Articles tagged with Cell Walls
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Researchers at UQ and KTH discovered how plant cell walls balance rigidity with flexibility, thanks to a family of polymers called hemicelluloses. This breakthrough has wide applications in nutrition, medicine, agriculture and more.
Researchers found that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria adhere more strongly to hydrophobic surfaces, which have a high water-repelling effect. On these surfaces, the bacteria form robust biofilms that are difficult to remove, posing a significant threat to patients in hospitals.
Researchers have identified a new enzymatic reaction involving carbohydrates in plant cell walls, which is essential for their structure and function. This discovery contributes to our understanding of how plant cell walls can be formed, structured, and re-modelled.
A team of scientists, including Kathryn Coyne from the University of Delaware, have developed protocols for studying the genetic underpinnings of marine algae. By analyzing the genetics of a specific species of algae that produces harmful blooms, they were able to create genetically modified strains and identify genes involved in toxin...
Scientists have found that cell wall extracts from immune-active plants can trigger plant immunity and disease resistance, providing a new approach to protecting crops against pathogens and pests. This breakthrough discovery could lead to the development of simple, sustainable, and effective treatments to reduce crop losses.
Scientists found an unexpected intermediate in the peptidoglycan recycling pathway, which regulates cell wall assembly and composition. The study reveals a link between peptidoglycan recycling and de novo biosynthetic pathways.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba found that pectin plays a vital role in plant reproductive development, particularly in female reproductive tissues. The study revealed that the OsPMT16 gene is crucial for normal pistil development, leading to increased fertility and improved breeding potential.
Researchers at the University of Basel have elucidated a mechanism in which certain bacteria, including MRSA, withstand acidic conditions. This is achieved through the synthesis and transportation of lipoteichoic acids, which provide stability to the bacterial cell wall.
Scientists have produced the first high-resolution images of the cell wall of Staphylococcus aureus, a deadly bacterium with antibiotic-resistant form MRSA. The findings overturn previous theories about bacterial structure and provide insight into how antibiotics work.
Researchers identified pectin nanofilaments aligned in columns along the edge of plant cell walls, which actively drive cell shape and growth independent of turgor pressure. The filaments trigger swelling and buckling of the cell wall, leading to the formation of unusual wavy-shaped cells.
A new study reveals that pectin filaments in plant cell walls drive morphological changes by swelling, contradicting current theories on turgor pressure. This discovery could lead to the development of smart materials mimicking plant cell expansion.
A recent study reveals that the herringbone pattern in plant cell walls, created by alternating angles of cellulose layers and a protein called CSI1, is critical for cell growth. This discovery challenges existing theories about cell growth and has implications for biofuels research.
Research by ecologist Kathleen Treseder reveals that fungi make resource allocation decisions in response to climate change. In extreme conditions, fungi store more carbon, but in moderate climates, they release more carbon dioxide.
Researchers at Kobe University developed a method to control protein anchorage position in engineered yeast cells, improving ethanol production by 30% and increasing potential applications in bio-production and medicine. This technique utilizes anchoring domains to manipulate protein location on the cell surface.
University of Tartu scientists have discovered that sleeping bacteria can learn about the growth of other bacteria by spying on them. This discovery offers hope for creating a solution for chronic infections that do not respond to antibiotic treatment.
The study uses low-temperature scanning electron microscopy to image the nanoscale architecture of tree cell walls in their living state. It reveals that macrofibril structures with a diameter exceeding 10 nanometres are common across all trees studied, providing new insights into wood's mechanical properties.
Researchers develop technique to trick bacteria into revealing hundreds of holes in their cell walls, making them vulnerable to drugs. This could lead to more effective or antibiotic-free treatments that target these pores.
Researchers used supercomputing and nano-imaging to reveal how a 'lignin-first' approach can facilitate the efficient breakdown of plant biomass. The study found that pretreating plant biomass with specific co-solvents, such as tetrahydrofuran and water, can help break down lignin and increase enzyme access to cellulose.
Cara Boutte's research aims to better understand how mycobacteria respond to stress and develop effective treatments. The project will characterize two systems by which mycobacteria regulate cell growth and division in response to stress, leading to new mechanisms of cell wall regulation.
Scientists have identified genes involved in sugarcane root cell separation, a process that can be applied to other parts of the plant. The development of transgenic varieties with soft cell walls similar to papaya could increase sucrose extraction and reduce enzyme cocktails for ethanol production.
