Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
Researchers at Penn School of Medicine found that cells reorganize their internal skeleton to adjust their shape in response to external forces. This discovery validates a common theory in cell biology and has implications for understanding certain diseases, including cancer.
Researchers at NC State University have discovered a new material that can create interfaces between human tissues and medical devices, resolving issues with protein buildup and inflammation. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in kidney dialysis membranes and other implantable devices.
Researchers describe how cells recycle protein waste to prevent diseases such as Alzheimer's, cystic fibrosis, and developmental disorders. Cells use enzymes and specialized complexes, known as ESCRTs, to break down and dispose of damaged proteins.
Researchers have developed polymer patches that can ferry drugs, assist in cancer diagnosis and help with tissue engineering. The polymer backpacks allow researchers to use cells as vectors to carry materials to tumors or other tissue sites.
Researchers have found a way to restore key surface proteins in adult stem cells, enhancing their movement and therapeutic potential. The simple chemical procedure uses a molecule called SLeX to get the cells off the 'couch' and over to their therapeutic target.
Researchers have invented a device called chemistrode that can stimulate, record and analyze molecular signals at high resolution. The device can be used on any surface and has the potential to study diseases such as diabetes and neurology disorders.
Agrin and MuSK don't directly communicate, but LRP4 serves as a bridge to initiate critical internal cell talk. This finding sheds light on the agrin-MuSK signaling pathway's role in muscular dystrophy.
Advances in nerve repair, miniature implantable medical devices and proton therapy were showcased at the AVS 55th International Symposium. Researchers developed new technologies to print cells for artificial organs and created microscopic medical devices that can deliver drugs and monitor health.
Researchers have visualized the structure of a protein called Microbacterium hydantoin permease, which helps bacteria take up specific molecules from their surroundings. The study reveals how the protein opens and closes to allow molecules across the membrane, with implications for understanding human cell function.
Recent research by the University of Granada confirms that a Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil and antioxidants can help prevent chronic diseases such as pancreatic cancer and cardiovascular disease. By modifying cell membrane composition, the diet's ingredients may influence disease prevention and treatment.
A new method allows for the detection of multiple immune parameters from individual human cells, which may aid in diagnosing diseases such as type 1 diabetes. This breakthrough enables researchers to study rare blood cells and their role in autoimmune diseases, leading to potential novel biomarkers for therapy monitoring.
A new antimicrobial surface coating, developed by a team of scientists, has shown promising results in reducing implant-related infections. The hybrid molecule combines two natural products with different modes of action, effectively hindering bacterial growth and attachment.
Scientists studying bacteria at Evolution Canyon found that ecotypes on hot and cool slopes have distinct fatty acid compositions, enabling them to cope with temperature differences.
A new study measures movements smaller than one-billionth of a meter in ion channels, revealing that the voltage sensor moves by only a small amount to allow ion flow. The findings challenge models that predicted large movements of protein segments, providing new insights into the complex process of generating electrical impulses.
Researchers at MIT have developed synthetic nanoparticles that can quickly pass into cells without harming them. The key to their approach is a striped structure on the nanoparticles' surface, which allows them to directly penetrate the cell membrane and deliver drugs or imaging agents to the cytosol.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to regenerate cartilage naturally by creating a synthetic surface that attracts cartilage-forming cells. The team, led by Thomas Webster, uses carbon nanotubes to stimulate cell growth through electrical pulses, which appears to enhance cartilage regeneration.
Scientists have identified two proteins, MSL9 and MSL10, responsible for mechanosensitive ion channel activities in plant roots. These proteins govern the flow of ions into and out of the cell in response to mechanical forces like gravity or pressure. The discovery sheds light on how plants respond to physical forces.
Using total internal reflection microscopy, researchers have observed hundreds of thousands of molecules coming together to form a single HIV particle. The technique allows scientists to study the assembly process in real-time and gain insights into viral behavior.
Scientists have identified CAML as a human host restriction to HIV release, which can now be overcome by Vpu. This discovery may lead to new treatments for HIV, as researchers are working on defining the mechanism and developing therapies.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have identified a novel toxin receptor for H. pylori, allowing the bacterium to survive in the human stomach. The discovery provides valuable insights into the mechanisms of H. pylori's survival and may lead to new therapeutic strategies.
