Computational models of virions were generated using cellPACK. From left to right, the five models illustrate a random distribution of an increasing number of spikes: 10 (average number of spikes for HIV-1 virions), 49 (average number of spikes for V1 hVLPs), 127 (average number of spikes for V4 hVLPs), 214 (highest number of spikes estimated…
The ability to locate and visualize proteins and macromolecular complexes in cells and tissues in 3D high resolution continues to be a challenge in biomedical studies. Various techniques and tools are key to this work. For example, light microscopy uses fluorescent labels to track elements of interest, but it provides an incomplete view, including only…
There’s long been a standard tradeoff in biochemistry: You can study overall shape (of, say, a macromolecule or an organelle) or high-resolution detail within, say, at the 10-40-nanometer scale. Seeing both at the same time would be one of today’s scientific Holy Grails. But new work by a research team at the National Biomedical Computation…
Each molecule of the human DNA contains a sequence of genes containing all the secrets of our body. A genetic testing is the most modern and accurate way to uncover many of them. For example, how our body assimilates vitamins, and which ones are most useful, why the skin ages and deteriorates, what affects weight…
Any genetic analysis is decoding a person’s DNA and interpreting the results. The procedure consists of several stages. Genetic material is taken from cells: genetics used to work with blood, now laboratories are increasingly switching to non-invasive methods and isolating DNA from saliva. The isolated material is sequenced. Using chemical reactions and analyzers, it is…
All drugs prescribed for glaucoma are designed to correct IOP and prevent the destruction of the optic nerve fibers. However, the mechanism of their action is not the same. Some reduce the production of intraocular fluid, others improve its outflow, and still others have a combined effect. The first-line drugs prescribed for glaucoma and ocular…
CRISPR-Cas9 conformational activation, as revealed from Gaussian accelerated Molecular Dynamics (GaMD) simulations. GaMD reveals the conformational change of the HNH domain (green) from its inactive configuration (top) to the active state (bottom). This conformational change, which occurs along milliseconds, is captured with atomic-level precision via the use of advanced simulation methods (i.e. GaMD) and state-of-the-art…
With the click of a button, a simulation is triggered and a user can visualize the dance a protein performs in a solution. Described above is the combined power of Kepler and Molecular Dynamic (MD) simulations. MD simulation is a powerful tool to study the atomistic details of a biological system. Atom movements across time are…
Reprint of article originally published January 3, 2017 in c&en By Katherine Bourzac Determining the structures of enzymes and other biomolecules with X-ray crystallography has deepened biologists’ understanding of the inner workings of cells and led to the design of many important drugs. Increasingly, researchers are using computer modeling to attain a more realistic picture of…
Reprint of article originally published December 9, 2016 from The University of Chicago By Robert Mitchum Despite persistent unemployment in the United States, millions of jobs are hard to fill due to a lack of qualified applicants. While community college and training organizations seek to equip people with the skills required for these openings, it’s a…