New therapeutic approach may one day delay neurodegeneration typical of a disease called mucopolysaccharidoses IIIB (MPS IIIB)

The importance of the human brown adipose tissue (BAT) has become clearer during the past ten years. Coldness is one of the most effective activators of the BAT metabolic function but, in rodents, eating has also been shown to activate BAT. The debate on whether eating has the same effect on humans has lasted for decades. Now, the researchers at Turku PET Centre have proven that having a meal increases oxygen consumption in human BAT to the same extent as coldness.

Scientists have revealed that protein molecules in the brain are broken down and replaced at different rates, depending on where in the brain they are.

Scientists describe how phosphorylation of 80 synaptic proteins drives our sleep/wake cycles

An ambitious new workflow has married two cutting-edge proteomic analysis techniques to improve imaging of large protein assemblies. The combination of electron cryo-microscopy (cryo-EM) and cross-linking coupled mass spectrometry (CX-MS) allows deeper interrogation of protein structures to a level of detail that the techniques are incapable of obtaining on their own.

Determining what happens to a drug after it enters the body is a key consideration in the drug development process. Liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has emerged as one of the most powerful analytical tools for the screening and identification of drug metabolites. Advances in the field of LC-MS have allowed scientists to analyze drug metabolic pathways and drug-drug interactions more closely, and improve therapeutic strategies for many challenging diseases.

Researchers have published the first detailed picture and description of the 3-dimensional molecular structure of telomerase – a discovery that could enable better targeted drug screening and could result in more successful telomerase-related clinical therapeutics.

Improved access to clean and safe drinking water is key for health and survival and has been classified as a human right. Here, we take a look at some of the novel solutions, both hi-tech and low-tech, that scientists are designing to help monitor drinking water source safety.

In the post-genomics era, we look at the powerful new revolution in proteomics. We find out how advances are deepening our understanding of cancer biology and resistance processes, which will lead to new clinical applications such as non-invasive biomarkers and drug development.