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Tissue 'glue' also helps swallow dead cells

A protein that sticks cells together has been found to also help engulf dead cells, a discovery that could lead to new clues for understanding chronic inflammatory conditions. The study found that the 'tissue glue' helps cells adapt to swallow dead cells, which are a major cause of inflammation.

SourceCenter for Genomic Regulation·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 27, 2026

Understanding the mechanisms of collective cell movement

A team of researchers at Kyoto University has discovered that the protein ZO-1 plays a crucial role in collective cell migration by riding ERK activation waves to podosomes on the basal cell surface. This movement enhances force generation, extracellular matrix degradation, and invasive cell migration.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Communications·TypeObservational study·DateMay 22, 2026

Biologists reveal ancient form of cell adhesion

Biologists have discovered that the talin protein is crucial for successful cell adhesion in animals, a mechanism likely developed from single-celled organisms. The study reveals the evolutionary conservation of this ancient adhesion mechanism, providing new insights into the origins of animal tissues and organs.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 12, 2025

What makes cells migrate – and what can stop them

A team of scientists from the University of Konstanz has identified the PPM1F enzyme as essential for cell migration in both embryonic development and tumor cell invasion. The study found that increased levels of PPM1F enhance the invasive potential of cancer cells, while its absence impairs cell adhesion and migration.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalBMC Biology·DateJul 24, 2025

Neighborhood dispute among cells: Whichever successfully exerts force wins

Researchers discovered a previously unknown mechanism in mechanical cell competition, where stronger "winner" cells exert more mechanical forces to outcompete weaker "loser" cells. The finding challenges classical interpretation of cell competition and suggests that active resistance to elimination is the key factor in survival.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Materials·TypeObservational study·DateMar 17, 2025

Droplet forming power is key for cells to attach properly

Researchers at Kobe University discovered that the molecule afadin plays a crucial role in cell adhesion by facilitating droplet formation. This process is essential for organs to form properly and tissues to develop, with significant implications for cancer metastasis and tissue engineering.

SourceKobe University·JournalCell Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 26, 2025

Novel bifacial linker developed to prevent heterointerfacial delamination in flexible perovskite solar cells

A novel bifacial linker, potassium benzyl(trifluoro)borate (BnBF3K), has been developed to prevent heterointerfacial delamination in flexible perovskite solar cells. This study significantly enhances device performance and mechanical stability by optimizing adhesion at the SnO2/perovskite interface.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 23, 2025

Innovative apatite nanoparticles for advancing the biocompatibility of implanted biodevices

Researchers developed surface-modified apatite coatings using pH control to enhance cell adhesion and improve the biocompatibility of implants. The study found that controlling the nanoscale surface layer of apatite nanoparticles leads to better binding affinity with biological tissues.

SourceNagaoka University of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2025

New ways to modulate cell activity remotely

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a protein called Melt that can be toggled by temperature, allowing for precise control over cellular pathways. The breakthrough enables non-invasive therapy options for cancer treatment and basic research, potentially leading to more targeted and less toxic treatments.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 29, 2025

Physical signals as fate deciders: How mechanical forces extrude cells from tissues

Physical signals from mechanical forces play a crucial role in determining the fate of cells being extruded from tissues. The study reveals that the intensity and duration of these forces determine whether dead or live cells are eliminated, with implications for tissue homeostasis and cancer progression.

SourceMax Planck Institute for the Science of Light·JournalNature Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2025

UBCO researchers engineer DNA to mimic biological catch bonds

Researchers have developed an artificial adhesion system that closely mimics natural biological interactions, enabling precise control over its strength under varying forces. The innovative 'fish-hook' bond has vast potential in materials science and medicine, inspiring responsive materials and force-sensitive drug delivery systems.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 2, 2024

Study shows how high blood sugar increases risk of thrombosis

Researchers from Brazil's Center for Research on Redox Processes in Biomedicine found that high blood sugar can cause thrombosis by altering endothelial function and promoting platelet adhesion. They identified a specific molecular mechanism involving protein disulfide isomerase A1 as a key regulator of this process.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalJournal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis·DateNov 6, 2024

Adhesive comes unglued on command

A new type of mussel-inspired adhesive has been developed that can be deactivated 'on command' through oxidation, allowing for efficient repair and recycling. The biobased adhesive loses its stickiness without becoming dramatically hydrophobic, making it easier to remove.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2024

Nature inspires a breakthrough: scientists develop revolutionary egg white-based bioink for advanced tissue engineering

Terasaki Institute scientists have created a novel bioink derived from egg whites, offering abundant proteins and excellent biocompatibility. This breakthrough technology has the potential to create more accurate tissue models for drug testing and develop functional tissue replacements for regenerative medicine applications.

SourceTerasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 29, 2024

Robots face the future

The team, led by Professor Shoji Takeuchi, created a layer of skin that can bind to complex forms of humanoid robots, granting them increased mobility and self-healing abilities. The research has potential applications in the cosmetics industry, medical research, and robotics.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 25, 2024

How seaweed became multicellular

Researchers found that macroalgae acquired new genes for cell adhesion, differentiation, communication, and transport from viruses, which played a critical role in their evolution to multicellularity. The study provides valuable genomic resources for further studies on the biology of macroalgae.

SourceCell Press·JournalMolecular Plant·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 12, 2024

Unveiling the mechanism of 3D folding of cell sheets

A Kyoto University team reveals the Dumpy protein as the key factor in controlling 3D tissue structures through external cues. This finding challenges traditional understanding of morphogenesis and opens up new avenues for manufacturing controllable 3D tissue folding with coordinated cell behaviors.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

Demonstrating the significance of individual molecules during mechanical stress in cells

Researchers at the University of Münster have developed a new method to study the function of individual molecules during mechanical stress in cells. They used a light-sensitive molecule to alter proteins and apply short light pulses to control their movement, allowing them to investigate the mechanical significance of these proteins.

SourceUniversity of Münster·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

A twisted cell-cell adhesion molecule complex structure revealed by single-molecule fluorescence microscopy and high-speed atomic force microscopy

Researchers have elucidated the mechanism of CELSR cadherin dimerization, revealing a twisted cell-cell adhesion molecule complex structure. The extracellular domains of CELSR cadherins exhibited strand- and globule-like portions, which bound through strand-like structures in an antiparallel orientation.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2023

Creating a blueprint for optimized ear tubes and other implantable fluid-transporting devices

Researchers have developed a new ear tube design that combines liquid-infused materials with optimized geometry to improve treatment outcomes for patients with ear infections. The design enables better performance and reduces complications such as impaired hearing and scarring of the eardrum.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalScience Translational Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 5, 2023

INCIDER fluorescent sensors visualize sticky situations

Researchers from Osaka University developed a new fluorescent sensor system to visualize N-cadherin-mediated interactions between living cells. The INCIDER system enables accurate tracking of temporal changes in these interactions, with a fluorescence signal 70 times stronger than existing methods.

SourceOsaka University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 15, 2022

Visualization of binding processes of cell-cell adhesion molecules in solution

The study reveals multiple dimeric structures of cadherins in solution, including W-, cross-, and S-shaped dimers. The researchers propose a novel conformation, the S-shaped dimer, and suggest that binding mechanism progresses through sliding motion followed by flipping motion to form stable SS-dimers.

SourceNational Institutes of Natural Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 18, 2022

Getting sticky with it: Phospholipid found to play a key role in epithelial cell adhesion

Researchers found phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate (PIP2) essential for epithelial cell-cell adhesion and maintaining cellular identity. PIP2 regulates epithelial properties by recruiting Par3 to the plasma membrane, facilitating the formation of adherens junctions and preventing epithelial-mesenchymal transformation.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022

Healing nerves on spider silk

Researchers have produced double-sided spider silk fibers that can attract nerve cells and stimulate their growth. The fibers were created using a biotechnological approach and modified with different proteins to make one side more attractive to cells, while the other side could be used to attach factors or substances.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 4, 2022

Visceral surgery: Gut bacteria aggravate adhesions after abdominal surgery

Researchers have discovered that intestinal bacteria can lead to more severe adhesions after abdominal surgery. The study found that mesothelial cells and EGFR signaling play a crucial role in the formation of these adhesions. The findings suggest that targeting EGFR may be a potential approach to reducing adhesion risk.

SourceInselspital, Bern University Hospital·JournalNature Communications·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateDec 16, 2021

Under arrest: Using nanofibers to stop brain tumor cells from spreading

A team of researchers from Japan has developed a platform using nanofibers to capture and control the migration of brain tumor cells, including glioblastoma multiforme. The study found that varying fiber densities can slow or speed up cell movement, leading to the creation of 'cell traps' that can restrict tumor cell growth.

SourceUniversity of Fukui·JournalACS Applied Bio Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 21, 2021