Academic Background RNA (ribonucleic acid) is a crucial molecule in living organisms, involved in various biological processes such as gene expression, regulation, and catalysis. Although a significant portion of the human genome is transcribed into RNA, the structural study of RNA molecules remains a major challenge. RNA molecules typically exhibi...

In Vitro Model of Vertebrate Trunk Development Academic Background The development of the vertebrate trunk is a highly coordinated process involving the generation and organization of multiple cell types. At the core of this process are progenitor cells located in the posterior of the embryo, which differentiate into tissues such as the neural tube...

Academic Background Protein self-assembly is a ubiquitous phenomenon in biological systems, performing a wide range of functions from structural support to biochemical regulation. Despite significant progress in protein design in recent years, existing self-assembling protein structures typically rely on strict symmetry, which limits their size and...

Academic Background Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a severe X-linked recessive disorder characterized by progressive muscle wasting, leading to premature mortality. The cause of DMD is mutations in the gene encoding dystrophin, a protein that, along with other proteins at the muscle cell membrane, forms the Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex (DG...

Design of Four-Component Protein Nanocages through Programmed Symmetry Breaking Academic Background Protein nanocages are highly symmetric protein assemblies widely used in vaccine development, drug delivery, and nanomaterial design. In nature, viruses often construct complex structures through symmetry breaking, particularly in high triangulation ...

Academic Background The tumor microenvironment (TME) is a critical area in cancer research, where tumor cells interact with surrounding non-tumor cells to influence disease progression and therapeutic responses. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a pivotal role in tumor growth, angiogenesis, and immune suppression. Recently, the role of metab...

Structure-Guided Development of Selective Caseinolytic Protease P Agonists as Antistaphylococcal Agents Academic Background Staphylococcus aureus is a common Gram-positive pathogen that can cause various human infections, including skin and soft tissue infections. With the widespread dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRS...

The Role of the Neonatal Gut Microbiota in the Encephalopathy of Prematurity: A Comprehensive Study Academic Background Premature birth (defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation) is a common issue globally, affecting approximately 10% of pregnancies. Preterm infants are at risk of abnormal brain development, known as Encephalopathy of Prematur...

Mechanism of Proton Release during Water Oxidation in Photosystem II Academic Background Photosystem II (PSII) is the only enzyme in nature capable of catalyzing water splitting, a reaction that not only releases oxygen but also provides electrons for biomass synthesis. The water-splitting reaction releases protons into the thylakoid lumen, forming...

Research Background The asymmetric distribution of proteins in single-cell embryos is a critical step in cell polarity and development. This asymmetry often relies on complex reaction-diffusion mechanisms and involves multiple feedback loops. In the one-cell embryo of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans), the RNA-binding proteins MEX-5 and MEX-6, al...