Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
Researchers discovered iodide phasing is universally applicable to membrane protein structure determination, enabling a molecular-level understanding of biomolecules. This breakthrough accelerates computer-aided drug development and makes it cheaper.
Researchers have discovered a small molecule called hinokitiol that can transport iron across cell membranes, potentially treating iron deficiency and overload. This breakthrough has significant therapeutic potential for addressing various iron-related disorders.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute has successfully engineered human induced pluripotent stem cells into mature podocytes with over 90% efficiency, paving the way for modeling patient-specific kidney diseases and guiding therapeutic discovery. The development of a functional human kidney glomerulus chip opens up new expe...
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have discovered a natural defence mechanism that prevents Mycobacterium tuberculosis from damaging phagosomes, allowing cells to deliver antibacterial components more efficiently. This discovery could help develop treatments for TB without antibiotics.
In liver cancer, Scrib's increased expression suppresses the growth of cancer cells by inhibiting three oncogenes. The study provides the first hard evidence that Scrib functions as a tumor suppressor in human and animal liver cancer.
Researchers at Carnegie Institution develop a method to visualize and measure lipids in real-time as they are metabolized by living fish. This breakthrough allows for a better understanding of cellular functions and the role of lipids in health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Researchers have discovered that doxycycline can reduce α-synuclein aggregation and improve symptoms in animal models of Parkinson's disease. This could lead to a potential treatment option for the degenerative condition.
Researchers have developed a mathematical modeling technique that can quantify details about molecular dynamics in cells. The technique was applied to study RNA localization in egg cells and provided new insights into the process.
Researchers develop nanosponges that capture and inactivate bacterial toxins, reducing cellular damage and disease severity. The new approach shows promise as a treatment for severe or antibiotic-resistant streptococcal infections.
Researchers at the University of Maryland have identified how Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses tension-activated membrane channels to resist osmotic downshocks. The bacterium's ability to survive sudden changes in water content is crucial for its persistence in various environments.
Researchers discovered a mechanism that controls the length of a bacterial flagellum's rod, which transfers torque to propel the bacterium. The study found that an outer membrane tethering protein plays a crucial role in regulating the flagellum's dimensions.
Researchers have discovered a set of proteins that delays the 'executioner' machinery killing damaged or infected cells in necroptosis. The rescue treatments may prevent injuries to transplanted organs and help prevent cancer spread.
Researchers have discovered new structural details of the angiotensin II receptor AT2R using X-ray free electron laser technology. The findings could speed the development of new compounds addressing cardiovascular conditions, neuropathic pain and tissue growth.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that malaria parasites change the properties of red blood cells to facilitate entry, making them more susceptible to infection. This discovery suggests that naturally flexible cells may be easier for parasites to invade, prompting further investigation into host-directed therapies.
A team of scientists used Met Office technology to study climate change and predicted the behavior of proteins within human cells. They discovered that tail-anchored membrane proteins are routed to specific organelles based on their chemical properties, such as charge and hydrophobicity.
Researchers at TU Wien have found a way to explain the reasons why oxygen does not always enter fuel cells effectively. By making targeted alterations to the surface of fuel cells on an atomic scale and taking measurements simultaneously, they discovered that strontium atoms cause problems and cobalt can be useful in fuel cells.
Researchers have developed a new method to deliver large and diverse cargos directly into cells with high efficiency and no lasting damage. The team used gold pyramid-shaped microstructures and nanosecond laser pulses to create brief pores in the cell membrane, allowing molecules to diffuse into the cell.
Researchers have developed fluorescent compounds that demonstrate how membrane lipids hop in and out of specialized regions called raft domains at unexpectedly fast rates. This discovery reveals a large paradigm shift in the research field, suggesting that raft-associated lipids are not stably localized in these domains.
Researchers at MIT developed a strategy to make tumor cells more susceptible to certain types of cancer treatment by coating them with nanoparticles. The particles increase the forces exerted on the cells, making them more likely to die, and were found to be 50% more effective in tests in mice.
A team of scientists has identified a previously unknown mechanism that keeps transposable elements from causing harm by detaining them at the cell membrane. This discovery opens up new avenues for research on similar mechanisms in other organisms.
