Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common health problem that can have serious consequences – but doctors often overlook it

The symptoms of B12 deficiency resemble a lot of other health problems, putting millions of Americans at risk of a misdiagnosis.

Diane Cress, Associate Professor of Nutrition and Food Science, Wayne State University • conversation
Nov. 23, 2022 ~9 min

Scientists uncovered the structure of the key protein for a future hepatitis C vaccine – here's how they did it

Using a Nobel Prize-winning technique called cryo-EM, researchers were able to identify potential areas on the hepatitis C virus that a vaccine could target.

Alba Torrents de la Peña, Postdoctoral Fellow in Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, The Scripps Research Institute • conversation
Nov. 22, 2022 ~7 min


Slow-moving shell of water can make Parkinson’s proteins ‘stickier’

Water – which makes up the majority of every cell in the body – plays a key role in how proteins, including those associated with Parkinson’s disease, fold,

Cambridge University News • cambridge
Nov. 15, 2022 ~6 min

Nanosensors target enzymes to monitor and study cancer

By analyzing enzyme activity at the organism, tissue, and cellular scales, new sensors could provide new tools to clinicians and cancer researchers.

Bendta Schroeder | Erika Reinfeld | Koch Institute • mit
Nov. 2, 2022 ~8 min

Water was both essential and a barrier to early life on Earth – microdroplets are one potential solution to this paradox

The chemical reaction that forms essential biomolecules like proteins and DNA normally doesn’t occur in the presence of water. Microdroplets provide a unique environment that make it possible.

Nicolás M. Morato, PhD Candidate in Chemistry, Purdue University • conversation
Nov. 2, 2022 ~8 min

Glycan molecules are vital to SARS-CoV-2 function

"...specific N-glycans seem to regulate the development and functional maturation of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein."

Charlotte Hsu-Buffalo • futurity
Nov. 1, 2022 ~6 min

A “door” into the mitochondrial membrane

Study finds the protein MTCH2 is responsible for shuttling various other proteins into the membrane of mitochondria. The finding could have implications for cancer treatments and MTCH2-linked conditions.

Eva Frederick | Whitehead Institute • mit
Oct. 25, 2022 ~7 min

Tweak could lead to COVID vax that fights new variants

The new design "could be used not just for SARS-CoV-2 and other related viruses, but also for other clinically important pathogenic viruses."

Zachary Sweger-Penn State • futurity
Oct. 24, 2022 ~7 min


New protein boosts T cells to keep immune system in balance

Researchers have designed a protein that could keep the immune system in balance and prevent disease like arthritis and multiple sclerosis.

Lisa Ercolano-Johns Hopkins • futurity
Oct. 24, 2022 ~4 min

Protein enters mouse brain, flips switch, and vanishes

Researchers report a way to deliver a protein to the brain quickly, effectively, and briefly. The protein degrades naturally after performing its task.

Olga Kuchment-Texas AM • futurity
Oct. 20, 2022 ~6 min

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