Articles tagged with Cell Membranes
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.
Using advanced computer simulations and X-ray data, researchers unraveled the complex interplay of proteins involved in outer membrane transport. The study revealed that TonB-dependent transporter (TBDT) is unable to withstand forces needed to pull the luminal domain away from the barrel.
HIV scientists discovered that cells use small sacs known as exosomes to export proteins, including the virus's major protein Gag. This means HIV can leave infected cells and infect new ones, raising hopes for new treatment options.
FSU researchers Joseph Schlenoff and Thomas Keller receive a $1.07 million NIH grant to study ways to prevent restenosis by coating biomedical devices with thin films that discourage vascular smooth muscle cell adhesion. Their goal is to develop biocompatible coatings using neutrally charged polymers to 'camouflage' medical implants.
Researchers developed a technique to detect and sort different-sized polymer chains that pass through or block tiny pores in thin membranes. This non-destructive method measures individual biomolecules at the nanoscale level, enabling future applications in lab-on-a-chip molecular analyzers.
Membrane proteins communicate structurally by altering their shape to perform specific tasks, such as channel proteins allowing the flow of ions. The membrane's elastic forces dictate protein formation and organization, revealing a new mechanism for cell signaling.
Researchers at University of Toronto developed a device to test for proteins involved in human health and disease, revealing potential targets for pharmaceutical applications. The study identified six new protein interactors that regulate ABC transporter function, providing insights into diseases like cystic fibrosis and drug resistance.
Researchers at Princeton University developed flexible electronic membranes to replicate brain injuries in the lab without damaging electrodes. The membranes enable precise measurements of cellular activity before and after traumatic brain injury, providing valuable insights into functional damage.
The journal reveals how changing protein charges enables cell membrane passage and introduces an enzyme's role in synthesizing antibiotics against resistant bacteria. Additionally, researchers develop artificial methods to induce keratinocytes' differentiation, providing insight into diseases like psoriasis and basal cell carcinoma.
A new device created by MIT researchers allows biologists to physically arrange cells to be touching, close but not touching, or completely separated. This enables researchers to study cell interactions and changes over time without breaching the divide, leading to insights into liver cell differentiation and cancer.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new family of gene vectors, novel polymers that can ferry genetic material into cells. These polymers show promise for gene delivery and tissue scaffolds in biomedical applications, offering reduced toxicity to viral vectors.
Researchers have developed nanoelectrodes that can be used for electrochemical and biochemical sensing within living cells. The probes, which are 100 nanometers in diameter, can be controlled precisely where they penetrate a cell or pinpoint smaller structures like the nucleus or mitochondrion.
Researchers at NIST created a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) cell-stretcher to measure living cell mechanical properties like adhesion and elasticity. The device can study bulk mechanical properties of single cells while they spread and adhere to substrates.
Researchers at UC Davis have made a groundbreaking discovery about the body's temperature sensing capabilities. By reassembling subunits from different ion channels, they found that there are more than six channel types responsible for sensing temperature, which could help solve the mystery of thermosensitivity in animals.
Researchers at ASU are working on a new fuel cell technology designed for large-scale power generation, which can efficiently generate electrical power while minimizing heat management needs. The team aims to develop a membrane that operates at high temperatures, reducing size, weight, and costs.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute successfully integrated in-vitro synthesized membrane proteins into artificial lipid membranes, overcoming previous difficulties due to protein solubility. This breakthrough enables the creation of biosensors that can detect poisons, explosives, or drugs.
Scientists have found that nifedipine, commonly used for high blood pressure, can reverse iron overload in mouse models and may treat similar conditions in humans. The compound helps mobilize iron from stores in the liver and enhances its excretion into the urine.
Biologists at Carnegie Institution discover a new way plant cells regulate nutrient uptake through physical interaction between neighboring molecules, applicable across species. The discovery has potential applications from understanding human diseases like kidney function to engineering better crops.
Researchers have developed a novel approach for the direct synthesis of polymeric nanocapsules with surface elements that can recognize specific target cells. The method uses disk-shaped monomers with polymerizable groups, which link together to form hollow spheres with uniform sizes and tailored surfaces.
Current drills may find essential signs of life on Mars but can't reach the living cells that could survive in ice at Elysium or recent craters due to radiation levels, scientists say. The team found that drilling depth required for finding living cells is much deeper than current probes can reach.
