Cell membranes deform when viruses detach and during cell division, thanks to the ESCRT-III protein complex forming a molecular spring. Researchers used high-speed atomic force microscopy to observe the complex's movements in real-time, validating their theoretical models.
A study led by Mount Sinai researchers identifies zinc finger protein 217 (ZFP217) as a factor that regulates stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, potentially balancing medically useful qualities for therapeutic applications. The discovery builds on understanding epigenetic mechanisms controlling gene expression.
Research at the John Innes Centre reveals that plant stem cells actively regulate their size to develop organs properly. The study shows that maintaining uniform cell sizes is crucial for organ formation, similar to pixel sizes in digital images.
A study published in Molecular Cell reveals that cells have adaptive mechanisms to maintain perfect timing despite varying starting conditions. This finding has significant implications for understanding how cells avoid errors that promote cancer development and can inform the creation of robust mechanisms for synthetic life.
Franziska Michor is awarded the NYSCF -- Robertson Stem Cell Prize for her interdisciplinary research on cancer genesis, using mathematical models to understand cancer evolution. Her work simulates drug treatment regimens and has been tested in clinical trials for non-small-cell lung cancer and brain tumors.
Researchers have discovered that cell division mechanisms involve an excitable cortex that participates in the process. This excitable state allows for precise control of contractile proteins and enzymes to assemble at the right place and time during cell division, enabling accurate and adaptive management of the cell's shape.
Researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing technology to study gene expression in mouse embryonic stem cells, identifying new genes involved in pluripotency and discovering new subpopulations of cells. The findings provide insights into the links between environment and inter-cell heterogeneity.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have refined a mathematical model that simulates genetic mutations and their impact on cell division. The model's accuracy has been improved through laboratory experiments and is expected to be useful in understanding how certain mutations thrive and reproduce, particularly in the context of cancer.
Early-career cell biologists Clifford Brangwynne, Ahmet Yildiz, and Meng Wang have won the ASCB-Gibco Emerging Leaders Prizes for their groundbreaking research in cell biology. Their work has launched new research fields at the interface of biology and physics.
The American Society for Cell Biology announced the winners of the 2015 Kaluza Prizes, recognizing outstanding graduate student bioscience research. Ten young scientists received cash and travel awards for their contributions to cell biology.
A team of researchers developed a cell sorter based on acoustic waves that can compete with existing fluorescence-activated cell sorters, sorting up to 13,000 cells per second while gently manipulating individual cells. The device is compact, inexpensive, and preserves cell viability and functions.
The Ecological Society of America will create a new network for 21st century STEM professionals in environmental biology with an innovative mindset. The project aims to prepare students for rapidly evolving career tracks and addresses NSF's goal of building the professional STEM workforce for tomorrow.
Synthetic biology holds promise for revolutionizing science and medicine, but its safe and stable application is crucial before being applied in real-world settings. Engineers are working on developing safety infrastructure, including kill switches and microbial sensors, to ensure the reliability and predictability of engineered microbes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have discovered that a yeast vacuole plays a vital role in initiating the cell-division cycle. The study's findings suggest a 'checkpoint mechanism' that prevents cell-cycle progression if essential organelles aren't present, which could lead to new insights into cancer treatment.
Researchers found that HIV's cell-to-cell transmission is the primary mechanism for massive CD4 T cell death, leading to the progression from HIV to AIDS. Disrupting this transmission effectively stopped cell death.
Researchers at Mayo Clinic have discovered a way to potentially reprogram cancer cells back to normalcy by restoring the expression of specific microRNAs. This finding represents an unexpected new biology that provides the code for turning off cancer, offering a potential strategy for cancer therapy.
Researchers define the core set of genes and functions that a bacterial cell needs to sustain life, providing a foundation for new cell engineering approaches. The study identifies 356 essential genes across various microorganisms, enabling the rapid construction of genome-scale cellular growth models.
Researchers discover a single molecule, C/EBPa, can transform a B cell into a macrophage by 'short-circuiting' gene expression. This process involves the convergence of two DNA enhancer pathways, allowing for unnatural transdifferentiation. The findings have significant implications for regenerative medicine and cancer treatment.
A longitudinal study of high school biology instructors reveals that biology dominates STEM education and the workforce increased 50% between 1987 and 2007. However, the same trend also shows that teachers outside their discipline are often assigned to teach outside their capabilities.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania discovered that a ring of protein actin forms between daughter cells to block cytokinesis, controlling when and how this process coordinates all cell players in sperm maturation. The study sheds light on the coordination of stem cell types in niche environments.
