Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
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Researchers at Whitehead Institute and MIT have developed a novel surface that enables tripling of human embryonic stem and induced pluripotent stem cell growth in culture. This breakthrough eliminates the need for mouse feeder cells, reducing contamination risks and increasing efficiency.
Researchers find tau proteins interact with negatively charged lipids on cell membranes, causing protein aggregation and neuronal death. Compounds that prevent protein interaction with membranes offer hope for Alzheimer's patients.
Scientists have identified small-molecule drug candidates that activate the TMEM16A channel, promoting salt and water movement in cells. The discovery could lead to new therapies for conditions such as cystic fibrosis, dry eye, and slow-transit constipation.
Researchers developed a new tool to study the impact of spatial patterns on living cells, allowing them to control protein placement and study their behavior. The technique enabled them to test breast cancer cells and demonstrate the importance of cell adhesion molecules.
Researchers found a previously unknown molecular pathway controlling ion channel number and location on the cell surface, affecting heart rhythm and other muscle activity. This discovery may lead to new treatments for heart arrhythmia and related conditions such as paralysis and kidney disorders.
Researchers discovered that A-beta oligomers form calcium-permeable pores in the plasma membrane, inducing excess calcium influx into cells. This influx disrupts synaptic signaling and stimulates cell death, contributing to neurodegeneration associated with Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers found that green vegetables stimulate a key immune system function by regulating cell surface proteins in the gut and skin. This helps maintain healthy intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IELs), which are crucial for fighting off infections.
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago have created a biosensor to measure membrane lipid levels, which can act as switches turning on or off protein-protein interactions. This technique allows for real-time quantification and monitoring of lipid molecules, potentially leading to new pathways for disease treatment.
New study reveals that helium ion microscopy can image both surface and internal structures in whole cells at nanometer resolutions without the need for metallic coatings or significant loss of resolution.
Carissa Perez Olsen, a Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center scientist, has won the prestigious NIH Director's Early Independence Award. She will receive $1.25 million to study the mechanisms of cancer, aging-related diseases, and natural aging using C. elegans as a model organism.
A novel binding assay using mass spectrometry simplifies the search for SERT inhibitors, potentially improving treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. The technique avoids use of radiolabeled substances, offering a more efficient and cost-effective method.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have identified unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats from plants and cold-water fish as beneficial for health. These fats block JNK activation by saturated fatty acids, which are linked to adverse health effects.
Researchers created a computer model that calculates the probability of benzocaine molecules entering a cell's membrane based on its composition. The model predicts that membranes made mostly of negatively charged phospholipid DPPS present less barrier to benzocaine, leading to safer and more effective use.
Researchers at Empa have developed self-healing membranes for inflatable structures that can plug up holes on their own, inspired by the rapid wound sealing process of climbing plants. The technology has shown promising results in lab tests, with a membrane able to hold for eight hours after being punctured.
Researchers at the University of Washington have created a novel proton-based transistor that can communicate directly with living organisms. The device uses protons instead of electrons and has potential applications in biological sensing, prosthetics, and even controlling certain biological processes.
A team of researchers led by Professor Rikard Blunck has discovered the molecular mechanism behind toxin proteins engineered into food to kill insects. The study uses a novel technique involving fluorescent light to analyze the protein's structure and behavior in artificial cell membranes.
A team of researchers has discovered that the length of cellular railways is controlled by a passenger protein called Smy1, which pauses during the journey to communicate with machinery building the railways. This mechanism prevents overgrowth of longer cables and allows rapid growth of shorter ones.
Researchers at Caltech used powerful imaging technique to study Acetonema longum, a bacterium with two membranes that responds to extreme situations by forming protective spores. The study found that the outer membrane may have originated from an inner membrane during sporulation, providing insights into its evolution and function.
Scientists describe an advance in encouraging stem cells to make decisions about their fate using chemically defined surfaces. This technology holds promise for regenerative medicine, including growing organs for transplants and tissues for treating diseases.
Researchers have created a more precise system for growing cells by replacing neighboring cells and extracellular matrix with synthetics. This approach reduces uncertainty and biological contamination, facilitating the formation of artificial tissues.
Scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine have discovered a key cellular protein, Niemann-Pick C1, that is essential for the Ebola virus to infect cells. The finding suggests a possible strategy for blocking infection due to Ebola virus, which has killed up to 90% of those infected in some outbreaks.
