In the earliest phase of creating human proteins, the protein complex NAC performs an essential task by starting the first steps towards folding proteins into their correct three-dimensional structures. This discovery was made by an international research team led by scientists from the Center for Molecular Biology of Heidelberg University. They found that the NAC complex binds to the nascent protein building-blocks formed by the ribosome, i.e., the amino acid chains, and initiates the folding that is essential for functional proteins. According to the scientists, the research results provide not only new findings on protein synthesis but also insights into cellular strategies to avoid incorrect folding, which can lead to serious illnesses.

TOR solves a common problem in living beings: deciding whether to grow, based on the presence or absence of nutrients. It does it so well that it is present in a multitude of species: primates, fungi, birds, insects, plants...Tafur’s latest findings have been published in 'Nature Structural & Molecular Biology'.

Cryopreservation is not a new technology, but there is still much to explore and perfect in the field. Current methods use slow freezing, a method that is conducive to ice formation, cell dehydration and an increase in cryoprotective agents (CPAs). These are not ideal circumstances for achieving immaculately cryopreserved cells. Researchers from the University of Tokyo use vitrification, a process that transforms a substance into a noncrystalline solid by rapid cooling. This cooling yields favorable outcomes in biological samples, even those that are typically difficult to freeze and thaw successfully. Despite challenges within this method, the future of regenerative medicine research may be greatly, and positively, impacted by the use of vitrification for cell cryopreservation.

Study helps to better understand ecological and evolutionary processes.