Learning from Nature: How a fungus makes a hard job easier

Researchers analyze a fungal biosynthetic pathway and discover a capable enzyme

19-Dec-2023 - The investigation of the biosynthesis of panepoxydone, an important substance for biomedical research, in basidiomycetes has revealed a new enzyme as an important catalyst. The results of the researchers from the Leibniz-HKI, the Friedrich Schiller University Jena and the Cluster of Excellence ...

Lysosomes prove to be quick-change artists

Towards active substances against neurodegenerative or metabolic diseases

30-Oct-2023 - Lysosomes play an important role in cells and tissues, controlling not only the degradation of substances but also cell division and growth. A team led by Professor Volker Haucke and Dr. Michael Ebner at the FMP has investigated how these two functions are related to nutrient availability in the ...

Programmable DNA hydrogels for advanced cell culture and personalized medicine

21-Aug-2023 - The team of Dr. Elisha Krieg at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden has developed a dynamic DNA-crosslinked matrix (DyNAtrix) by combining classical synthetic polymers with programmable DNA crosslinkers. DNA’s highly specific and predictable binding gives researchers unparalleled ...

Gene shear protects barley

07-Nov-2022 - Viruses can cause major crop losses in cereals. With the help of the Cas9 gene shear, it has now been possible to protect winter barley from future threats. Genome editing holds great promise for improving crop breeding to meet the challenges of climate change, disease resistance and more ...

Advanced prediction for personal risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Now for ten years in advance instead of previously for five

13-Oct-2022 - The DIfE ─ German Diabetes Risk Test® (DRT) developed by the German Institute of Human Nutrition Potsdam-Rehbrücke (DIfE) has so far made it possible to predict an individual's risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the following five years. Scientists from DIfE and the German Center for Diabetes ...