Researchers have identified a key mechanism used by intestinal cells to defend against Clostridium difficile infections. A previously unknown protective response, known as nitrosylation, can be exploited to prevent toxin-induced cell damage.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a color-changing stress sensor using polymersomes and porphyrins, allowing for early detection of system failures. The technology has the potential to monitor drug delivery and track stress in cellular membranes.
Structural elements in cells organize the motion of receptors, enabling them to receive signals from other parts of the organism. This discovery could have profound implications for drug development and treating diseases like cancer.
A NIST research team has created a potential solution to capturing cells using electric fields while keeping them alive. Their innovative technique, involving polyelectrolyte and fibronectin layers, reduces cell exposure time and improves long-term function, enabling up to week-long survival rates.
A new study using Saccharomyces cerevisiae found that yeast cells grow and reproduce better in multicellular clumps than singly, especially in dilute sugar solutions. This cooperative behavior increases the chances of each cell taking in enough nutrients to grow and divide.
The research group has identified a new protein, Pinkbar, that creates planar membrane sheets, modifying the structure of plasma membranes in intestinal epithelial cells. This finding may be linked to various intestinal disorders.
Researchers use Photo Activated Localization Microscopy (PALM) to accurately count proteins on the cell surface, gaining insight into their interactions and evolution. This technique may help develop more effective drugs by understanding how cells react to external agents.
Researchers at Ohio State University designed a nanocarrier that maximizes gene silencing by targeting equivalent highways for entry into cells. The carrier, called SPANosome, reduces protein production by 95% compared to traditional carriers.
Bacteria utilize type IV pili, or TFP, to achieve twitching motility, enabling them to 'slingshot' on surfaces with high efficiency. This unique ability helps the bacteria navigate complex surface conditions and move through polysaccharide-rich environments with ease.
Researchers at the University of Bologna have found that carbon nanotubes can penetrate cell membranes more easily when inserted at a flat angle, reducing damage and improving efficiency. The study's results suggest that these tiny 'molecular syringes' could be used as probes to test for substances and processes beyond cell membranes.
Scientists have determined the atomic architecture of a sodium channel, which generates electrical signals in excitable cells. This achievement opens new possibilities for designing drugs for pain, epilepsy, and heart rhythm disturbances, with potential breakthroughs in treatments for neurological disorders.
Researchers at Technical University of Munich (TUM) have identified two proteins in barley that powdery mildew takes advantage of during its attack. The RACB protein, a molecular switch, supports the fungus by increasing plant cell surface area, while MAGAP1 prevents this effect and limits the fungus's entry into plant cells.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a genetic 'lock and key' mechanism in social amoebae that enables cells to recognize kin from non-kin. The proteins TgrB1 and TgrC1, with immunoglobulin folds, act as a lock and key, facilitating cooperation and aggregation among genetically similar cells.
Researchers have successfully used living human cells to produce natural capsules with channels for releasing drugs and diagnostic agents. This breakthrough enables longer retention of these substances in the body, overcoming previous artificial coating limitations.
Researchers discovered that plant cells use a distinct transmembrane signaling mechanism involving a small steroid molecule, unlike animal cells. This novel approach enables plants to grow and respond to external signals.
A Finnish twin study suggests that adaptation of fat cell membranes to obesity may play a key role in early stages of inflammatory disorders. The study found that obese individuals have higher amounts of certain lipids in their adipose tissues, which may help preserve membrane function as cells expand.
Researchers at UC Davis discovered the mechanism of cilia assembly, revealing two subunits of tubulin that, when mutated, cause cilia loss. This breakthrough has implications for understanding diseases like polycystic kidney disease and growth disorders.
A Finnish twin study found that obese individuals have higher amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their adipose tissues than non-obese twins. The researchers suggest that this adaptation helps preserve membrane function as the cells expand, but breaks down in morbidly obese individuals.
Researchers found that MreB proteins assemble into patches and move in circular paths along the inside of the cell membrane, relying on a functioning cell wall for movement. This discovery opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention and could lead to urgently needed alternatives to antibiotics.
Researchers at University of Louisville identified a protein sorting mechanism used by the salivary gland, which could lead to advanced therapies for patients with damaged or non-functioning salivary glands. The study found that a specific lipid molecule, PtdIns(3,4)P2, plays a crucial role in sorting proteins into vesicles for secretion.
