The hottest Proteins Substack posts right now

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mRNA vaccines lead to unwanted proteins - but what does it mean?

Maryanne Demasi, reports • 4127 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines mRNA Proteins Safety Research
  1. mRNA vaccines can lead to production of unwanted proteins due to reading errors in cells
  2. Research suggests that these off-target proteins do not raise significant safety concerns about mRNA vaccines
  3. Even though concerns exist about off-target proteins, experts suggest that mRNA vaccines are still considered safe

Are AlphaFold's new results a miracle or a mirage?

Oleg’s Substack • 37 HN points • 24 Jun 24
🔬 Science Research Data Analysis Machine Learning Proteins
  1. AlphaFold 3 can predict how drug-like molecules bind to proteins better than existing programs without needing a 3D structure of the target.
  2. Data redundancy in scientific datasets can impact the performance and interpretation of machine learning models.
  3. AlphaFold 3's occasional missed obvious insights, like atoms overlapping, raises questions about its learning methods and performance.

A Protein Printer

Asimov Press • 322 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🔬 Science Biology Technology Chemistry DNA Proteins
  1. A protein printer is a new technology that can convert digital bits into physical molecules, potentially revolutionizing biology.
  2. The protein printer could make proteins without using DNA or cells, thus reducing costs significantly.
  3. Engineering a protein printer involves reimagining the ribosome to quickly convert digital bits into physical molecules with high precision.

Alternatives to Zookeeping

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biology Biomedical Proteins Antibodies Research
  1. Synthetic biology can provide alternatives to traditional antibodies in biomedical research to improve progress and reproducibility.
  2. Current production and use of antibodies have intrinsic and extrinsic challenges, such as compatibility issues, cost, and reproducibility concerns.
  3. Moving towards new antibody technologies, like recombinant antibodies and phage display, could lead to better solutions in biomedical research, though adoption may require top-down support from funding agencies.

An N terminomics toolbox combining 2-pyridine carboxaldehyde probes and click chemistry for profiling protease specificity

Axial • 37 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🔬 Science Chemistry Biology Research Proteins Methods
  1. The paper introduces an expanded toolbox of reagents for profiling protease substrates and specificity using chemoproteomic methods.
  2. The work demonstrated high N-terminal selectivity with little intrinsic sequence bias beyond a requirement for a backbone amide at position 2.
  3. The 2PCA toolkit enables a broad range of applications in protease biology research by providing selective N-terminal labeling reagents that are easy to implement.
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Codon: Notes on Progress #1

Asimov Press • 83 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🔬 Science AI Neurotech CRISPR Proteins
  1. Biology is unique because it allows measuring designs in real experiments at massive scales.
  2. AI and machine learning are driving breakthroughs in biology including genome editing prediction and antimicrobial peptide discovery.
  3. Advancements in neurotech include brain-computer interface speed records and LED implants for vision stimulation.

Is the “Receptor for AGEs (RAGE)” Really a Receptor for AGEs?

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 39 implied HN points • 21 Nov 10
🔬 Science Research Health Inflammation Proteins
  1. The Receptor for AGEs (RAGE) may not actually bind to and activate AGEs as previously believed, leading to a debate in the scientific community
  2. Studies have shown that RAGE is involved in processes like cell proliferation, tissue repair, and immune system function, rather than solely causing inflammation
  3. Deletions of the RAGE gene in mice have shown varied effects, indicating the complex role RAGE plays in the body

When Glucose Makes a Mess

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 19 implied HN points • 19 Jan 10
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Oxidative stress Proteins Research
  1. Oxidative stress caused by sugars can be similar to other types of stress like nitrative and carbonyl stress
  2. Methylglyoxal, a compound from sugar breakdown, can damage proteins by forming harmful imidazole rings
  3. Methylglyoxal's reaction with lysine can lead to crosslinking of proteins, potentially disrupting protein function and structure

Modular Peptide Nanotechnology

Splitting Infinity • 0 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🔬 Science Nanotechnology Proteins Energy Efficiency
  1. Proteins can be used in nanotechnology for various functions like constructing structures and manipulating light.
  2. Designing peptides separately for specific roles can speed up the protein design process by reducing costs and enhancing iteration capabilities.
  3. Combining specialized peptides into modular proteins offers new functionalities like staining cancer cells or filtering specific molecules from wastewater.

Cholesterol's Importance to the Cell Membrane

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 0 implied HN points • 27 Dec 08
🔬 Science Biology Chemistry Cholesterol Proteins
  1. Cholesterol is a crucial component of cell membranes, contributing to about 20% of its mass and helping maintain the membrane's integrity.
  2. Cholesterol helps regulate the fluidity of cell membranes, preventing them from becoming too fluid or too firm, ensuring optimal cell function.
  3. Cholesterol plays a key role in securing important proteins within the cell membrane, aiding in various cellular functions and communication between cells.