Articles tagged with Cell Walls
Scientists at Eindhoven University of Technology and McGill University have successfully transported the defective CFTR protein to cell walls, a crucial step towards developing a cystic fibrosis drug. The researchers discovered a naturally occurring substance called fusicoccin-A that enables this transport process.
Researchers used large-scale computer modeling to study the effects of confinement on macromolecules inside cells, finding that particles near cell walls linger for extended periods. This could improve understanding of cellular signaling and lead to new therapeutic designs.
By creating inside-out plants, scientists can observe the interior cells synthesizing cellulose in high resolution. The study reveals that plant cells need a high density of enzymes and rapid movement across the cell surface to produce cellulose quickly, with significant implications for plant breeding and industries relying on cellulose.
Researchers tracked cellulose production in real-time to understand how thick and strong secondary cell walls are built, shedding light on the essential adaptation of plants from sea to land. The discovery may also aid in engineering plants with improved mechanical properties.
Researchers have discovered a potential new class of antibiotics inspired by sugar molecules produced by bacteria, offering a new hope in the fight against drug-resistant superbugs. The modified sugar molecules target a crucial part of the bacterial cell wall, killing the bacteria without developing resistance.
Researchers used IBM's supercomputing power to model cellulose at the molecular level, revealing a new understanding of its structure and dynamics. The insights could lead to disease-resistant crop varieties and increased sustainability in the pulp and paper industry.
A breakthrough in understanding plant cell walls could lead to innovative renewable materials and energy solutions. The discovery reveals a previously unknown molecular arrangement, providing new insights into the mechanical strength of plants.
Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered that resistant barley varieties accumulate beta-glucan in their cell walls, which may influence nutrient flow and natural defense strategies against cereal cyst nematode. This finding could lead to new targets for resistance strategies in barley and other cereal crops.
Researchers found that actin fibers run throughout the cell, forming a network of 'roadways' for material transport. The study's findings could help engineer better cotton fibers, improve plant defense against insects, and alter plant architecture.
Researchers introduced new metabolic pathways into yeast to efficiently ferment xylose and hemicellulose from plant cell walls. This allows for biofuel production without harsh pre-treatments or expensive enzymes, overcoming existing bottlenecks in fermentation of lignocellulosic feedstocks.
A team of Indiana University researchers has been awarded a major grant to develop and use chemical tagging methods to understand how bacterial cells build their cell walls, a key target for new antibiotics. The team plans to create new probes to track peptidoglycan synthesis in bacteria such as E. coli, B. subtilis, and S. pneumoniae.
Researchers have identified specialized cell walls in disease-resistant wheat varieties that could help produce stronger durum wheat for improved pasta production. The study found a new gene, WheatPME1, that can change the chemical structure of pectin, a key component of plant cell walls.
Researchers discover penicillin works by setting in motion a toxic malfunctioning of the cell's wall-building machinery, which depletes cells of resources. This finding could lead to new ways to thwart drug resistance.
Researchers have identified variant straw plants with highly digestible cell walls, paving the way for cost-effective and sustainable biofuels. These discoveries could help ease pressure on global food security and reduce carbon emissions, making them a promising solution to address climate change.
Researchers developed a novel approach to study the 3D structure of plant cell walls using cryo-immobilized samples, revealing previously unseen details. This technique improves our knowledge of plant cell wall composition and can lead to more efficient production of biofuels.
Researchers have developed a powerful new tool to identify and characterize nucleotide sugar transporters, critical components in the biosynthesis of plant cell walls. The assay enabled the characterization of six novel transporters in Arabidopsis, revealing their bispecific nature and regulation by substrate availability.
Researchers discovered a way to increase polysaccharides in barley plants, blocking fungal penetration and creating more resistant lines available for growers. Powdery mildew is a significant problem worldwide, causing up to 25% yield reductions and market value losses.
Researchers at JBEI have created the first glycosyltransferase clone collection, targeting plant cell wall biosynthesis and enabling modification of biomass for fuel yields. The collection, led by Joshua Heazlewood, provides a functional genomic framework for studying GTs and their role in plant biology.
Researchers at Norwich BioScience Institutes have found ways to improve the efficiency of turning straw into biofuel. By varying pre-treatment stages, they increased cellulose conversion and sugar yield.
Researchers used microfluidic devices to trap bacterial cells and bathe them in different solutions, revealing that cell walls grow regardless of external pressures. The study's findings challenge the prevailing wisdom on osmotic shock, which may lead to new strategies for fighting bacterial diseases.
A team of researchers at Indiana University has successfully detected peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall of Chlamydiae, a common target for antibiotics. The discovery could lead to new strategies for developing drugs against this leading cause of STD and other diseases.
Researchers found that thicker leaves have larger cells in all tissues except vascular tissue, and cell walls are proportionally thicker. The team developed new mathematical equations to predict internal anatomy from leaf thickness, providing insights into leaf function and design.
