Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
A study published in Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science reveals that cells multiplying on the eye's lens surface push neighboring cells towards the equator, mirroring a carnival game's coin movement. This insight may help scientists understand how the eye maintains its shape and develop cataracts.
The Vanderbilt-Pittsburgh Resource for Predictive Toxicology aims to develop alternative approaches for toxicity testing, focusing on 3-D human cell cultures. The center will expose these cultures to a range of previously studied toxic chemicals to predict their effects on humans.
Scientists at the University of Manchester have created an enhanced surface for silicone breast implants that mimics the body's own skin cells. This new surface reduces foreign body reactions and may help lower the risk of capsular contracture, a common complication after breast implant surgery. The study suggests that this biomimetic ...
The smart bandage detects early tissue damage from pressure ulcers, also known as bedsores, by exploiting electrical changes that occur when a healthy cell starts dying. It uses impedance spectroscopy to create a spatial map of the underlying tissue based on the flow of electricity at different frequencies.
Researchers discovered that graphene's naturally occurring defects allow hydrogen protons to cross the barrier at unprecedented speeds, creating water channels. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient separation membranes for desalination and a new design for fuel cells.
Researchers discovered that slightly imperfect single-layer graphene can shuttle protons from one side to the other in mere seconds, outperforming conventional membranes. This new mechanism could lead to improved fuel cell design and fast-charging batteries for transportation.
Researchers at Cornell University have modeled a methane-based, oxygen-free life form that can metabolize and reproduce like life on Earth. The theorized cell membrane, called an azotosome, is composed of small organic nitrogen compounds and shows stability and flexibility similar to Earth's phospholipid membranes.
Electrical engineers at ETH Zurich and biologists from the University of Bern have developed a new method to record the activity of moving cells, including beating cardiac muscle cells. The new method combines the patch-clamp technique with an atomic force microscope, allowing for longer measurements and automation.
Scientists discovered cells can sense mechanical property of their environment at the single molecule level, showing ultra-sensitivity for strong molecular forces. This finding has implications for understanding basic physiological processes like embryo development and tumor metastasis.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered that Ras protein misregulation is linked to cell shape. By targeting changes in membrane curvature, they hope to develop new ways to diagnose and treat cancers.
Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) enzymes play a role in inflammatory diseases. Researchers created 3D models that show how PLA2 enzymes extract substrates from cell membranes, triggering inflammation. These models could help design and develop specific PLA2 inhibitor drugs.
Researchers found a link between common dietary fatty acids, CD36, and oxidized LDL uptake in cells. The discovery may contribute to the pathophysiology of diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Scientists at ETH Zurich develop a method to produce pre-structured cellulose materials with three-dimensional micro-structures, enhancing biocompatibility. This leads to reduced inflammation and rejection reactions when using artificial implants.
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.
New evidence from Johns Hopkins researchers reveals that RNA granules have a dynamic envelope that stabilizes them, separating them from the surrounding watery space. This discovery provides insight into how cells organize their contents and activities.
A microfluidic system enables serial formation of cell membranes and measurement of processes taking place on them. The system allows for the creation of stable and functional membranes, opening the road to high-throughput studies of cell membrane mechanisms.
Two studies found a unique molecule that can repair damaged nerve cells by locating and clearing out bad cells. The phosphatidylserine receptor (PSR-1) also helps reconnect broken nerve fibers in the regeneration process.
Researchers discovered that filopodia, finger-like structures on cell membranes, can extend, contract, and bend in dynamic movements. A twist-based mechanism involving the actin internal 'skeleton' enables these movements, allowing cells to interact with their environment.
Researchers develop acoustic tweezers that can precisely position groups of cells for study, eliminating the risk of cell damage. The device achieves a throughput of thousands of cells and enables precise control over cell-to-cell contact, paving the way for studies on cellular communication and information transfer.
Researchers created an artificial transporter protein, Rocker, that carries individual atoms across membranes, opening new possibilities for smart molecules. The discovery demonstrates the design of complex functions rivaling those of natural molecular machines.
Researchers found that gravity limits cell size, with a softer-than-jello actin mesh resisting force. The mesh allows flexibility and rigidity in the cell nucleus to support life.
