Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
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.
University of Pennsylvania researchers have developed a novel method to create stable, onion-like vesicles using dendrimers. By controlling the concentration of dendrimers, they can produce vesicles with multiple layers, allowing for sequential release of drugs and potential clinical applications.
Researchers found that Siberian hamsters require dietary cholesterol to enter daily torpor during winter. The minimum amount of cholesterol necessary for winter daily torpor is around 0.3%, similar to the amount found in insect larvae.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have developed nanopatches to alter surface properties, enabling stem cells to differentiate and behave like those grown on soft surfaces. This breakthrough enhances the potential of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.
Researchers have developed a novel technique to detect cell toxicity in real-time during drug screening, using DNA-binding fluorescent dyes. Four dyes were identified as safe and impermeable to cells, enabling the detection of cell death during high-throughput screening.
Researchers at UCI have discovered a new role for estrogen receptors on the surface of cells, which collaborate with nuclear receptors to regulate organ development and function. The study has significant implications for understanding estrogen's role in diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and bone disease.
Researchers identify Bmp7 molecule as key player in establishing auditory system organization and positioning of sensory cells. The study offers insight into how hair cells learn to detect specific frequencies, shedding light on a fundamental principle of the auditory system.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute identified a heart-specific form of protein BIN1 responsible for sculpting tiny folds in pockets on the surface of heart muscle cells. These microfolds trap chemicals controlling heartbeat, protecting against arrhythmia and heart failure.
Researchers at UBC have discovered a key enzyme, MMP12, that plays a crucial role in deploying the antiviral protein Interferon alpha. The team has developed a new drug that blocks this enzyme, keeping Interferon alpha levels high and boosting the immune system's response to viral infections.
EPFL scientists have discovered a new relationship between cell shape and migration efficiency, explaining how cells move using a simple model of liquid droplets. The study found that spherical cells are faster movers, and this phenomenon is influenced by surface characteristics.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a novel method to detect the subcellular location of proteins, which will enable improved patient monitoring and drug development. The technique allows for rapid screening of large cell populations with high resolution, revealing heterogeneity among cells.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a novel method to study the membranes of living cells by using size-based chromatography. This approach allows them to probe supramolecular structures in cell membranes at the nanometer length scales, providing insights into how spatial organization affects cellular function.
Physicists Luca Giomi and Antonio DeSimone simulated the spontaneous emergence of cell motility and division in artificial cells using a simplified model. They found that by controlling one physical parameter, they could reproduce similar effects observed in experimental observations.
Researchers identify E. coli O157:H7's mechanism of binding to plant cells using flagella structures, allowing it to anchor and multiply on vegetable surfaces. This understanding aims to reduce the risk of food contamination by targeting bacterial attachment.
Scientists have solved a decades-old medical mystery by understanding the mechanism of action of amphotericin, an antifungal drug that has been in use for over 50 years. The researchers found that most of the drug aggregates on the exterior of membranes, extracting sterols out of membranes like a sponge, leading to cell death.
Researchers found that osteoporosis medications inhibit the ability of cells to repair their outer membranes, which can lead to jawbone destruction and other serious side effects. The study suggests that patients taking these drugs should talk to their physicians about potential risks.
Researchers at the University of Basel have developed a method to grow cartilage in the lab, enabling successful nose reconstruction surgery. The technique, known as tissue engineering, uses patients' own cells to create engineered cartilage that is implanted into the defect, resulting in improved functionality and cosmetic appearance.
A team at The Scripps Research Institute has identified a long-sought protein called SWELL1 that regulates cell volume to prevent excessive swelling. The discovery solves a decades-old mystery of cell biology and may lead to new insights into diseases such as immune deficiency, stroke, and diabetes.
The new Research Unit will analyze the assembly of thylakoids using a systematic approach to understand the molecular details of the photosynthetic process. Thylakoids are specialized membrane systems found in some bacterial species and plant cells that capture sunlight and convert it into chemical energy.
