|
|
 |
 | Medical News Releases > University Groups > School of Medicine >
Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics
| News Stories & Tip Sheets: |
Showing Stories 1 through 10 of 25.
- Show Home
Show page:
1 | 2 | 3 | next |
|
Fixing genetic breaks
New information about DNA repair mechanism could lead to better cancer drugs
July 16,
2009 --
 |
| Illustration of two proteins involved in DNA repair by artist Amy VanDonsel |
Download
|
Researchers at the School of Medicine have shed new light on a process that fixes breaks in the genetic material of cells. The scientists studied protein molecules that have an important role in homologous recombination, which is one way that cells repair breaks in the DNA double helix. Their findings could lead to ways of enhancing chemotherapy drugs that destroy cancer cells by damaging their DNA.
|
cWIDR
WUSTL center for study of women's infectious diseases officially opens
May 5,
2008 --
 |
| Photo courtesy of Scott Hultgren, John Heuser and Robyn Roth |
| A micrograph reveals an E. coli bacterium (in green) that is part of a community of bacteria known as a biofilm. |
|
Download
|
Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis this week held opening ceremonies for a new center to study infectious diseases that preferentially affect women. The center for Women's Infectious Disease Research (cWIDR) will focus on issues such as microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs), infections that lead to premature delivery, and potential contributing roles for microorganisms in life-threatening conditions such as cancer.
|
Size matters
Researchers discover pathway to cell size, division
July 30,
2007 -- Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have discovered through genetic analyses a metabolic pathway in bacteria comprised of just three genes, all known to be players in metabolism. This pathway was previously shown to be involved in synthesizing modified membrane lipids but data from Petra Levin's lab indicate that it also has a major role in cell division. This is the first identification of a pathway responsible for regulating bacterial cell size.
|
Turning up the gas
Let the NO flow: discovery provides key to improving blood circulation, healing
April 6,
2007 --
 |
| An angiogram, or X-ray image of blood vessels |
Scientists have uncovered a new biomedical technique that could increase blood flow to alleviate problems associated with cardiovascular disease, diabetes and many surgical procedures. They found that blocking the action of a blood-clot-associated protein turns up the effect of a biologically produced gas that can open blood vessels and increase blood flow.
|
Repairing cell damage
Genetic repair mechanism clears the way for sealing DNA breaks
Oct. 18,
2006 --
 |
| DNA ligase encircles the DNA double helix. |
|
Download
|
Scientists investigating an important DNA-repair enzyme now have a better picture of the final steps of a process that glues together, or ligates, the ends of DNA strands to restore the double helix. The enzyme, DNA ligase, repairs the millions of DNA breaks generated during the normal course of a cell's life.
|
Fat delivery
Engineers desiqn method to avoid blood clotting
Oct. 9,
2006 --
 |
| Photo by David Kilper / WUSTL Photo |
| New biomaterials greatly reduce the risk of blood clotting. |
|
Download
|
Biomedical engineers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed new biomaterials to recruit endothelial cells to the inner surfaces of vascular grafts. Endothelial cells normally line blood vessels and actively protect against blood clotting. Blood clotting on artificial materials is currently so severe that the use of vascular grafts is limited to large diameter vessels. A team led by Donald Elbert, Ph. D., Washington University assistant professor of biomedical engineering, synthesized the new materials. More...
|
Celebrating science
'Symposium at 77' to honor Frieden
Sept. 14,
2006 --
 |
| Frieden |
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics will hold the "Symposium at 77" in honor of its former department head and longtime professor Carl Frieden. The symposium, named for Frieden's age, will be held Sept. 21 at the Eric P. Newman Education Center at the School of Medicine.
|
Like a sponge
Triple threat polymer captures and releases
June 8,
2006 --
 |
| David Kilper/WUSTL Photo |
| Karen L. Wooley and lab members examine polymer samples. |
|
Download
|
A chemist at Washington University in St. Louis has developed a remarkable nanostructured material that can repel pests, sweeten the air, and some day might even be used as a timed drug delivery system — as a nasal spray, for instance. Karen L. Wooley, Ph.D., Washington University James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor in Arts & Sciences, has taken the same materials that she developed more than four years ago as marine "antifouling" coatings that inhibit marine organisms such as barnacles from attaching to the hull of ships to now capture fragrance molecules and release them at room temperature. More...
|
Department head named
Ellenberger named head of biochemistry and molecular biophysics
Nov. 28,
2005 --
Thomas Ellenberger, D.V.M., Ph.D., has been named the Raymond H. Wittcoff Professor and head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics at the School of Medicine.
|
Better late than never
Secrets to antibody's success against West Nile Virus surprise scientists
Sept. 28,
2005 -- A monoclonal antibody that can effectively treat mice infected with West Nile virus has an intriguing secret: Contrary to scientists' expectations, it does not block the virus's ability to attach to host cells. Instead, the antibody somehow stops the infectious process at a later point.
|
Showing Stories 1 through 10 of 25.
- Show Home
Show page:
1 | 2 | 3 | next |
|
Affiliated with Barnes-Jewish Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital, members of BJC HealthCare.
Please contact us and let us know how we can assist you.
Technical problems with this Web site? Email questions or comments.
Please review the WUSTL News & Information copyright/privacy policy.
| |
|
| | |
|
Print ready page