RNA + Research

Molecular ‘hub’ regulates gene-silencing proteins

To keep their vital functions in balance, many organisms use small snippets of RNA to ‘silence’ messenger RNAs that code for certain proteins. New research from FMI scientists revealed a molecular hub…

Adipose tissue as a culprit: How obesity leads to diabetes

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for diabetes and fatty liver disease. Recently, the research team led by Prof. Michael N. Hall at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has discovered that a…

"The coronavirus could be defeated with a drug"

A large study led by researchers at ETH Zurich – that also involved groups at the Universities of Bern, Lausanne and Cork (Ireland) – has revealed that a specific chemical molecule is able to…

Creation of a detailed "catalogue" of degradation products in cells

Cells have their own quality control to prevent the production and accumulation of harmful proteins. This quality control is essential for correct embryonic development in all mammals and plays an…

In vitro Zoo helps in understanding SARS-CoV-2

A team of researchers from the Institute for Infectious Diseases (IFIK) at the University of Bern and the Institute of Virology and Immunology (IVI) have used a unique collection of advanced cell…

The Achilles heel of the Coronavirus

SARS-CoV-2 is critically dependent on a special mechanism for the production of its proteins. A collaborative team led by a research group at ETH Zurich obtained molecular insights into this process…

SARS-CoV-2 mutations in competition

How dangerous are new mutations of the SARS-CoV-2 virus?

Mechanism discovered how the coronavirus hijacks the cell

Researchers at ETH Zurich and the University of Bern have discovered a mechanism by which the corona virus manipulates human cells to ensure its own replication. This knowledge will help to develop…

Breast cancer: New way for tumor cells to escape self-destruction

In the body, the so-called programmed cell death prevents cells with irreparable damage from surviving and turning into cancer cells. In the “EMBO Journal”, the team led by Prof. Mihaela Zavolan at…

Bern coronavirus clone goes "viral"

Researchers in virology and veterinary bacteriology at the University of Bern have cloned the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2).

RNA: a new star in medical science

It was long in the shadow of DNA. But now, RNA is laying down real competition for its bigger sister, as it offers a broad range of potential medical applications. We look at a selection of them.

Corona vaccine at a fast pace

Vaccines are needed in the fight against the new coronavirus. Steve Pascolo from the University of Zurich and an associated member of the National Center of Competence in Research (NCCR) "RNA &…

RNA as a future cure for hereditary diseases

ETH Zurich scientists have developed an RNA molecule that can be used in bone marrow cells to correct genetic errors that affect protein production. Patients suffering from a rare hereditary disease…

RNA as a tool

In the laboratory, RNA molecules can be used as tools to study and better understand cellular processes. Two frequently used techniques are RNA interference and the gene scissors.

Secrets of the genetic code - clearly ambiguous!

Rules are meant to be broken - even in nature.

How to construct a protein factory

The complexity of molecular structures in the cell is amazing. Having achieved great success in elucidating these structures in recent years, biologists are now taking on the next challenge: to find…

Turbocharger for the cell machinery

Researchers of the University of Bern have discovered a new molecular regulatory mechanism in unicellular parasites which has never before been observed. RNA fragments do not act as brakes in the cell…

Algorithms for identifying new "cancer genes"

It is estimated that the number of cancer cases worldwide will double by 2040. This makes the search for genes that cause cancer even more important. A team of researchers from the University of Bern…

Dicer is not rolling dice

Researchers keep discovering new functions of small RNAs. For instance, they can be used as a defense mechanism against viruses or self-replicating genome invaders. These tiny pieces of RNA are often…

New weakness discovered in the sleeping sickness pathogen

Trypanosomes are single-celled parasites that cause diseases such as human African sleeping sickness and Nagana in animals. But they are also used in basic research as a model system to study…

A possible way to new antibiotics

Two research teams from the University of Bern and the ETH Zurich have developed a new method to shed light onto a mostly unknown process of bacterial protein production. Their results could be used…

An unusual delivery service

Is it better to produce locally or to import? That can be a crucial question for simple lifeforms as well. Mitochondria, the power plants of the cell, have their own protein factories although the…