A research team led by Natalia Korotkova has identified a potential target for developing a vaccine against Group A Streptococcus, which causes strep throat and other serious infections. The gacH gene, which enables the bacteria to reinforce its resistance to the immune system, is a promising candidate for vaccine design.
Researchers at Indiana University have developed a new tool to observe living cells in real time under a microscope, advancing knowledge on how bacteria build their cell walls. This technology has significant value in addressing antibiotic resistance, which affects at least 2 million people in the US each year.
The study reveals that PI4P plays a crucial role in ensuring proper assembly and disassembly of the phragmoplast, leading to regular cell division and stable plant growth. Disrupted membrane building blocks result in severe defects in cell division, impacting plant stability, size, and adaptability.
Researchers found that cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin polymers contribute to secondary cell wall formation independently of each other. The study suggests that microtubules regulate the patterning of hemicellulose and lignin, rather than cellulose.
Researchers have identified multiple enzymes and channel proteins involved in plant defense mechanisms, including a reserve system that acts as backup for immune responses. The findings have practical utility for agriculture, such as cultivating crops that can resist different stresses more effectively.
Researchers at LSU have characterized the cell wall structure of Aspergillus fumigatus, a fatal fungus affecting over 200,000 people annually. The high-resolution architecture reveals a semi-waterproof core and sugar-protein mixture, providing molecular basis for engineering effective antifungal drugs.
Researchers discovered that plants create a molecular brace composed of lignin in the detachment zone to facilitate precise shedding. Additionally, they form a protective coating made of cutin on newly exposed cell surfaces, preventing infection and external harm.
Researchers found a new polysaccharide in moss with properties similar to beta glucan, a dietary fiber known for its health benefits. The discovery suggests great potential for this new compound as it relates to health, industrial and medical fields.
Researchers at the University of Notre Dame discovered that lytic transglycosylase Slt helps gram-negative bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa recover from antibiotic damage by repairing its cell wall. The enzyme rapidly attempts to rebuild the organism's structural entity, allowing it to survive and continue causing infection.
Researchers have developed a glowing molecule that can detect live tuberculosis bacteria, offering a quick and simple diagnosis method. The molecule, DMN-Tre, incorporates into the cell membranes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacteria, allowing for accurate detection in sputum samples.
Roots face challenges in saline soils, but plant cells can sense damage and respond with strength-enhancing chemicals to prevent explosion.
Researchers at UMass Amherst and Stanford have discovered a new function of the receptor kinase FERONIA in Arabidopsis plants. The study shows that FERONIA acts as a sensor in the cell wall to maintain its integrity and protect against environmental assaults.
Researchers at Newcastle University have identified how lysozyme and penicillin work together to cause recurrent infections, shedding light on why some patients become resistant to antibiotics. The study also reveals the formation of L-forms, bacteria that can grow in human tissue without cell walls, leading to recurring infections.
A team of researchers discovered that mild heat stress damages the cell wall of Salmonella bacteria without rupturing them. This finding could lead to more efficient ways to deactivate bacteria using shorter heating times at lower temperatures, improving food safety and reducing energy consumption.
Researchers used high-speed pulse-chase imaging to study fungal growth, revealing precise timing of vesicle movement and motor protein involvement. The technique provided unprecedented precision, allowing for the discovery of different types of vesicles moving at varying velocities along the hypha.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that moss Funaria hygrometrica can absorb up to 74% of lead from water. The moss's cell walls contain polygalacturonic acid, which is responsible for absorbing the metal.
A team of researchers has identified a gene involved in the stiffening of cell walls whose suppression increases the release of sugars by up to 60%. This breakthrough could lead to improved feed for ruminants and better biomass for biofuels, with potential global implications.
A new open-source device called ACME enables scientists to measure spatial variation in the mechanical properties of plant cells with unprecedented accuracy. The device can help understand mechanisms of plant growth and develop conditions that promote plant cell wall extensibility, enhancing plant growth at the cellular level.
Researchers identified a cell wall signal that initiates darkness programme in seedling development, enhancing survival. The signal is linked to metabolic breakdown products of pectin, allowing plant cells to communicate with each other about light conditions.
Researchers from Brazil and France identify a new target for developing antibiotics against highly resistant bacteria, inhibiting the interaction of two key proteins involved in cell wall elongation. The discovery paves the way for the development of antibiotics with a different action mechanism, offering hope in combating drug-resista...