Scientists have described a chemical interaction vital to blood clotting in atomic detail, resolving a decades-long mystery. The interaction between a clotting factor and cell membrane was first observed using nanodiscs and advanced modeling techniques.
New research provides evidence for the significant differences between new and old red blood cells used for transfusions. The study found that older red blood cells have undergone 'significant changes and damage', compromising their cell membrane integrity, making them not useful for transfusions.
Scientists use new technique to demonstrate that cell membrane and cytoplasm structure can guide asymmetric cell division. Model cells show that simple chemical interactions can result in complex behaviors like asymmetric division even without genetic signals.
Scientists at Yale University used fluorescent stains to create movies of cellular actin filaments disassembling, shedding light on their mysterious process. The study reveals the location of breaks along the filaments, crucial for cell movement and maintenance.
A recent study by Washington University in St. Louis scientist Younan Xia found that nanoparticles above certain sizes and weights settle, altering the concentration near cell surfaces and resulting in higher cellular uptake rates. This discovery may invalidate prior experiments on nanoparticle toxicity and dosimetry.
Materials scientists at Harvard have successfully demonstrated the first macro-scale thin-film solid-oxide fuel cell, overcoming structural challenges to achieve comparable power density to micro-SOFCs. The breakthrough uses a metallic grid to support a large membrane, enabling scalability for practical clean-energy applications.
Researchers at NIST and University of California, Irvine, developed a way to magnify cell membranes up to 1,000 times resolution, revealing the importance of cholesterol in maintaining membrane order. The findings suggest that cholesterol may have profound consequences for gatekeeper proteins, which interact constantly with the membrane.
A team of scientists has developed bioinspired materials that mimic the cell membrane, offering a promising approach for drug delivery and other applications. The materials, called dendrimersomes, show potential for being more stable, targeted, and effective than existing nanomaterials.
Brown University researchers created two nanoscale surfaces that promote skin cell growth on titanium leg implants, sealing the gap where bacteria can enter. The findings show nearly doubled skin cell density within five days, indicating a complete layer of skin has been formed.
Researchers have created a pig model that genetically replicates the most common form of cystic fibrosis, revealing how the CF protein is misprocessed and leads to disease symptoms. The study suggests that a small amount of active CFTR protein activity is not sufficient to prevent disease in pigs.
A new laser technique, called backscattering interferometry (BSI), measures the binding force between proteins and biological molecules in a natural environment. This technology has potential applications in drug discovery, particularly for targeting membrane proteins.
Researchers found that cytoskeletal components regulate CD36 protein movement on the cell surface, promoting receptor clustering. This study may lead to a better understanding of receptor organization and its impact on cell signaling, which could aid in the development of new drugs.
Researchers at Scripps Institute develop a novel technology that synthesizes complex cellular structures from simple starting materials, creating uniform cell-like compartments. The new process is highly efficient and customizable, revolutionizing the field of synthetic biology.
Researchers at NIST and NCI have developed a technique that slices off the top of a cell, making structures accessible for spectroscopic examination. This allows for chemical mapping of cells at submicrometer resolution, potentially enabling early detection of cancer.
Researchers have discovered a new role for Tonoplast Intrinsic Proteins (TIPs) in regulating water uptake during seed germination, contradicting previous focus on Plasma Membrane Intrinsic Proteins (PIP). The study provides the first complete map of TIP expression in maturing and germinating seeds.
The research team used single-molecule imaging to study G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and found that they can interconvert between monomers and dimers. This understanding is crucial for predicting GPCR numbers in cells and blocking signal amplification by these molecules.
Jason Hafner's research on gold nanostars has led to breakthroughs in sensing, imaging, and medicine. He also discovered a method to measure large electrical fields inside cell membranes.
Researchers at the University of Calgary have made a breakthrough discovery about how calcium channels regulate neuronal activity. The study reveals that a protein called beta subunit acts as a molecular switch to stabilize or remove calcium channels, controlling excitability in nerve cells.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a solution-based method for inducing the self-assembly of flexible polymer membranes with highly aligned subnanometer channels. The new technique uses organic nanotubes and block copolymers to fabricate porous thin films with tailored channel sizes and shapes.