A team of Canadian and British researchers has made a breakthrough discovery about the cell division mechanism, finding that chromosomes emit signals to influence microtubule action. This signaling pathway is crucial for the segregation of chromosomes during cytokinesis, a critical step in cell division.
Researchers found that adenoviruses use ceramide lipids to trigger an infection by creating small pores in the cell membrane. The virus then multiplies in the nucleus and infects other cells. This discovery could lead to new anti-viral agents for gene therapy and vaccination.
Researchers discovered a new protein, Callipygian, which aids in cell migration by shutting off proteins at the front edge of cells. The protein helps create the back of a cell, allowing it to move directionally.
Researchers discovered that protein p53 monitors centriole numbers to prevent potentially disastrous cell divisions. Without centrioles, cells are unable to divide due to the presence of p53, which acts as a backup to prevent abnormal cells from forming.
Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg solved a decades-old cell biology puzzle by clarifying the behavior of clathrin proteins, crucial for endocytosis. The team used new imaging techniques to demonstrate that the surface area of the clathrin coat remains constant during endocytosis, only changing its curvature as it draws the cell membrane i...
A special issue of Cell Stem Cell highlights the biology of aging and sex differences in stem cell behavior. Research suggests that estrogen may play a role in increasing lifespan in females, while testosterone may have different effects on males. Scientists are also exploring ways to model late-onset conditions using stem cells.
Researchers have developed high-throughput techniques to quickly and easily give every cell in a sample a unique genetic barcode, enabling scientists to analyze complex tissues at the single-cell level. This breakthrough allows for deeper understanding of cell diversity and gene expression.
A study published in the Journal of Cell Biology suggests that new understanding of cell division can reveal potential targets for cancer therapy. Researchers have identified key steps in cell division and highlighted novel targets that could be inhibited to block cancer cell division.
Researchers at Kobe University have discovered that membrane tension stress plays a key role in regulating cell motility. This finding has significant implications for treating infections and malignant tumors, as it may help identify new approaches to cancer treatment.
Researchers at NYU Langone discovered that mitochondria are essential for stem cell development, directly controlling the growth and maintenance of inner membranes inside mitochondria. The study found that blocking ATP synthase stalled egg cell development from stem cells in fruit flies.
In a study on flowering plants, researchers have discovered a novel cell-elimination system based on an unusual cell fusion. Successful fertilization triggers cell fusion between the persistent synergid cell and the endosperm, leading to inactivation of the persistent synergid cell.
Research reveals FGFR1 amplification in 22.7% of small cell lung cancer tumors, implying applicability to non-small cell lung cancer treatments
Researchers at Walter and Eliza Hall Institute discovered that cancer drug target MCL-1 is crucial for normal blood cell production, but its depletion impairs recovery of the blood cell system after cancer therapy-induced blood cell loss. This finding has important implications for potential cancer treatments involving MCL-1 inhibitors.
Researchers discovered how NORE1A prevents excessive cell proliferation associated with cancer. Overexpressing NORE1A induced cell senescence, whereas removing the protein enhanced cancer-promoting Ras mutations. This study highlights the critical role of NORE1A in regulating tumor growth.
Researchers found that receiving cells respond to pressure on their membranes by stiffening their skeletons to prevent movement away from the attacking cell. This process allows for close proximity of cell membranes, enabling fusion to occur.
Researchers at Griffith University have discovered that mitochondria can transfer genetic material between healthy and cancerous cells, leading to rapid proliferation of tumour cells. This finding has implications for our understanding of human biology and may shed light on other diseases with defective mitochondrial DNA.
The UK government has announced a £40 million investment in synthetic biology, aiming to create biological 'factories' that produce essential products like medicines and chemicals. Three new research centres will be established in Edinburgh, Manchester, and Warwick to boost national research capacity.
Researchers have identified a specific population of stem cells in the skin that exclusively generate and maintain Merkel cells, crucial for touch sensation. Removing these cells led to a permanent reduction in Merkel cells, highlighting their unique role.
A new statistical method for RNA-seq analysis has identified and corrected for hidden structure between cells, revealing new subtypes that may have distinct functions. This breakthrough allows researchers to create more accurate gene-expression profiles and explore cell types in cancers and diseases.