Researchers have discovered that zebrafish regenerates its caudal fin by a process involving V-ATPase, which pumps hydrogen ions to generate an electrical current. This finding has implications for understanding adult tissue regeneration and developing new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers discovered that cells use the cdr2p protein to probe their surface area and determine when to divide. The study challenges previous models suggesting that another protein senses cell length.
Researchers found that MP196 peptide disrupts bacterial cell wall biosynthesis and cell respiration, preventing growth. The study suggests MP196's potential in developing new antibiotics without harming human cells.
Scientists have solved the high-resolution structure of the molecular transporter TSPO, which introduces cholesterol into mitochondria. The detailed knowledge of its three-dimensional shape and function opens up new diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.
Researchers at UC Riverside have discovered a new auxin sensing and signaling system localized on the plant cell surface, which explains how leaf epidermal cells form their distinctive jigsaw puzzle-piece shapes. This breakthrough discovery sheds light on the molecular mechanisms underlying various auxin-modulated developmental processes.
Researchers used a nerve growth factor-containing fibrin glue membrane to bridge a sciatic nerve defect, significantly increasing mRNA and protein expression of p75NTR in Schwann cells. This promotes peripheral nerve regeneration.
Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that altering the surface characteristics of a semiconductor material can significantly impact how neural cells grow. The study used gallium nitride and PC12 cells to mimic neural behavior, finding varying degrees of cell adhesion and growth on different textured surfaces.
Researchers have discovered a key function of plant hormone auxin in regulating the organization of the cell's inner skeletons. Auxin interacts with transmembrane kinases to activate ROP GTPases, which affect cytoskeleton structure.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a potential new strategy to treat paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, a rare and life-threatening blood disorder. By inhibiting the complement cascade, they hope to create a cost-effective treatment option that can prevent both hemolysis and immune cell recognition.
Researchers have successfully imaged the critical transition of proteins passing through a transit pore in cell membranes. The study reveals a side-door within the channel that opens to allow proteins to diffuse into the membrane, and provides new insights into protein function and dynamics.
The discovery sheds light on how SecA pushes proteins out of the cell through a series of mechanical steps. This understanding is crucial for developing specific antibiotics and optimizing biotechnological production of human biopharmaceuticals.
Researchers developed a NIST cell membrane model to detect bacterial vaginosis (BV) at low concentrations. The model revealed the presence of BV-causing bacteria by detecting protein toxin VLY in real-time, with improved sensitivity and speed compared to current methods.
Researchers at Penn State University have identified a critical protein required for the growth of cilia on cell surfaces. This discovery has significant implications for understanding and treating diseases related to cilium development, such as polycystic kidney disease, blindness, and neurological disorders.
Scientists have discovered a crucial step in how the body regulates 'free' calcium ions, which play a vital role in maintaining cellular functions. This finding has significant implications for developing new treatments for various neurological disorders, including Parkinson's disease.
Researchers from University of Copenhagen develop method for slow release drugs by attaching liquid crystalline particles to cancer cells. The particles can carry large quantities of drugs and interact with cellular membranes, providing a potential solution to frequent injections and side effects.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center found a high presence of bacteria at the site where fetal membranes rupture may be associated with premature water breaking. The study suggests that bacterial presence is linked to thinning of the fetal membranes, which can lead to preterm births.
A study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology reveals that the protein responsible for copper excretion uses a unique transport mechanism to remove toxic copper from cells. This knowledge has important implications for understanding copper-related diseases, as well as developing new antibiotics targeting harmful bacteria.
Artificial cells manufactured via microprinting can mimic natural cell membranes, allowing researchers to study cellular processes. The creation of uniform-sized artificial cells with proteins and lipids enables high-throughput screenings for drug delivery and disease prevention.
A new method allows researchers to design and create three-dimensional structures with precise cell docking sites, enabling the study of individual cells in a close-to-reality environment. The technique uses direct laser writing and photoactive molecules to control the adhesion points for cells.