A study shows that SH2B1 in the brain regulates body weight and fat content, implicating it as a potential target for treating obesity and type II diabetes. Additionally, researchers have found that autophagy represents a survival mechanism for tumor cells treated with agents that initiate tumor cell death.
Scientists discovered that stomata open independently of neighboring stoma behavior, optimizing water loss and CO2 acquisition. The laser study found that phototropin1 release triggers stomatal opening, influenced by light-induced changes in the cell interior.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a novel method for assembling gold and silver nanoparticle building blocks into larger structures, inspired by the self-assembly of lipid membranes that surround every living cell. The new technique allows for the creation of ultra-potent cancer drugs and efficient catalysts.
Vanderbilt researchers have successfully produced movies that provide the first direct view of the initial stage of myelin sheath formation in nerves. The process is more dynamic than previously thought, with cells continually sending out tiny tentacles to readjust their positions.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have discovered that spectrin can perform both structural and adhesive functions in cells, contradicting previous assumptions about its role. This finding has implications for understanding genetic diseases such as anemia and muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at PNNL have successfully measured electrical charge shuttled by proteins removed from living cells, opening up possibilities for miniaturized bioreactors. The breakthrough could lead to the development of portable biofuel cells for powering small electronic devices.
Georgia Tech researchers have developed a self-cleaning surface inspired by the lotus plant to improve photovoltaic arrays and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS). The unique surface combines nano- and micron-scale structures with a waxy coating, allowing water and dirt to bead up and roll off instantly.
A study reveals that caveolin-3 helps prevent muscle wasting in muscular dystrophy by blocking myostatin signaling. Inhibiting myostatin rescued the muscle wasting in mice, suggesting a promising therapy for certain types of muscular dystrophy.
Scientists have successfully mapped the chemical composition of lipid membranes at the nanoscale, shedding light on their dynamic behavior and structural organization. This breakthrough uses Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) to analyze membrane components, offering new insights into cell function and vulnerability to viruses.
Researchers at EPFL discovered a new metabolic pathway that helps cells survive bacterial pore-forming toxins. The pathway triggers an inflammatory response and lipid metabolism to repair the cell membrane and protect against further damage.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have designed polymer macromolecules as effective gene transfer agents, overcoming the need for foreign DNA and viruses. The study's findings focus on the structure of these molecules, which can control their ability to transfer genes across cell membranes.
Researchers have demonstrated how ultrasound can briefly open cell membranes to allow entry of therapeutic molecules, which could advance gene therapies and targeted chemotherapy. The cells then quickly close the door, allowing for non-invasive drug delivery.
Scientists at Brookhaven Lab developed a screening method to examine nanoparticle interactions with human cells, revealing toxic effects of carbon-based materials. The method uses in vitro laboratory studies and sophisticated imaging methods to gather information about cell responses to nanoparticles.
A novel proteomics study has shown that proteins regulating brain-cell activity behave like volume controls, allowing for incremental levels of activity. This 'homeostatic plasticity' enables neurons to adapt to changing environments.
Researchers have found that Shewanella oneidensis bacteria produce an extracellular polymeric substance that converts soluble uranium into solid, insoluble uraninite nanoparticles, which can bind to soil and prevent migration.
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital have discovered that a key event during apoptosis occurs as a single, rapid event, rather than a step-by-step process. This finding sheds new light on how cells 'commit suicide' and highlights the importance of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization in regulating apoptosis.
A new study finds that the stalk of Caulobacter crescentus bacteria acts as an antenna to amplify nutrient uptake, increasing efficiency without increasing volume or surface area. This discovery has significant implications for bioremediation and drug production.
Researchers at University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have found a new way to open ion channels in cell membranes by using an enzyme found in brown recluse spider venom. This discovery introduces a new paradigm for understanding the gating of ion channels and lays the groundwork for designing new drugs to control ion-channel act...
Researchers have found that boosting HLA-G production can make dendritic cells less responsive to transplanted tissue, reducing rejection. This natural immunosuppression approach has the potential to prolong acceptance of skin grafts and other transplanted tissues.
Dr. Turner's research on the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter (NKCC1) has significantly advanced our understanding of salivation and fluid secretion. His work has led to the development of valuable experimental tools, benefiting researchers worldwide.
