News tagged with molecular switch

Molecular 'on-off' switch for Parkinson's disease discovered

(Medical Xpress) -- Scientists at the Medical Research Council (MRC) Protein Phosphorylation Unit at the University of Dundee have discovered a new molecular switch that acts to protect the brain from developing Parkinson's ...

Parkinson's & Movement disorders created May 23, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (8) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists find molecular link to obesity and insulin resistance in mice

Flipping a newly discovered molecular switch in white fat cells enabled mice to eat a high-calorie diet without becoming obese or developing the inflammation that causes insulin resistance, report scientists ...

Medical research created Sep 27, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Flip of a single molecular switch makes an old brain young

The flip of a single molecular switch helps create the mature neuronal connections that allow the brain to bridge the gap between adolescent impressionability and adult stability. Now Yale School of Medicine ...

Neuroscience created Mar 06, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Super microscope used to pinpoint body's immunity 'switch'

Using the only microscope of its kind in Australia, medical scientists have been able for the first time to see the inner workings of T-cells, the front-line troops that alert our immune system to go on the defensive against ...

Medical research created Jun 05, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Structure of vital protein complex, G protein-coupled receptors, described in unprecedented detail

Three international teams of scientists, led by researchers at the University of California San Diego, University of Michigan and Stanford University, have published a trio of papers describing in unprecedented ...

Medical research created Sep 28, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers highlight potential gene therapy approach to sickle cell disease

Researchers at Dana-Farber/Children's Hospital Cancer Center (DF/CHCC) have taken the first preliminary steps toward developing a form of gene therapy for sickle cell disease. In an abstract presented on Dec. 10 at the 54th ...

Medical research created Dec 11, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0

Team identifies molecular switch enabling immune cells to better fight disease

A research team led by the La Jolla Institute for Allergy & Immunology has discovered the mechanism that enables CD4 helper T cells to assume the more aggressive role of killer T cells in mounting an immune attack against ...

Immunology created Jan 20, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists establish a new class of anti-diabetic compound

In a joint study, scientists from The Scripps Research Institute and Harvard University's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have established a new class of anti-diabetic compound that targets a unique molecular switch.

Medical research created Sep 04, 2011 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (3) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Why cancer cells change their appearance?

Like snakes, tumour cells shed their skin. Cancer is not a static disease but during its development the disease accumulates changes to evade natural defences adapting to new environmental circumstances, protecting against ...

Cancer created Sep 02, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Discovery of insulin switches in pancreas could lead to new diabetes drugs

Researchers at the Salk Institute have discovered how a hormone turns on a series of molecular switches inside the pancreas that increases production of insulin.

Medical research created Sep 26, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers discover faulty molecular switch that cause infertility, miscarriage

Scientists have discovered an enzyme that acts as a 'fertility switch', in a study published in Nature Medicine today. High levels of the protein are associated with infertility, while low levels make a woman more likely ...

Medical research created Oct 16, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists reveal aggressive breast cancer's metastatic path

Scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College have discovered the molecular switch that allows aggressive triple negative breast cancer cells to grow the amoeba-like protrusions they need to crawl away from a primary tumor ...

Cancer created Jan 14, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Molecular switch affects panic disorder

Panic disorder sufferers will tell you the attacks are some of the most sudden, frightening and uncomfortable experiences ever. But what makes some people susceptible to these attacks and others not? Studies of twins point ...

Psychology & Psychiatry created Apr 15, 2011 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

New system finds prostate cancer spread earlier than conventional imaging

Researchers at UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center have developed a way to image the spread of a particularly dangerous form of prostate cancer earlier than conventional imaging in use today, which may allow oncologists ...

Cancer created Sep 22, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New discovery may lead to safer treatments for asthma, allergies and arthritis

Scientists have discovered a missing link between the body's biological clock and sugar metabolism system, a finding that may help avoid the serious side effects of drugs used for treating asthma, allergies and arthritis.

Arthritis & Rheumatism created Dec 19, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Molecular switch

A molecular switch is a molecule that can be reversibly shifted between two or more stable states. The molecules may be shifted between the states in response to changes in e.g. pH, light, temperature, an electrical current, microenvironment, or the presence of a ligand. In some cases, a combination of stimuli are utilized. The oldest forms of synthetic molecular switches are pH indicators, which display distinct colors as a function of pH. Currently synthetic molecular switches are of interest in the field of nanotechnology for application in molecular computers. Molecular switches are also important to in biology because many biological functions are based on it, for instance allosteric regulation and vision. They are also one of the simplest examples of molecular machines.

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Related topics: cells , protein , molecules