Virology is the scientific study of viruses, their structure, function, evolution, and interactions with host organisms. Viruses are microscopic infectious agents that can infect a wide range of living organisms, from bacteria and archaea to plants, animals, and humans. They are unique entities that straddle the boundary between living and non-living, as they require host … Read more
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have gained new insights in the field of high-pressure carbon chemistry: They synthesized two new carbides—compounds of carbon and another chemical element—with unique structures. The results may provide an unexpected explanation of the wide spread of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the universe. The research is published in the journal Nature Communications. Carbides … Read more
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have discovered profound similarities and surprising differences between humans and insects in the production of the critical light-absorbing molecule of the retina, 11-cis-retinal, also known as the “visual chromophore.” The findings deepen understanding of how mutations in the RPE65 enzyme cause retinal diseases, especially Leber congenital amaurosis, a … Read more
University of Michigan researchers are celebrating their discovery of a new plant biochemistry and its unusual ability to form cyclic peptides—molecules that hold promise in pharmaceuticals as they can bind to challenging drug targets. Cyclic peptides are an emerging and promising area of drug research. The new study, led by U-M College of Pharmacy researchers … Read more
Organic chemistry is the branch of chemistry that deals with the study of carbon-containing compounds. It is a vast and diverse field with applications ranging from pharmaceuticals and materials science to agriculture and environmental science. The study of organic chemistry dates back centuries, with significant advancements made in understanding the structure, properties, and reactions of … Read more
The electromagnetic spectrum is a continuum of all electromagnetic waves, arranged according to their frequencies or wavelengths. It encompasses a vast range of phenomena, from the familiar visible light to the more exotic realms of radio waves, microwaves, infrared radiation, ultraviolet light, X-rays, and gamma rays. This spectrum serves as a foundational concept in physics … Read more
Billions of years ago, as simple lifeforms evolved toward complexity, a selfish genetic entity emerged, acting as a genome invader. Utilizing a copy-and-paste mechanism, this intrusive piece of code replicated relentlessly, embedding itself across various genomes. Over time, this genetic trespasser, known as LINE-1, permeated all eukaryotic organisms, including humans, contributing to about one-third of … Read more
Molecular biology is a branch of biology that explores the structure, function, and interactions of molecules that make up the essential components of living organisms. It delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes, including DNA replication, transcription, translation, and cellular signaling. At its core, molecular biology seeks to understand the molecular basis of … Read more
Biochemistry is a branch of science that explores the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. Combining principles from biology and chemistry, biochemistry seeks to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the structure, function, and regulation of biological molecules. From the intricate dance of enzymes and metabolic pathways to the decoding of genetic information … Read more
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary field that merges principles from physics and biology to investigate the physical mechanisms underlying biological processes. This dynamic branch of science employs quantitative and analytical approaches to unravel the mysteries of life, exploring how physical forces, energy, and structure govern the behavior of biological systems. Biophysics spans a wide range of … Read more
Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) was a French chemist and microbiologist renowned for his groundbreaking contributions to the fields of microbiology and immunology. Widely considered one of the founders of modern microbiology, Pasteur’s discoveries include the principles of vaccination, pasteurization, and the germ theory of disease. His work revolutionized medicine, leading to significant advancements in preventing and … Read more
Microorganism-derived enzymes exhibit the potential to produce hydrogen (H2) for biobased H2 technologies. However, efficiency in hydrogen production faces challenges, including the inhibitory effects of naturally occurring formaldehyde on the highly efficient [FeFe] hydrogenase. Researchers from Ruhr University Bochum’s Photobiotechnology workgroup in Germany have successfully unraveled and mitigated this limiting mechanism, presenting their findings in … Read more
Prolonged exposure of cells to stress-inducing factors, like pathogens, can disrupt an organism’s normal functions. Cells, in response, have evolved various mechanisms to combat stress, one of which is the inflammatory response. Although inflammation is a crucial defense mechanism, an excessive inflammatory reaction can harm cell and organ functions. This phenomenon is exemplified in cytokine … Read more
Researchers from RIKEN have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of crystallography, demonstrating that extremely intense X-ray pulses can accurately determine the positions of hydrogen atoms in small organic crystals. This achievement holds significant implications for various areas such as drug discovery and materials research. X-ray diffraction has been the preferred method for determining … Read more
A recent study published in the journal Angewandte Chemie has demonstrated a novel method for determining the structure of Levocetirizine, a pharmaceutical compound used to treat allergies. Traditionally, X-ray crystallography has been the standard technique for determining molecular structures, but this method requires large, well-diffracting single crystals, which are often difficult to obtain. The research … Read more