Researchers have developed bifunctional molecules that bind both chitin in fungal cell walls and human antibodies, redirecting the immune system to eliminate fungal pathogens. The new approach has shown synergistic effects with antifungal agents, holding promise for fighting echinocandin-resistant fungi.
Bacterial membrane vesicles are nanoscale spheres formed by bacteria, potentially used in cancer treatment and nanotechnology. Researchers visualized their formation using live cell imaging and electron cryotomography, revealing that endolysin enzymes play a crucial role in their production.
Researchers have found that bacteria can use mechanical cues to maintain their shape and recover from deformation. The study, published in Nature Microbiology, shows that Escherichia coli uses mechanical strain to grow its cell wall and recover its shape after being twisted out of shape.
The study provides detailed information about the genetics of crop plants, enabling breeders to identify key genes responsible for cell wall properties. By linking this data to specific changes in genetic information, researchers can make targeted improvements to support agricultural industries and biofuel production.
Researchers developed a 'good heart' muffin to help reduce the risk of heart disease through soluble fibre, meeting food standard guidelines for cholesterol-lowering properties. The muffins contain three grams of beta glucans, a healthy ingredient found in oats and cereals.
Researchers have observed a complex process in plant cell wall growth using nanoscale imaging. The findings suggest that microfibrils' movements under stretching regimes reveal a different pattern of motion than previously thought.
Grimes, assistant professor in UD's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, will use her fellowship to investigate how chronic inflammatory diseases, such as asthma and Crohn's disease, arise from bacterial cell wall fragments. Her work aims to understand the immune system's response to these molecules.
An international team of scientists has discovered the critical role of FtsZ filament motion in bacterial cell division, revealing a novel mechanism for building the cell wall. The study provides insights into the process and potential targets for new antibiotics.
Researchers discovered how bacteria build new cell walls by 'treadmilling', adding material to the front and removing it from the rear. This process allows for rapid cell division, with new cell walls constructed in just 10-15 minutes.
A new study reveals the operation of biochemical clockwork that drives cellular division in bacteria, using a revolutionary method to color bacterial cell walls. The discovery could inform efforts to develop drugs against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which pose a major risk to human health.
Duke University researchers have solved the molecular structure of MurJ, a key protein in bacterial cell wall construction. The discovery could aid in the development of new antibiotics to combat mounting antibacterial resistance.
Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery of how key sugars in cells bind to form strong, indigestible materials. Cellulose induces xylan to untwist itself and straighten out, allowing it to attach itself to the cellulose molecule, forming a 'glue' that makes very strong structures.
A team of scientists at Ames Laboratory will develop a subdiffraction Raman imaging platform to analyze plant cell walls' chemical structures. This will enable better understanding of how to convert plant material into biofuels.
A team of researchers from Germany and France has developed an equation of state for wood, which can predict water uptake in treated wood with a simple analytical model. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more environmentally friendly preservation treatments and bio-inspired smart actuators.
Harvard Medical School scientists have identified a new family of proteins that virtually all bacteria use to build and maintain their cell walls. The discovery of this new family, called SEDS proteins, reveals potential targets for much-needed therapies that target the cell wall as a way to kill harmful bacteria.
Bacteria have adapted their cell walls to create better-fitted structures for survival in challenging environments. The study reveals unprecedented chemical modifications that enable bacteria to resist lytic enzymes and elicit an innate immune system response in certain hosts.
Researchers developed a method to study cellular response by capturing individual cells in microscopic gel beads, allowing for manipulation of the external environment and observation of regenerative ability. This tool promises to shed light on single cell biomechanics and unravel the nuances of micromechanics within plant cells.
Researchers mapped changes in plant cell wall composition over space and time using Arabidopsis as a model organism, revealing key roles in plant developmental pathways. The study identifies essential genes involved in cellulose production and suggests selective breeding to enhance plant properties.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology discovered that stick insects have enzymes capable of degrading complex plant cell wall components, including xyloglucan. This discovery marks the first known xyloglucanase of any kind to be found in multicellular animals.
Researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital found that maternal bacterial infections trigger abnormal proliferation of neurons in the fetal brain, leading to changes in cognitive functioning and increased risk of autism. Treatment with antibiotics like ampicillin may exacerbate these effects.