Targeted gold nanorods for photothermal eradication of cancer cells
A group of scientists from the Laboratory of the molecular immunology, in collaboration with colleagues from the universities of Tel Aviv and Modena, has shown the possibility of using gold nanorods (50 nm in length and 8 nm in diameter) for photothermal eradication of cancer cells by the near-infrared light. Coating of the nanorods (GNRs) with a HER2-specific DARPin, a module of non-immunoglobulin nature, yields stable DARPin-GNR conjugates capable of selective interaction with the surface of HER2-positive cells. Illumination by the near-infrared light (850 nm) led to almost complete eradication of cancer cells. Molecular dynamic simulations showed that a monolayer of DARPin molecules is formed on the surface of the nanorod. Conjugation with the nanorod does not involve the protein's domain responsible for specific binding to HER2. Our results provide the possibility of phototherapy tumors and metastases of deep tissues. The research was supported by the RSF grant No. 19-14-00112 and the results of the work were published in the journal ACS Applied Materials Interfaces.
News 
- PRMT5 methylome profiling uncovers a direct link to splicing regulation in acute myeloid leukemia
science news
X.29 Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) belongs to the class II arginine methyltransferases and catalyzes monomethylation and symmetrical dimethylation of arginines on proteins. It has recently emerged as a promising cancer drug target, and two PRMT5 inhibitors are currently in clinical trials for a range malignancies. Despite the recognized therapeutic potential, it is unclear which PRMT5 functions underlie its oncogenic activity.
- A previously unknown modulator of purinergic and FGF-signalization, c-Answer, that stimulates regeneration in cold-blooded animals was lost by poorly regenerating warm-blooded animals, including humans
science news
X.18 A group of scientists from the Laboratory of Molecular Bases of Embryogenesis, IBCh RAS, together with colleagues from the Laboratory of Mathematical Methods and Models in Bioinformatics, IPPI RAS developed a bioinformatics method that allows one to reveal genes that appear or disappear at a certain stage of evolution. Using this method, a number of genes were found that disappeared in warm-blooded animals, including humans.
- Peptides encoded by short open reading frames regulate plant growth and development
science news
IX.5 All genomes contain millions of short open reading frames (<100 codons) that are discarded during genome annotation. Recently, it has been shown that peptides encoded by short open reading frames can perform many important functions in animal cells.
Events 
- LIGHTS ON: Molecular Imaging of disease dynamics in vivo
science news
IX.27 X.11 (This event is over) Abhijit De PhD Scientific Officer ‘F’ and Principal Investigator Head, Molecular Functional Imaging Lab Advanced Centre of Training Research and Education in Cancer, Tata Memorial Centre, Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, India.
- Seminar "Molecular Brain": Anton Maximov
science news
X.8 (This event is over) The seminar will be held on the 8th of October at 3 pm in the Small lecture hall (3rd floor, BON, IBCh). Everyone is welcome!
- II Joint Life Sciences Forum: VI Russian Congress on Biochemistry and IX Russian Symposium «Proteins and Peptides»
conferences
X.1–6 (This event is over) Dear Colleagues! We are pleasure to invite you to participate the VI Russian Congress on Biochemistry, which will be held in Sochi, Russia (Dagomys Hotel) on October 1-6, 2019.