Researchers discovered that protons pass through ultra-thin graphene crystals surprisingly easily, making them attractive for proton-conducting membranes. This breakthrough could improve the efficiency and durability of fuel cells, which use oxygen and hydrogen to convert chemical energy into electricity.
Researchers at Salk Institute develop a powerful dual-drug therapy that doubles the survival rate of mice with lung cancer and halts cancer in pancreatic cells. The treatment combines two existing drugs, Zometa and rapamycin, to successfully target KRAS mutation.
RIT professor Thomas Gaborski is using ultra-thin nano-membranes and adipose stem cells to create functional vascular networks necessary in engineering tissue, skin, and organs. His research aims to address the critical shortage of donor organs and alleviate organ rejection by utilizing a person's own stem cells.
The structure determination of a lipid scramblase reveals a novel protein architecture that enables the transport of lipids across cell membranes. The discovery provides insight into the activation of the protein by calcium and has implications for understanding previously unknown mechanisms of lipid transport.
A new systematic study of lipid membrane-electrolyte interactions provides insights into biological cell function and potential applications in medical diagnostics. The research uses liposomes to model biological membranes and demonstrates the role of ion adsorption in modulating membrane electrical characteristics.
Researchers have created synthetic analogs of biological membrane channels using carbon nanotubes, enabling precise control over ion transport and potential applications in drug delivery, biosensing, and synthetic cells. The discovery holds promise for targeted treatment and precise molecular transport.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego, have developed a new process for self-driving phospholipid membrane assembly, similar to those found in living cells. This non-enzymatic technique can be used for artificial cell studies and potentially for drug delivery packets.
Researchers have identified a novel way to target newly manufactured proteins to the correct location in cells, utilizing a previously unknown compartment called an acidocalcisome. This discovery has implications for understanding protein function and regulation.
Researchers use DNA-based tension probes to measure the mechanical forces at the molecular level, revealing how cells sense and interact with their environment. The study provides a new understanding of cellular mechanics and its significance in various biological processes.
Tiny bubbles can adapt to changing conditions by reorganizing their membranes, allowing them to sense and react to their environment. This emergent behavior could help design microbubbles for targeted drug delivery and offer new ways to tap chemical energy in biological systems.
Researchers have gained new insight into the complex molecular process of cholesterol production by mapping the structure of a key enzyme involved in the process. The study revealed two pockets within the enzyme's architecture that help spark the synthesis of cholesterol, with potential implications for the treatment of high cholesterol.
Researchers quantify physical changes in red blood cells as they mature, finding that surface area loss is the primary factor, despite initial thought to be vesicle shedding. The study's findings could aid in early detection of clinical conditions with altered maturation patterns.
New study challenges existing paradigm on giant cell channels in the brain. Researchers found that these channels do not behave as previously thought, being more restrictive and dependent on channel type.
Researchers at MIT identified a method to boost yeast tolerance to ethanol by adding potassium and hydroxide ions to the growth medium, allowing for higher ethanol production. The approach increased ethanol output by about 80% and expanded to toxic alcohols like propanol and butanol.
Harvard University researchers demonstrate ability to paint ultra-thin coatings onto rough surfaces using thin-film interference, enabling lightweight decorative logos on spacecraft. The technology also holds promise for making flexible electronic devices and advanced solar cells.
A new high-throughput cell-sorting method developed by Yi Zuo can separate 10 billion bacterial cells in just 30 minutes. The method uses surface free energy to sort cells, which could have direct applications for studying bacterial cells, microalgae, and other microbial samples.
Researchers from the University of Southern Denmark have found that nonylphenol inhibits earthworms' ability to protect cells from cold damage, making them more vulnerable. The study also revealed that phenanthrene has an opposite effect, increasing cell membrane fluidity and resistance to cold in both earthworms and springtails.
Researchers have discovered a new cancer drug target, TIPE3, which promotes tumor growth by hijacking lipid signaling pathways. Abnormal expression of TIPE3 has been linked to various types of cancer, including lung, colon, and ovarian cancers, making it a potential therapeutic target for treating malignant diseases.
Recent studies have uncovered the mechanisms that allow bacteria to battle fluoride toxicity. Researchers found that bacteria use two types of proteins, fluoride/hydrogen antiporters and passive channels like Fluc, to rid themselves of unwanted fluoride. This knowledge could lead to new treatments for harmful bacterial diseases.
