Effective immunity to infections requires the development of a diverse repertoire of antibodies. Antibody diversity is created through a process known as somatic hypermutation, which is the programmed mutation of specific sequences of DNA in the antibody genes. The introduction of mutations results in the production of antibodies that recognise and bind to different antigens, […]
Insight on Research
Insight into the complex 3D topology of the TOR enzyme
Target of Rapamycin (TOR) is a protein kinase that is essential in maintaining cellular homeostasis. In mammalian cells the enzyme occurs as two large protein complexes and one of these, mTORC1, controls growth of cells by integrating signals from growth factors and the nutritional state of cells. Many tumours in humans are associated with inappropriate […]
Daily magnesium fluxes regulate cellular timekeeping and energy balance
Most organisms, including humans and plants, have circadian rhythms that allow them to adjust their metabolism and behaviour to match the 24-hour cycle of day and night. Circadian rhythms are even observed at the level of individual cells, and are dependent upon a biological clock mechanism that is not fully understood. Work by John O’Neill’s […]
Nanostructures from synthetic genetic polymers
‘Synthetic biology’ is a scientific approach that seeks to answer fundamental questions in biology by reconstruction and modification of the molecules and processes of life. Beyond its well-known role as the carrier of genetic information, DNA (and its close cousin RNA) have shown great promise as a nano-molecular building material: by careful arrangement of the […]
Structure of brain receptor linked to learning
Information transfer in the nervous system occurs at synapses, where presynaptic signals are interpreted by postsynaptic receptors. Ingo Greger’s group, in the LMB’s Neurobiology Division, study this process with a focus on AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) at various levels of complexity. AMPARs are the prime mediators of excitatory neurotransmission and are regulators of synaptic plasticity, […]
Structural insight offers potential for new anti-malarial treatment
Every year hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by Malaria and nearly half a million die from the disease. More than two thirds of those dying are children under five. The disease is caused by parasites passed to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes, with Plasmodium falciparum being the parasite responsible for […]