The study revealed the outer lipid envelope interacts with the capsid shell of hepatitis B virus, which is enormous and nearly 10 times larger than a hemoglobin molecule. The findings may offer new clues on how the virus replicates in vivo.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a microfluidic device that uses electricity to break down cell membranes, enabling the delivery of drugs and genes. This technique allows for detailed analysis of individual cells and can pinpoint abnormalities more quickly than traditional methods.
The new NIST technique coats a silicon wafer with a brush-like copolymer surface, varying the relative concentration of two components along the length of the substrate. This method accommodates a wide variety of materials and can produce test surfaces for studying surface phenomena in fields like tissue engineering and materials science.
Researchers found that a disproportionate ratio of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine in cell membranes undermines membrane integrity and influences progression to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. Maintaining a healthy ratio may provide new approaches for managing the condition.
Scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center have found a mechanism to modify the effects of major drug class, potentially leading to better control of pain relief, inflammation, and heart disease. The new drugs aim to influence related signaling on the inside of cells, rather than on the outside.
A viral protein called p12 activates infected T cells and causes them to become sticky, adhering to other T cells. This enhanced adherence is due to clustering of special proteins on the surface of T cells.
The new multi-functional imaging technique combines AFM and SECM functionality to provide a holistic view of biological activities at the cell surface. Researchers have demonstrated its effectiveness in studying ATP release in live epithelial cells, shedding light on cystic fibrosis.
A graduate student at Virginia Tech has fabricated a biopolymer material with controlled surface morphology, enabling the study of its effects on cell adhesion. The new material is produced using the Langmuir-Blodgett technique and exhibits highly ordered poly(L-lactic acid) crystalline substrates with low surface roughness.
Researchers have discovered that certain proteins in the amniotic membranes can fuel an inflammatory response, leading to preterm labor. The study aims to develop a chemical test to identify effective drugs and block the TLRs to stop early labor.
A new discovery links the nuclear membrane with dosage compensation in fruit flies, potentially shedding light on human X-chromosome balance. Researchers hope this finding will lead to a better understanding of how cells produce equal quantities of proteins between sexes.
Researchers developed a new assay to observe real-time gene expression in live cells, providing unprecedented insights into fundamental biological processes. The technique detects protein molecules being produced in small bursts within cells and could reveal the randomness of gene expression.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed nano-keys that interact with receptors on cell membranes, triggering larger-scale responses within cells. By understanding the role of cell membranes in activating responses, scientists may develop new drug therapies for allergies, high cholesterol, and viral infections.
Researchers at Purdue University have visualized the binding of the dengue virus to a key host cell receptor, DC-SIGN. The study provides new insights into how the virus initiates infection and could potentially lead to the development of new treatments.
A team of scientists has discovered that a protein called CatSper1 plays a crucial role in hyperactivation, the whiplike motion of sperm tails, and male fertility. The breakthrough uses patch clamp recording to study electrical currents inside sperm cells, opening new avenues for research into infertility and contraception.
Berkeley researchers have created a highly selective cell adhesion system using single-stranded synthetic DNA, enabling precise patterns of multiple cell types. The technique enables the attachment of different cell types to specific locations on a surface based on nucleotide sequences.
Researchers develop a new system called WOW, which uses microscopic droplets to perform millions of tests at once, allowing for faster identification of genes and proteins. The system can identify the best enzyme from a pool of mutated enzymes in just one afternoon, compared to several months with traditional methods.
Scientists at NIST have created polymer nanotubes that are unusually long and stable, with potential applications in biotechnology. The team developed processes to extend the shelf life of these nanotubes, enabling their use as channels for tiny volumes of chemicals or as ultra-small hypodermic needles.
Researchers have found that common bacteria can exploit a natural mechanism to get inside cells, using receptors and nitric oxide to evade the immune system. By controlling dynamin activity through inhibition of nitric oxide synthases, new methods to prevent infections may be developed.
A research team led by Jue Chen has visualized the entire cycle of membrane transport proteins, which use ATP to open and close gates allowing nutrients in and waste out. This understanding could enhance knowledge of metabolism and life processes in creatures from bacteria to humans.
Advanced imaging techniques allow researchers to visualize and analyze the protein-conducting channel with unprecedented detail. The study reveals new insights into the structure and function of this complex biological system.