Researchers have developed an X-ray stroboscope to study the movement of lipid molecules, revealing their dynamic properties and behavior. The technique allows for high-resolution imaging of molecular structure and dynamics, shedding light on the biology of cell membranes.
Scientists used computer modeling to trace water channels in cell surface receptors (GPCRs), discovering their role in signal transduction. The study suggests that targeting these internal water pathways could lead to the development of more efficient drugs.
Researchers found that banked blood membranes become stiffer over time, decreasing the cells' functionality and ability to carry oxygen into tiny microcapillaries. This decrease in functionality can lead to major clinical problems, such as impaired oxygen transport in the brain.
The research team has found that larger surface areas of cells lead to reduced performance, but can be overcome by building modules with smaller cells connected in series or parallel. They have also developed a new automatic structuring technique to connect cells without damaging the substrate.
A team of scientists from Lund University has successfully created artificial cell membranes on vertical nanowires, mimicking the curved shape of natural membranes. This breakthrough could lead to new insights into membrane dynamics and target protein interactions in pharmaceutical research.
Researchers at Penn and NIH found a novel mechanism of cell movement in 3D matrices, where the nucleus acts as a piston to propel cells forward. This discovery has implications for understanding diseases like cancer and biofilm formation.
Researchers at Duke University have uncovered a 'roving detection system' on cell surfaces that may lead to new cancer therapies. The system involves receptors that search for signals to guide cell movement, potentially allowing for the prevention of metastasis and other diseases.
Researchers discovered that commonly used NSAIDs alter the activity of enzymes within cell membranes, which can lead to unwanted side effects. This finding provides a basis for a test to predict and avoid these side effects in new medicines.
A study has restored a missing repair protein in skeletal muscle of patients with muscular dystrophy. Proteasome inhibitors enabled mutated dysferlin proteins to regain function and repair damaged muscle membranes.
Researchers at UCL used mathematical modeling to find that life's Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) had a 'leaky' membrane, enabling it to harness energy from its surroundings. This discovery answers two big questions in biology: how cells harvest energy and why bacteria and archaea have different cell membranes.
Researchers have identified a protein called MurJ that is essential to the survival of E. coli bacteria, making it a potential new target for antibiotics. Inhibiting MurJ would require getting past just one of the two membranes, making it an attractive new target in the age of resistant pathogens.
A common genetic defect affects neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's by impairing microglial waste removal. This leads to accumulation of toxic protein deposits, triggering inflammatory reactions that promote further nerve-cell loss.
Researchers at Monash and Melbourne Universities have determined the basic structure of one of two known families of deceptive proteins used by viruses. The discovery is an important step towards producing better vaccines and drugs to fight viral disease.
A new study found that cancer cells' thick sugar coating enhances their survival by altering cell signaling pathways. The coating causes the cell membrane to change shape, leading to unchecked growth and increased lethality for cancer patients.
Shanghai researchers create a new antibacterial material by coating titanium with gold nanoparticles, which effectively kills bacteria and promotes bone growth. This innovative approach may lead to improved implant surfaces and reduced surgical complications.
Whitehead Institute scientists have genetically modified red blood cells to carry valuable payloads, including drugs, vaccines, and imaging agents. The approach uses sortagging, a protein-labeling technique that establishes strong chemical bonds between surface proteins and therapeutic substances.
Researchers have found a way to deliver proteins directly into live human cells, bypassing the need to damage or kill the cell membrane. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize medical research and treatment of diseases, including cancer and regenerative medicine.
Researchers have created nanoparticles that can deliver and exchange complementary molecules inside cells. The nanocarriers, 15 nanometers in diameter, navigate through the membrane and sequenceally deliver their cargo, enabling exclusive interaction between internalized molecules.
Bacteria have been found to use new mechanisms to produce lipids, which can be used for industrial manufacture and pharmaceutical applications. Researchers have identified enzymes that can generate multiple different lipids, including phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin.
Researchers created a single layer of nanoparticles on a liquid surface where properties can be easily switched. The DNA-coated nanoparticles' interactions and reorganization at the lipid interface affect their properties.