Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a key molecule that stimulates protein synthesis. It has been found to extend the lifespan of a soil-living roundworm.Biologists at the Regional Centre for Biotechnology in Faridabad, India, have discovered that dietary AKG could alleviate COVID-19-induced lung damage in hamsters1. AKG protects the lungs by reducing clot formation in blood vessels and […]

Dietary restriction (DR) extends healthy lifespan in diverse species. Age and nutrient-related changes in the abundance of microRNAs (miRNAs) and their processing factors have been linked to organismal longevity. However, the mechanisms by which they modulate lifespan and the tissue-specific role of miRNA-mediated networks in DR-dependent enhancement of lifespan remains largely unexplored. This study shows […]

Adhesion to the host surface is the prerequisite for bacterial colonization, biofilm formation, and niche adaptation. The bacterial attachment is often facilitated through cell surface appendages called pili. In addition to adhesion, the pili also play a role in biofilm formation, immunomodulation, pathogenesis, and probiotic behaviours. The pili are usually composed of three protein subunits […]

Viruses with positive-sense single stranded RNA (+ssRNA) genomes are responsible for different diseases and represent a global health problem. In addition to developing new vaccines that protect against severe illness on infection, it is imperative to identify new antiviral molecules to treat infected patients. The genome of these RNA viruses generally codes for an enzyme […]

Bacterial attachment to host surfaces is the first and critical step in colonization, biofilm formation, and infection. Bacterial ability to attach to biotic and abiotic surfaces is also the primary concern for many medical and food industries. Bacteria often assemble hair-like decorative proteinaceous appendages called pili or fimbriae on their surface to facilitate initial interaction […]