A duo of scientists at Penn State University has achieved a major milestone in understanding genomic “dark matter” — called non-coding RNA. This “dark matter” is difficult to detect and no one knows exactly what it is doing or why… Read More ›
Molecular Biology
Disarming HIV With a “Pop”
PHILADELPHIA, September 19, 2013 The DAVEI molecule is comprised of two main pieces: Membrane Proximal External Region (MPER), which attaches to the viral membranes, and cyanovarin (CVN), which binds to the sugar coating of the virus’s protein spike. Pinning down… Read More ›
Designer Molecule Causes AIDS Virus to Destroy Itself
A scanning electron micrograph shows HIV particles infecting a colorized human H9 T cell. (Credit: NIAID) FILE PHOTO by Jessica Berman Researchers have designed a synthetic molecule that tricks the AIDS virus into destroying itself. The compound, called DAVEI, was… Read More ›
DEAD-box proteins function as recycling nanopistons when unwinding RNA: May be incorporated into artificial nanomachines
Contact: Daniel Oppenheimer daniel.oppenheimer@utexas.edu 512-745-3353 University of Texas at Austin Ancient enzymes function like nanopistons to unwind RNA AUSTIN, Texas—Molecular biologists at The University of Texas at Austin have solved one of the mysteries of how double-stranded RNA is remodeled… Read More ›
Antiviral drugs could make diseases worse – By Speeding up the Mutation Rates, Helping Create Super Viruses
Contact: Tracey DePellegrin Connelly td2p@andrew.cmu.edu 412-268-1812 Genetics Society of America New study raises the possibility that some antiviral drugs could make diseases worse Research published in the journal Genetics suggests that mutagenic drugs designed to kill viruses may make them… Read More ›
Engineering Evil 