Researchers discovered proteasomes embedded in nerve cell membranes, degrading proteins and expelling peptides that carry essential signals. This finding suggests a new role for proteasomes in cell-to-cell communications and raises questions about neurological disease.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a synthetic ion channel molecule with two distinct openings, allowing for different-shaped paths into a cell. The molecule's rotation and attachment to lipids control its conductance states, offering potential insights into the unique functioning of these channels in living organisms.
Researchers from MIPT and their international collaborators have developed a novel method to crystallize membrane proteins using synthetic patches called nanodiscs. This approach enables the transfer of membrane proteins into lipidic cubic phase for crystal growth, preserving their functional state and enabling high-resolution X-ray di...
Researchers have created a world-first synthetic receptor that can respond to chemical signals like its natural equivalent, enabling the study of cellular communication. The breakthrough has the potential to advance biotechnology and treat medical conditions caused by faulty communication.
New animal research suggests that consuming walnuts can improve sperm motility and morphology in mice, key predictors of male fertility. Walnuts are predominantly comprised of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), which may be essential for sperm function.
EHD proteins assemble on the surface of cells to create vesicles, which are used to transport molecules and transmit neural signals. The molecular machines reorganize membrane structure through ring-like formations.
A recent study published in Developmental Cell reveals that surface cells play a key role in coordinating tissue movements during early zebrafish development. By reducing surface tension, these cells drive both surface cell layer expansion and inner cell intercalation, resulting in coordinated tissue spreading.
Researchers at UCSB discovered a way to confer electricity-generating ability on non-electrogenic bacteria by feeding them synthetic iron-containing molecules. This technique has potential applications for sustainable electricity generation and wastewater treatment.
An international team of researchers has developed a cell culture model that can reproduce the major elements of drusen, the hallmark deposit of AMD. The model confirms that RPE cells in early AMD are functional and that Bruch's membrane conditions play a key role in disease progression.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have designed a novel nanoparticle-based delivery system to enhance CRISPR/Cas9's treatment potential for genetic diseases. The new delivery method achieved an editing efficiency of about 30 percent in cultured cells, with successful nuclear delivery in approximately 90 percent of cells.
A new type of bacterial structure with pore-like features has been discovered in Gemmata obscuriglobus, a complex bacterium. The finding suggests that the evolution of complex cell structures may not be unique to eukaryotes.
A planctomycete bacterium has been found to contain internal membranes with nuclear pore-like structures, which share protein domains with eukaryotic nuclear pore complexes. This discovery may provide insight into the evolution of the cell nucleus and its membrane envelope.
A study has identified a new target for controlling cell division, which could lead to insights into diseases such as cancer. The research found that enzymes responsible for lipid synthesis are synthesized at higher efficiency when cells are ready to divide.
Cholesterol is found predominantly in the outer layer of cell membranes, where it transmits signals across the membrane. In cancer cells, high levels of cholesterol are associated with suppressed growth activity, suggesting a new way to treat cancer through pharmacological modulation.
Researchers found that B cells can capture proteins from pathogens and the body's own cells, leading to autoimmune inflammation. This error in protein uptake can trigger autoaggressive T cells, potentially causing autoimmune diseases.
Scientists have discovered that a man-made version of soluble gp130, or sgp130, can inhibit inflammation in the eye and prevent retinal destruction associated with diabetes. The new molecule, called sgp130-Fc, has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve vision in mouse models of diabetic retinopathy.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new tool called optoDroplet that allows them to manipulate and understand the chemistry of membraneless organelles in living cells. The study reveals how proteins assemble into different liquid and gel-like solid states, which is crucial for understanding various cellular operations.
A new type of activated carbon, cellular activated carbon, has been produced with a bimodal structure featuring both micro and mesopores. The material exhibits high adsorption kinetics due to its larger pores, making it suitable for various industries such as energy storage and catalysis.
Researchers discovered that cadherin clusters prevent cortical deformation by acting as structural anchors in the cell membrane. This new function of non-junctional cadherin clusters regulates cortical movement and stability, allowing for essential processes like cytokinesis to occur without dramatic changes.
Bacteriorhodopsin, a key protein in cell membranes, uses light to transport protons and create a charge difference. Researchers used time-resolved serial femtosecond crystallography to determine the proton pump mechanism, shedding light on a long-standing debate.
Scientists develop a nanoparticle-based method for delivering therapeutic molecules into cells, enabling the induction of strong immune responses against various viruses and diseases. The technique, which harnesses electrically activated gold nanoparticles, demonstrates safety and efficacy in animal studies.
