Author archives: Invited Researcher

A universal theory for heteropolymer design

A universal theory for heteropolymer design

BiochemistryChemistryMaterials

By Invited Researcher

On our unique planet, life evolved under the pressure of natural selection. The evolution theory of Darwin demonstrates the incredible plasticity of the living organism. For millions of years, living organisms explored the conformational universe of proteins introducing new structures and function through genetic mutations. The genetic modifications are translated into the sequence of amino-acids […]

Singin’ in the Brain: why brain tumour patients are singing on the operating table

Singin’ in the Brain: why brain tumour patients are singing on the operating table

LanguageMedicineNeurobiology

By Invited Researcher

Zoë Firth & Priscila Borba Borges, students, European Master’s in Clinical Linguistics (EMCL+) and Adrià Rofes (advisor) ‘ I can’t control my brain’. So sang Weezer in their 2001 hit ‘Island in the Sun’; how fitting, then, that this was the song teenager Kira Iaconetti chose to sing during her brain surgery. That’s right: during […]

The spreading of science news, from Arthur Eddington (1919) to black holes (2019).

The spreading of science news, from Arthur Eddington (1919) to black holes (2019).

HistoryPhilosophy of science

By Invited Researcher

On April 10 th 2019, the Event Horizon Telescope project released the first image ever of a black hole. Five simultaneous press conferences, in Brussels, Taipei, Santiago de Chile, Tokyo and Washington were broadcast live, staging a global media event for astrophysics. Besides the inevitable memes in the so-called social media, more serious press outlets […]

Mapping PTEN: basic research to assist precision oncology

Mapping PTEN: basic research to assist precision oncology

BiomedicineMedicineMolecular biology

By Invited Researcher

In the last two decades, the easiness in the obtaining of genetic information from patient biological samples, together with the advanced knowledge on the physiological consequences of patient genetic alterations, has transformed the daily clinical practice in our hospitals. As a result, the current use of the precision medicine concept, as disseminated today in the […]

Could excipients decrease antimicrobial properties? Citronellal oil and cyclodextrins

Could excipients decrease antimicrobial properties? Citronellal oil and cyclodextrins

Biochemistry

By Invited Researcher

Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología molecular-A, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Murcia, E-30100 Murcia, Spain * adrian.matencio@um.es Antimicrobial resistance is a problem in our society. Although several authors have focused on seeking new molecules with antimicrobial activity, resistance has increased. Several authors are looking for new antimicrobial substances or seeking to improve the use of […]

Design of protein-protein binding sites suggests a rationale for naturally occurring contact areas

Design of protein-protein binding sites suggests a rationale for naturally occurring contact areas

BiochemistryChemistryMaterials

By Invited Researcher

Molecular recognition is a critical process for many biological functions and consists in non-covalent binding of different molecules, such as protein-protein, antigen-antibody and many others. The host-guest molecules involved often show a shape complementarity, and one of the leading specification for molecular recognition is that the interaction must be selective, i.e. the host should strongly […]