Treatment with a peptide that mimics the naturally occurring protein GIV prevents immune overreaction, supports a mechanism critical for survival in mouse models of sepsis and colitis. The immune response to infections is a delicate balance. We need just enough action to clear away the offending bacteria or viruses, but not so much that our own bodies suffer collateral damage. Macrophages are immune cells at the front line, detecting pathogens and kicking off an inflammatory response when needed. Understanding how…

Researchers unravel the healing mechanisms of extracellular vesicles and demonstrate their healing power on a heart-on-a-chip. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) — nanometer sized messengers that travel between cells to deliver cues and cargo — are promising tools for the next generation of therapies for everything from autoimmune and neurodegenerative diseases to cancer and tissue injury. EVs derived from stem cells have already been shown to help heart cells recover after a heart attack, but exactly how they help and whether the…

The most important pathogenicity factors of the gastric pathogen Helicobacter pylori are centrally regulated by a small RNA molecule, NikS. And this was not the only surprise that NikS provided. More than half of the world’s population carries the bacterium Helicobacter pylori in their stomach mucosa. It often causes no problems throughout life, but sometimes it can cause inflammation, and in some cases, it can even lead to the development of stomach cancer. Helicobacter pylori uses several “virulence” factors that…

LIKAT Chemists Reveal the Business Secret of a Catalyst Chemists at the Leibniz Institute for Catalysis in Rostock were able to observe the molecular functioning of the catalyst in a redox reaction and identify important intermediate steps. For this purpose, they coupled, for the first time worldwide, four highly modern measuring methods that work in different wavelength ranges: with infrared, UV and X-ray radiation as well as with microwaves in the magnetic field. In this way, they uncovered the complete…

DSMZ scientist offers new insights into the molecular processes of antibiotic-producing Streptomyces (Braunschweig, 15th October 2020): Researchers led by Prof. Yvonne Mast of the Leibniz-Institute DSZM – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, have for the first time managed to partially decipher the autoregulation of the biosynthesis of pristinamycin. This antibiotic is used as emergency drug against antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. The researchers recently published their findings in the renowned journal Frontiers in Microbiology (https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.580990). Regulation…

A research group from Würzburg has now been able to clarify the long-standing question of how the protein complex CDK-activating kinase (CAK), which controls the central processes of cell division and transcription, is activated. The group analyzed the active form of the protein/CAK complex and was able to decipher its function on a molecular level. These new findings provide the basis for further research on cancer drugs and were published in the renowned scientific journal PNAS. Cell division and transcription,…

Scientists at Oregon State University have shown that viral infection is involved in coral bleaching – the breakdown of the symbiotic relationship between corals and the algae they rely on for energy. Funded by the National Science Foundation, the research is important because understanding the factors behind coral health is crucial to efforts to save the Earth’s embattled reefs – between 2014 and 2017 alone, more than 75% experienced bleaching-level heat stress, and 30% suffered mortality-level stress. The planet’s largest…

It might look like a little game at the molecular scale. Filament-like proteins in heart muscle cells have to be exactly the same length so that they can coordinate perfectly to make the heart beat. Another protein decides when the filament is the right size and puts a wee little cap on it. But, if that protein makes a mistake and puts the cap on too early, another protein, leiomodin, comes along and knocks the cap out of the way….

First scientific description of a previously unknown Streptococcus species of Chacoan peccaries. The species richness of zoo and wild animals is reflected in the diversity of infectious agents they harbour. However, our knowledge is sparse and pathogen detection remains challenging. For streptococci, a bacterial family of importance to human and animal health, wildlife research has taken a step forward: A research team led by Kristin Mühldorfer from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) and Tobias Eisenberg from…

International research team led by pharmacists of the University of Jena uncovers molecular regulation mechanism: toxic substance found in Staphylococcus aureus does not just damage cells, but also stimulates tissue regeneration. Normally they are among the many harmless organisms found in and on the human body: one in four people have millions of Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on their skin and on the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract, without being aware of it. In some cases, however, the harmless…

Collaboration by researchers in Singapore and Australia lead to first-of-its-kind computational biology algorithm that could enable more effective cellular therapies against major diseases. Cellular therapy is a powerful strategy to produce patient-specific, personalised cells to treat many diseases, including heart disease and neurological disorders. But a major challenge for cell therapy applications is keeping cells alive and well in the lab. That may soon change as researchers at Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, and Monash University, Australia have devised an algorithm…

Discovery that bacterial biofilms behave like animal embryos sheds new light on the origin of life. Bacteria are a dominant form of life that inhabit every environment on Earth. This includes human bodies, where they outnumber our cells and genes and regulate our existence for good or bad. Bacteria are regularly viewed as simple, single-celled organisms. As bacteria are ancient, it is widely accepted that a bacteria-like, unicellular being was the first life. Recent work published in ‘Molecular Biology and…

Biotechnological solutions for degradation and recycling of plastics. Plastics are wonderful materials. They are extremely versatile and of almost eternal durability. But that also causes a problem. After around 100 years of plastic production, plastic particles are almost everywhere: in ground water, the oceans, the air and the food chain. Across the globe, considerable efforts are being taken to solve this “plastic crisis” by using biotechnological methods. However, most progress is restricted to a specific type of plastic, namely polyesters…

Imaging findings of in situ pulmonary artery thrombosis associated with radiation therapy are different from acute pulmonary emboli and do not appear to embolize. According to an article in ARRS’ American Journal of Roentgenology (AJR), the imaging findings of in situ pulmonary artery thrombosis (PAT) associated with radiation therapy (RT) are different from those of acute pulmonary emboli and do not appear to embolize. Due to the differences in clinical prognosis and subsequent management strategies, in situ PAT associated with…

Research led by University of Pennsylvania biologists reveals an antagonistic relationship behind flower development. In an elegant choreography, plants take cues from their environment and channel them into flowers, roots, or branches. In a new paper in Nature Communications, biologist Doris Wagner of the School of Arts & Sciences and colleagues identified some of the behind-the-scenes machinations that go into arriving at these variations in plant architecture. Long interested in the translation of these environmental inputs to physical traits, Wagner…

Strengthening innovative power of German medical technology industry Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT as partner in the BMB joint project “EUREKA-AMeLie: Advanced Systems Engineering aims to reduce production costs for SMEs and increase design flexibility – Exemplary testing on application cases from the fields of in-vitro diagnostics, medical devices and implants The medical technology industry is facing major challenges due to digitalization, new manufacturing technologies and changes in the regulatory framework. In order to strengthen the innovative power of…