A research team analyzed PFIA membrane samples using infrared spectroscopy to understand water retention. They found that PFIA is better at managing water in low humidity conditions, retaining it through a hydrogen-bonded network. This improvement is crucial for further optimizing membranes and extending their operational area.
Rare type 2 innate lymphocytes found in meninges around the brain may play a critical role in battling Alzheimer's, multiple sclerosis, and other neurological diseases. The discovery suggests these cells could be the missing link between the brain and gut microbiota.
Researchers create single-step synthesis of cyclic depsipeptides in large sizes, up to 60 atoms, with controlled size distribution. The new process enables efficient production of bioactive molecules for various applications, including antibiotics and pesticides.
Recent experiments by Loessner and his group have shown that L-forms are an independent form of life that can multiply indefinitely. They form a crazy network of vesicles with elastic connector tubes, enabling them to exchange cytoplasm and multiply without cell walls or genetic material.
Researchers have created a virus-like delivery system that can transport custom cargo from one cell to another, using blueprints that instruct human cells to assemble the system. The system uses self-propelled nanocages that mimic how viruses transfer their infectious contents between cells.
Researchers have developed a living membrane using conditionally immortalized human renal proximal tubular epithelial cells on polyethersulfone-based hollow fiber membranes. This breakthrough brings the development of a bioartificial kidney closer to reality, offering hope for millions of patients with kidney failure.
Researchers developed a machine learning classifier to discover membrane-active peptides with diverse sequences. The approach identified new peptides with broad biomedical implications, including immunotherapy and anticancer therapeutics.
Researchers at TSRI have found that Piezo 1 directly senses force by detecting tension in the cell membrane. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing better pain medications and exploring future therapies for hypertension, hemophilia, and other diseases.
A study by Washington University School of Medicine researchers found that blocking the production of fat inside immune cells may prevent chronic inflammation in people with diabetes. This could have a profound impact on health and potentially lead to new treatments for cancer and other conditions.
University of California, Irvine researchers employed a graphene sensor to monitor changes in mitochondria, indicating the start of programmed cell death. The study found two electrochemical gradients in energy production, altering scientific understanding of cellular function.
Researchers discovered that small hydrophobic nanoparticles can insert into lipid membranes but superhydrophobic ones can escape spontaneously. This finding may lead to revised security norms for nanomaterials and raises concerns about public health and environmental toxicity.
Researchers at RIT are developing new, ultrathin, transparent glass membranes for in vitro tissue models and barrier cell studies. These membranes will enable easier physical and biochemical communication between cells, advancing tissue engineering and drug discovery.
A study led by SUNY Downstate researchers found that inhibiting liver sphingolipid de novo synthesis in early life impairs adherens junctions and promotes tumorigenesis. Sphingomyelin supplementation partially corrects the defect, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for metabolic diseases.
A new imaging method has captured the daily disposal and regeneration of photoreceptor cells in a living human eye, revealing crucial insights into blinding diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. The study's findings have the potential to improve our understanding of vision and eye health.
Researchers at the Babraham Institute successfully tagged a protein in the mTORC1 complex to observe its movement in real time. The discovery sheds light on how mTORC1 regulates cell growth and ageing, revealing new insights into its dynamics and signalling pathways.
A study by Lund University researcher Pontus Nordenfelt reveals how cells move using integrins, actin, and an adaptor protein. The technique enables measuring mechanical force acting on integrins, which could lead to targeted drugs to strengthen the immune system against infections.
Researchers at KIT discovered that scavenger cells play a crucial role in repairing torn muscle fibers by removing repair patches and restoring normal cell membrane structure. This process requires the aid of macrophages roaming within the muscle, and a short amino acid sequence in the dysferlin repair protein.
Researchers at Penn Dental Medicine developed a plant-made antimicrobial peptide that rapidly kills tooth-decay-causing bacteria and thwarts biofilm formation. The peptide, combined with an enzyme, breaks down the oral biofilm matrix, promoting wound healing and bone regeneration.
Researchers found that increased cell membrane fluidity enhances auranofin's ability to induce DNA damage and cellular oxidation in ovarian cancer cells. This could lead to improved treatment outcomes by increasing the drug's effectiveness against cancer cells with fluid membranes.