Tag: Protein secondary structure

AIScienceTechnology

RNA Structural Barriers Enhance CRISPR-Cas13 Diagnostic Precision and Mismatch Detection

Scientists have uncovered how RNA structural elements compete with CRISPR-Cas13 targeting, leading to a novel strand displacement model that explains Cas13 activation dynamics. The findings enable unprecedented specificity in detecting viral variants and single-nucleotide mutations, potentially revolutionizing molecular diagnostics.

RNA Structure Governs Cas13 Activation and Diagnostic Specificity

Recent research published in Nature Biotechnology reveals how RNA secondary structure fundamentally influences CRISPR-Cas13 activity, with significant implications for diagnostic applications. According to the report, RNA molecules form intramolecular base pairs that compete with the guide RNA (crRNA) for target binding, creating what sources describe as a “structural barrier” that modulates Cas13 activation.

by Ryan Holbrook
AIResearchScience

AI-Driven Peptide Engineering Yields Novel Antimicrobial Candidates with Clinical Promise

Scientists have pioneered a computational method for designing structured peptides that successfully generated antimicrobial candidates effective against dangerous pathogens. The approach yielded several peptides demonstrating significant bacterial load reduction in animal models while showing minimal cytotoxicity.

Breakthrough in Computational Peptide Design

Researchers have developed a novel “key-cutting machine” (KCM) approach to engineer structured peptides with enhanced antimicrobial properties, according to a recent report published in Nature Machine Intelligence. The methodology reportedly combines evolutionary algorithms with structural prediction to navigate the complex landscape of protein design, sources indicate.

by Darren Holt