Neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) or Parkinson’s are associated with a build-up of insoluble, toxic forms of proteins such as amyloid or tau in the brain. Normally, intracellular protein complexes known as retromers help with recycling and trafficking … Continue reading
Journal Club
Highlighting recently published papers selected by Academy members
Author Archives: Jyoti Madhusoodanan
Journal Club: Enzyme helps to speedily create a key chemical bond in the lab, suggesting synthetic chemistry applications
With just a few chemical tweaks, cellular enzymes can turn some of the most common amino acids into unique compounds that possess antimicrobial or medicinal properties. But in the lab, it’s much harder to derive these molecules when using conventional … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Chemistry | Journal Club
Tagged GRiE, manzacidin C, Streptomyces griseus, synthetic chemistry
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Journal Club: Macrophages help regenerate ear parts in spiny mice
Salamander tails and fish fins are oft-cited examples of animals’ ability to regenerate a lost limb or organ. But one mammal—the African spiny mouse—has also emerged as a model of regenerative abilities. In a recent study, Ashley Seifert of the University … Continue reading
Categories: Applied Biological Sciences | Cell Biology | Immunology | Journal Club
Tagged macrophage, regeneration, salamander, spiny mouse
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Journal Club: ATP could help proteins dissolve in cells, prompting a rethink about its function and evolution
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is widely considered biology’s “energy currency”. A crucial player in cell function, it stores and releases energy for enzymatic reactions in its phosphate bonds. But cells typically hoard amounts of ATP several hundred-fold higher than that needed … Continue reading
Categories: Biochemistry | Cell Biology | Journal Club
Tagged Alzheimer's disease, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, ATP, plaque
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Journal Club: Virus-infected plants create buzz among bees
A bout of a viral infection can leave tomato plants stunted and their leaves sickly. But it might offer a surprising reproductive boost: infected plants release a different smell than healthy ones, and that unique aroma can draw more bees … Continue reading
Journal Club: Removing an immune inhibitor helps protect against lethal fungal infections
Protecting cells from out-of-control immune reactions comes at a price: the same protein that quiets B and T cells to prevent autoimmune responses may also hinder the body’s fight against pathogens. Now researchers have found that in the case of … Continue reading
Categories: Immunology | Journal Club
Tagged candida albicans, cblb, dectin, fungus, ubiquitin
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Journal Club: Human genetics contributes to gut microbiome composition
Microbial communities in the human gut are formed at birth and shaped over time by a person’s diet, and other aspects of lifestyle and environment. Now scientists have confirmed that human genetic sequence polymorphisms also play a key role in … Continue reading
Categories: Applied Biological Sciences | Genetics | Journal Club | Microbiology
Tagged genetics, microbiome, microbiota, twins
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