Researchers at the University of Southampton have developed a new technique for testing pharmaceutical drugs, allowing for faster and less expensive evaluation of ion channels. This method uses cell-free expression mixtures and artificial membranes, enabling quicker testing of multiple types of channels simultaneously.
Researchers at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center have developed a novel procedure to prepare human amniotic membrane for use as a scaffold for specialized stem cells, which may treat corneal diseases such as blindness. The new method promises to streamline clinical applications of cell therapies and accelerate research in this area.
Researchers found a new mechanism regulating the earliest stages of embryo development, where arm-like structures called filopodia control cell shape and compaction. The discovery could help improve IVF treatment outcomes by identifying suitable embryos for implantation.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed tiny protein tubes called Janus nanotubes, which can accurately channel drugs into cells. These nanotubes have a tubular structure that allows small molecules and ions to pass through, making them promising for water purification and drug development.
Researchers from the Carl-Philipp Heisenberg group have identified a key mechanism for limiting tissue tension during cell division, enabling epithelial closure and wound healing. By orienting cell division through mechanical tension, cells can maintain their integrity and ensure proper tissue development.
Researchers at UMD found that fruit flies have similar mechanisms to regulate blood sugar as humans, including the use of insulin. This discovery enables the use of fruit flies in screening tests for new diabetes treatments.
Researchers have gained new insights into tissue cryo-injury mechanisms, revealing that gap junctions are not the primary pathway for ice crystal propagation between cells. Intercellular connections also play a significant role in cell crystallization during freezing.
A new study from Cornell University proposes that clay hydrogel could have confined and protected chemical processes that formed proteins, DNA, and eventually living cells. Researchers demonstrated protein synthesis in a clay hydrogel, which enhances protein production and offers a promising possibility for producing large quantities o...
Researchers at University College London have developed a new method for building membrane-crossing pores using Lego-like DNA building blocks. This approach provides a simple and low-cost tool for synthetic biology and has potential applications in diagnostic devices and drug discovery. The technique uses two large anchors to embed the...
Researchers have used a novel imaging technique to study the interaction between an antimicrobial peptide and cell membranes, gaining insights into how it kills bacteria. The findings suggest that the peptide creates nanometer-sized pores in the cell membrane, leading to its disintegration and death.
Scientists have captured images of the SecY/Sec61 channels in cell membranes, revealing how nascent proteins are transported to their target destinations. This discovery provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of protein transport and cell function.
Researchers use TopoChip platform to test thousands of surface patterns and catalog cellular responses, revealing the 'Braille code' of cells. The approach has potential applications in improving medical device performance and reducing negative reactions to artificial implants.
A team of scientists discovered that a single amino acid change in the human BK polyomavirus enables it to bind to a different sugar on host cell surfaces. This mutation allows the virus to potentially adapt to new species by changing its binding target preference.
Scientists discovered that cellular projections are initiated by a network of message-relaying proteins inside the cell, even in random movement. The findings have implications for understanding and manipulating biological processes, including cancer metastasis.
Researchers developed a new method to create biomimetic membranes, allowing for the study of cell membrane functions and development of novel applications in medicine and biotechnology. The method uses lipid dip-pen nanolithography to write tailored patches of phospholipid membrane onto graphene substrates.
Scientists have successfully assembled model cell membranes on graphene surfaces using Lipid Dip-Pen Nanolithography (L-DPN). This breakthrough enables the study of complex systems and processes in a controlled environment.
Researchers at Scripps Florida Institute have developed a highly programmable platform for creating synthetic cellular structures with complex membrane compositions. The approach enables the assembly of multi-layered membranes resembling the cell nucleus envelope, offering new insights into biological function and evolution.
A team of Drexel University researchers has created a molecule called DAVEI that can trick HIV into destroying itself by hijacking the virus's fusion machinery. The microbicide was designed to mimic the forces it feels when attached to a healthy cell, causing the virus to release its genetic payload harmlessly and die.