Our immune system generates a strong antibody response against nucleoproteins, but the role of this has not been understood. Leo James’ group has revealed a new mechanism that could have important implications for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and treatment.
TRIM21 links antibody and T cell immunity to combat viral infection
First structure of a fungal GPCR
Human GPCRs are the targets of approximately 34% of all FDA-approved drugs. GPCRs in fungi could also be useful drug targets, but no structures of fungal GPCRs had been solved. Chris Tate’s group has now determined the first structure of a fungal GPCR.
Tanmay Bharat announced as EMBO Young Investigator
LMB Alumnus Tanmay Bharat is among 30 life science researchers within their first four years as group leaders to become EMBO Young Investigators. He joins the existing network of 73 current and 384 former members of the programme and will receive support from EMBO during the foundation of their first independent laboratory. More…
Coronavirus: The Spike
Science Museum Group blog: Many COVID-19 drugs, vaccines and tests depend on ‘the spike’. Roger Highfield, Science Director, talks to John Briggs and finds out all there is to know about 2020’s most infamous protein. More…
Ribosomal rescue in our mitochondria
Mitochondrial ribosomes are different from those in the cytoplasm of human cells and little is known about their quality control. Venki Ramakrishnan’s group has discovered a novel pathway to rescue stalled mitoribosomes and determined structures of the rescue factors.
A connection between stress detection and lifestyle decisions in worms
Rebecca Taylor’s group has identified a signalling molecule that connects detection of a stressful environment by the nervous system with molecular defence mechanisms in other tissues and leads to changes in feeding behaviour and reproduction.