way to transform skin cells into mature, fully functioning liver cells that flourish on their own, even after being transplanted into laboratory animals modified to mimic liver failure.
February 23, 2014 Read more
Scientists create powerful artificial muscle with fishing line
An international team led by The University of Texas at Dallas has discovered that ordinary fishing line and sewing thread can be cheaply converted to powerful artificial muscles.
February 20, 2014 Read more
An essential step toward printing living tissues (w/video)
A new bioprinting method developed at the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University and the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences creates intricately patterned 3-D tissue constructs with multiple types of cells and tiny blood vessels. The work represents a major step toward a longstanding goal of tissue engineers: creating human tissue constructs realistic enough to test drug safety and effectiveness.
February 19, 2014 Read more
Switching tumour fighters on and off
Biochemists from Konstanz develop genetic switch to control cancer-fighting viruses.
February 19, 2014 Read more
Artificial cells and salad dressing
Researchers have made important discoveries regarding the behavior of a synthetic molecular oscillator, which could help create artificial cells.
February 18, 2014 Read more
Research team establishes benchmark set of human genotypes for sequencing
Refining genomic data may help researchers gain traction against human disease.
February 18, 2014 Read more
Single chip device to provide real-time 3-D images from inside the heart and blood vessels
Researchers have developed the technology for a catheter-based device that would provide forward-looking, real-time, three-dimensional imaging from inside the heart, coronary arteries and peripheral blood vessels.
February 18, 2014 Read more
Bacteria-filled liquid crystals could improve biosensing
Plop living, swimming bacteria into a novel water-based, nontoxic liquid crystal and a new physics takes over. The dynamic interaction of the bacteria with the liquid crystal creates a novel form of soft matter: living liquid crystal.
February 18, 2014 Read more
Research reveals structure of key CRISPR complex
Work reveals how a genome-editing tool works to correct errors in the genetic code.
February 14, 2014 Read more
Microrobotic technique combines 3D printing and tissue engineering
Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) and Carnegie Mellon University have introduced a unique micro-robotic technique to assemble the components of complex materials, the foundation of tissue engineering and 3D printing.
February 12, 2014 Read more