Tag: Lipid and Membrane Biochemistry

New probes offer insight into cholesterol’s role in Alzheimer’s disease

The search for answers to Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders remains one of the most pressing goals in brain research. Maciej J. Stawikowski, Ph.D., an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at Florida Atlantic University’s Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, believes the key may lie in understanding how cholesterol and other lipids move… Continue reading New probes offer insight into cholesterol’s role in Alzheimer’s disease

Ultrasound-directed microbubbles could boost immune response against tumors

Researchers have designed process that uses ultrasound to modify the behavior of cancer-fighting T cells by increasing their cell permeability. They targeted freshly isolated human immune cells with tightly focused ultrasound beams and clinically approved contrast agent microbubbles. When hit with the ultrasound, the bubbles vibrate at extremely high frequency, acting as a push-pull on… Continue reading Ultrasound-directed microbubbles could boost immune response against tumors

Development of small-molecule fluorescent probes targeting neutrophils via N-formyl peptide receptors

N-formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are membrane receptors that are abundantly expressed in innate immune cells, including neutrophils and platelets, demonstrating potential new targets for immune system regulation and the treatment of inflammatory conditions. We report here the development and bio-physical validation of new FPR imaging agents as effective tools to track FPR distribution, localisation and… Continue reading Development of small-molecule fluorescent probes targeting neutrophils via N-formyl peptide receptors

Uncovering the substrate of olefin synthase loading domains in cyanobacteria Picosynechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002

Cyanobacteria are widespread, photosynthetic, gram-negative bacteria that generate numerous bioactive secondary metabolites via complex biosynthetic enzymatic machinery. The model cyanobacterium Picosynechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002, hereafter referred to as PCC 7002, contains a type I polyketide synthase (PKS), termed olefin synthase (OlsWT), that synthesizes 1-nonadecene and 1,14-nonadecadiene: α-olefins that are important for growth at low… Continue reading Uncovering the substrate of olefin synthase loading domains in cyanobacteria Picosynechococcus sp. strain PCC 7002