Researchers explore early stages of ribosome formation to identify new targets for antibiotics
Ribosome formation is viewed as a promising potential target for new antibacterial agents. Researchers from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have gained new insights into this multifaceted process.
The formation of ribosomal components involves multiple helper proteins which, much like instruments in an orchestra, interact in a coordinated way. One of these helper proteins - protein ObgE - acts as the conductor, guiding the entire process. The research, which produced the first-ever image-based reconstruction of this process, has been published in
Molecular Cell.
Ribosomes are an essential component of all living cells. Frequently referred to as molecular protein factories , they translate genetic information into chains of linked-up amino acids which are otherwise known as proteins.
Oak Brook, IL - The March edition of
SLAS Discovery features the cover article, Therapeutic and Vaccine Options for COVID-19: Status After 6 Months of the Disease Outbreak by Christian Ogaugwu (Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria ), Dawid Maciorowski, Subba Rao Durvasula, Ph.D., Ravi Durvasula, M.D., and Adinarayana Kunamneni, Ph.D. (Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL, USA).
This cover article focuses on the therapeutic and vaccine options available against the novel coronavirus, roughly six months after the outbreak; because the COVID-19-related death toll worldwide had reached 500,000 in six months (and ballooned to over 2,000,000 at the time of publishing) the importance of options to temper the disease cannot be overemphasized. The article highlights the available treatment alternatives for mild and serious active cases of COVID-19 infections and explores the vaccine options that should aid to confer immunity to vaccinated individuals. In addition
Doppler radar improves lives by peeking inside air masses to predict the weather. A Purdue University team is using similar technology to look inside living cells, introducing a method to detect pathogens and treat infections in ways that scientists never have before.
Thought LeadersDr. Iman RoohaniResearch FellowUNSW Sydney
AZoM speaks with Dr. Iman Roohani from UNSW. Dr. Roohani is part of a team of researchers that developed a technique referred to as Ceramic Omnidirectional Bioprinting in Cell-Suspensions (COBICS). This technique could allow surgeons to print structures that can be submerged in water and hardened within just minutes, resembling natural bone. Even more revolutionary, the structures contain living cells that continue to grow after they are implanted.
Can you give our readers a summary of your recent research?
We have developed a technique (COBICS) that enables printing constructs with the same chemistry to native bone mineral at room temperature with living cells. These structures are the most accurate mimics of the bone tissue. COBICS can print complex and biologically relevant architecture constructs without the need for sacrificial support materials, on-spot and laborious post-processing steps.