E-cadherin molecules form small clusters of about five molecules, which then recruit more molecules and organize into the adherens junction. The actin cytoskeleton fences these clusters, preventing them from merging to form a belt.
Professor Warburton's book, Stem Cells, Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, surveys current issues in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The book provides overviews of recent progress in stem cell research, including progenitor cell therapies for organ systems.
Scientists discovered a small molecule, 6-thiodG, that can stop cancer cell growth and shrink tumors in mice. The compound works by disrupting the normal way cells maintain telomere length, triggering cell death.
Scientists have discovered that blocking the Notch pathway enables cochlear progenitor cells to proliferate and regenerate hair cells, potentially leading to new treatments for hearing loss. The study reveals a new function of Notch signaling in limiting proliferation and regeneration potential of postnatal cochlear progenitor cells.
The Allen Institute for Cell Science will create dynamic, visual models of cell behavior and share reagents, data, and tools with the scientific community. The initial project, Allen Cell Observatory, aims to accelerate disease research by predicting cell behaviors.
Scientists at McMaster University have discovered that human induced pluripotent stem cells retain a memory of their original tissue type, allowing for more targeted regeneration and therapy development. This breakthrough challenges the conventional thought that any pluripotent human stem cell can be used to generate mature tissue cells.
Researchers at the National University of Singapore have comprehensively described the network of proteins involved in cell-cell adhesions. The study reveals 561 proteins associated with E-cadherin, including adaptor proteins and those involved in cellular transport and protein synthesis.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in mouse embryos and found that a handful of genes are signaling to each other at the two-cell and four-cell stage. This discovery could provide insight into early miscarriages and birth defects.
Six faculty members at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have been named 2014 AAAS Fellows, recognized for their contributions to various fields including virology, cell biology, and cancer research. The awardees include Aviv Bergman, Margaret Kielian, Richard Kitsis, U. Thomas Meier, Robert Singer, and Jan Vijg.
Scientists at Karolinska Institutet have discovered a key role for the signal molecule TGF-beta in regulating brain stem cells' development potential. By understanding this mechanism, researchers hope to develop new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Researchers have used synthetic biology to produce affordable alternatives to anti-malaria drugs, clean fuels, and pharmaceuticals. The technology has the potential to reduce costs by up to 85% for future long-duration space missions, including those to Mars and the Moon.
Researchers reconstituted cytokinesis, the final stage of cell division, using a cell-free system. The system mimics how the cleavage furrow is assembled, with signals directing molecular traffic. This breakthrough expands the scope of study and enables spatial manipulation of components.
Melbourne researchers have discovered the three-dimensional structure of a key cell death protein called Bak and revealed how it causes cell death. The study offers new targets for treating diseases such as lupus, cancers, and neurodegenerative disorders.
The New York Stem Cell Foundation has launched the largest-ever stem cell repository, offering over 600 induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell lines from diverse human subjects. The repository provides a vast resource for scientists to study various diseases, including type 1 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Casp8 activity arose over 500 million years ago and is universally conserved throughout evolution. Key protein interactions between Casp8 and FADD are also observed across the animal kingdom, suggesting a vital cell death toolkit in animal evolution.
A team of scientists has uncovered a new mechanism controlling actin-rich protrusions that aid in cell migration, a process essential for development, wound healing, and immunological responses. GMF protein plays a key role in regulating these protrusions.
A Mount Sinai-led research team has discovered a new kind of stem cell that can become either a liver cell or a blood vessel cell, contradicting current theory on organ development. This discovery may hold clues to the origins of and future treatment for liver cancer.
The University of Pittsburgh has received a $2.9 million grant from the National Science Foundation to establish QUBES, a project aiming to refine quantitative biology pedagogy nationwide. The initiative plans to leverage existing technologies to provide cost-effective solutions for faculty development and undergraduate education.
A new study reveals that individual cells' migration speed changes randomly through successive generations, despite the population's average speed remaining constant. This finding has significant implications for cancer treatment and tissue repair, suggesting a target for drugs to modulate cell migration speed.
Researchers found that the protein BRD4 plays a crucial role in regulating stem cell identity, holding promise for regenerating tissues and organs. The study suggests that inhibiting BRD4 could be used to reprogram stem cells into specific cell types, such as neurons.
A new study recreates the French-flag model of stripe formation by engineering synthetic gene networks in E. coli. Researchers successfully developed a theoretical framework and a mathematical model to understand how genetic information is translated into specific spatial patterns of cellular differentiation.