Scientists have created the first three-dimensional view of the protein TRPV1, which senses the heat of hot peppers and pain. The study reveals surprising information about its structure, including a 'hanging basket' area that regulates the channel.
A team of Penn State researchers created a simple artificial cell with a mix of PEG and dextran polymers to investigate the organization and function of cell components. The model cell exhibited polarity, a critical step in development, and showed the interrelationship between cytoplasm and cell membrane.
Researchers found that cholesterol depletion increased CEA sorting to the basolateral surface in polarized Caco-2 cells. This suggests a potential new treatment approach for inflammatory bowel disease by modifying lipid raft-dependent mechanisms.
Researchers discovered that viral agents can kick-start the body's immune response in the moist nasal lining, leading to inflammation and symptoms like sneezing and congestion. This understanding may lead to new therapies to block the triggering reactions for sinusitis and asthma.
Researchers at ETH Zurich identify a unique invasion strategy used by the vaccinia virus, exploiting cellular waste disposal mechanisms and evading immune response. The discovery sheds light on a new mechanism of action for this virus, which could inform the development of new antiviral agents.
Researchers at Duke University have made a major advance in understanding how bacteria divide, paving the way for new antibiotic treatments. They created an artificial system that demonstrates the importance of FtsZ protein in bacterial cell division.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed a coarse-grained computer model to simulate cell membrane dynamics, allowing for the observation of membrane behaviors at hundreds of nanometers. The model reveals a purely physical mechanism that enables vesiculation, a critical process for cellular survival.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have mapped the interior of a key component of the relay system that allows acetylcholine to transmit its message. The muscle nicotinic receptor, a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel, responds to acetylcholine by opening its gate and allowing positively charged ions to flow into the cell.
A Northwestern University team has developed a method to assemble polymer and small molecule into flexible but strong sacs that can grow human stem cells. The sacs have been shown to survive for weeks in culture, allow proteins to pass through the membrane, and even self-repair damaged membranes.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a ceramic membrane that allows fuel cells to operate at low humidity and higher temperatures, potentially improving efficiency. This new membrane could address current limitations in fuel cell technology and attract investment for its commercialization.
Researchers at Penn State University have discovered that lipid molecules in cell membranes play a key role in triggering allergic reactions. The team used advanced imaging techniques to show how cholesterol-rich lipid domains associate with IgE antibodies and their receptors, leading to histamine release and allergic symptoms.
Researchers discovered a solitary chemosensory cell plays a crucial role in transmitting irritating chemical odors to the trigeminal nerve. This finding expands our understanding of olfaction and may lead to a better understanding of why some people are exceptionally sensitive to irritating odors.
Biological electron transfer has been captured for the first time in real time by researchers at the University of Helsinki. The discovery could lead to significant medical advancements, particularly in understanding mitochondrial diseases caused by Complex I dysfunction.
Researchers have found that the YscJ lipoprotein component determines the location of a key injection device in plague bacteria. This discovery sheds light on how Yersinia pestis causes the bubonic plague and could lead to new treatments.
Researchers at Penn discovered that a bacterial toxin from Staphylococcus aureus can shut down the control mechanism of an ion channel in immune cell membranes, suppressing the immune response. This finding suggests that identifying inhibitors of the toxin may lead to new therapies for treating MRSA and other resistant infections.
Researchers identify the first protein to activate G-protein signaling from within a cell, opening up new pathways for drug development. The discovery of Arr4 could lead to more selective and effective medications with fewer side effects.
Researchers developed MAPAS to predict protein contact surfaces, which can guide new treatments for devastating diseases. The tool uses supercomputers to analyze protein shapes and energy, revealing key details of membrane interactions.
Theoretical physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have uncovered a simple mechanism describing how an HIV peptide penetrates cell membranes. The discovery could help treat other human illnesses by exploiting similar molecules.
Scientists at the University of Leeds have identified a previously unknown natural mechanism that activates ion channels through thioredoxin, offering new opportunities for treating inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. This breakthrough could lead to the development of innovative therapies.
The Biophysical Society has announced the recipients of its international travel grants, who will attend the Joint Meeting in Long Beach. The award aims to foster interaction between American biophysicists and scientists in financially difficult countries.
Researchers have discovered that the turbulence in electrical waves underlying ventricular fibrillation can be scaled using a universal formula related to body mass, and that genetic variations in mice may also apply to humans. This breakthrough paves the way for better translation of VF research results from animals to humans.
Researchers at Yale University discovered how molecular muscles assemble a 'contractile ring' to divide cells, using a 'search, capture, pull and release' mechanism. The mechanism involves protein clusters on the inside of the cell membrane that grow and connect, forming a condensed ring.
A new hypothesis suggests that life emerged in the confined spaces between mica layers in ancient oceans. This model provides a more plausible explanation than existing prebiotic and 'pizza' hypotheses, explaining how early biomolecules formed and evolved.
The 'mica hypothesis' proposes that the narrow spaces between nonliving mica layers provided conditions for the rise of the first biomolecules. Mica's structure offers support, shelter, and an energy source for precellular life.
Berkeley researchers have created a copper-free version of click chemistry, allowing for the first time to label and image glycans, proteins, and lipids in live cells. The technique, developed by Carolyn Bertozzi and her team, proceeds at physiologically acceptable temperatures without toxic copper catalysts.
Scientists observe molecular-level observation of self-selection, demonstrating fundamental step in biological evolution. The study reveals promising nanostructures for catalysts and nanotechnologies.
Scientists have created a method to target and destroy tumor cells by attaching folate to gold nanorods, which then burst through the membrane upon near-infrared light exposure. This triggers a complex biochemical mechanism leading to cell death.
A new study from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that garlic compounds can liberate hydrogen sulfide in red blood cells, leading to vessel relaxation. This effect is believed to be behind the protective effects of garlic on cardiovascular health.
Researchers have discovered a molecular mechanism that could lead to the development of new, potent antibiotics. The compounds mimic natural peptides and create 'holes' in bacterial membranes, causing cell death.
Scientists have discovered a new mechanism by which insulin-secreting cells regulate KATP channels, allowing for timely energy supply and storage of blood sugar. This discovery sheds light on how the human body maintains normal blood glucose levels and prevents diabetes.
The University of Utah has been awarded a five-year, $19.2 million NIH grant to establish an HIV research center focusing on the structural biology of the virus. This research aims to understand how HIV takes control of host cells and develop new treatments.
Researchers at Cornell University found that ion channels in membrane-bound vesicles do not carry charged neurotransmitters out of the cell. Instead, positive sodium ions from the outside compensate for the charge, a process known as electrodiffusion.
Researchers cast doubt on ABCA1's role in producing good cholesterol by studying cells from Tangier disease patients and knock-out mice. The findings suggest that ABCA1 does not code for the scramblase enzyme involved in phospholipid transport.
Researchers have identified common attributes in viral replication machinery that could be vulnerable to disruption, potentially leading to broad-spectrum antiviral agents. A study on flock house virus reveals a new compartment for RNA synthesis, where the virus can collect components and carry out processes efficiently.
Lectins, a family of proteins found in undercooked legumes and grains, can make people feel temporarily miserable by disabling GI tract cells from repairing tears. This can lead to gaps in the epithelial lining, exposing the nasty internal world of the GI tract to the blood supply.
Research at the Medical College of Georgia found that regular brushing can cause minor cell damage, leading to increased calcium influx and triggering internal membrane repair. This process may promote gum health by stimulating collagen growth and strengthening tissue response to mechanical stress.
Researchers have discovered that cell surface mucin 1 (Muc1) is a key component of the gut's defense against bacterial infections. Mice infected with Campylobacter jejuni were found to be more susceptible to intestinal damage without Muc1, highlighting its critical role in preventing infection spread.
Researchers identify dysferlin as crucial for resealing heart muscle cell membranes, leading to cardiomyopathy in mice. Exercise exacerbates damage in mice with dysferlin deficiency, highlighting potential treatment target.
Two studies published in JCI uncover regulators of squamous cell carcinoma development, highlighting the critical role of p53 tumor suppressor gene mutations and chemokine receptor D6. The findings suggest that certain p53 mutations accelerate SCC progression and that inflammation sensitizes skin cells to tumor formation.
A four-year study investigates how dietary iron is used by cells, addressing endemic iron deficiency affecting 80% of the world's population. The researchers aim to understand cellular iron metabolism, a key process impacted in various human diseases.