Iowa State University researchers have discovered the binding site of a protein that loosens plant cell walls, allowing plants to grow. The discovery uses advanced NMR technology and could lead to more efficient bioenergy production.
Gold nanoparticles with special coatings can deliver drugs or biosensors to a cell's interior without damaging it. Researchers have figured out how the process works, including the crucial first step of fusing with lipids in the cell wall.
A Penn State University team wins the US Department of Energy poster competition using only 1000 commonly used words, explaining how energy from sunlight is captured by plants and stored in plant cell walls. The team's creative approach helped them win first prize out of 31 submissions.
Researchers have discovered that thioridazine, a drug previously used to treat schizophrenia, works against antibiotic-resistant bacteria by removing glycine from the cell wall. This interaction enables antibiotics to attack and kill the weakened bacteria, paving the way for new treatments.
Researchers found that two enzyme paradigms - free and complexed enzymes - use different mechanisms to degrade biomass at the nanometer scale. Combining these systems enhances catalytic performance, suggesting an optimal strategy may already exist.
Researchers at Joint BioEnergy Institute develop new strategy to enhance polysaccharide deposition in plant cell walls, reducing lignin content and improving sugar release. This breakthrough could increase cell wall content for the pulping industry, bioenergy applications, and improve crop yields.
The High-Throughput Analytical Pyrolysis (HTAP) tool from NREL can analyze hundreds of biomass samples daily, providing early insights into ideal plant genes. This accelerated method reduces the time required to analyze a sample from two weeks to just two minutes.
Scientists at the University of Georgia have identified a direct connection between plant cell wall glycans and proteins, potentially revolutionizing biofuel processing. The discovery may lead to more efficient conversion of plants into ethanol, providing a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.
Researchers created a biophysical model predicting that holes larger than 15-24 nanometers would cause bacterial cells to burst. Experiments validated this theory by measuring holes in lysed bacteria cells with diameters of 22-180 nanometers.
Researchers at JBEI identified the first enzyme capable of boosting galactan in plant cell walls, increasing the amount of sugars that can be fermented into fuels. This discovery provides an important new tool for engineering advanced bioenergy fuel crops.
Researchers calculate how cellulose in wood decomposes when heated, offering a new mechanism for converting farmed and waste wood into useful bio-oils. The findings could spur more effective and efficient ways of extracting energy from wood.
Research reveals that symplasmic transport plays a crucial role in transporting nutrients and signaling molecules long distances within tree tissues. The study found that fluorescent dyes could be visualized in living cells and cytoplasmic bridges, confirming intercellular movement.
The NREL team developed a breakthrough method using microscopic imaging to study the relationships between biomass cell wall structure and enzyme digestibility. They found that understanding the localization of enzymes and their effects on the cell wall is crucial for optimizing sugar yields and reducing costs in biofuel production.
Joint BioEnergy Institute researchers identify a gene in rice plants that improves extraction of xylan and release of sugars needed for biofuels by over 60%. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient production of advanced biofuels.
The Johns Hopkins team used X-ray crystallography to map the arrangement of atoms in the enzyme that forms unique molecular bonds within the cell wall of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This structure reveals a distinct pattern of bonds, creating a new target for TB drug development.
A new diagnostic and antibiotic discovery tool has been developed using multicolored probes targeting cell wall synthesis in bacteria. This method enables fine spatiotemporal tracking of cell wall dynamics and will broadly impact basic and applied research on bacterial growth and control.
Researchers in Adelaide and Italy are working on projects to improve the quality of pasta by increasing dietary fiber and starch levels. The goal is to create 'super spaghetti' that offers potential health benefits, such as reducing heart disease risk or colorectal cancer risk.
Andrew Lovering, a renowned structural biologist, has received the ICAAC Young Investigator Award for his seminal research on bacterial cell wall synthesis and modification. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of antibacterial targets and membrane-anchored proteins in bacteria.
Researchers have found that plants exhibit a wide range of mechanical properties, from stiffness and strength. Fruits and vegetables are the least stiff, while densest palms can be 100,000 times stiffer. Plants' microstructures, such as cell wall composition and arrangement, contribute to this diversity.
Researchers have found that a Purdue-developed transgenic tomato allows more calcium to be free and mobile in tomato cells, significantly reducing the occurrence of blossom end rot. The study shows that up to 70% less blossom end rot occurs in Handa's transgenic tomatoes compared to non-engineered tomatoes
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a superbug killer coating that is 99% effective against bacteria and fungi. The coating uses a magnetic-like feature to attract and kill microorganisms, offering an alternative solution to combat antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
A UCLA study resolves decades-old debates on plant drought tolerance, finding that saltier cell sap is key to survival. The team's discovery allows for predictions of which species can thrive in dry environments.
A research team including Iowa State University chemists has found that genetic mutations to cellulose in plants can improve the conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels. The team discovered that mutated plant cell walls produce less crystalline cellulose, making it easier to break down into fermentable sugars.
Scientists have discovered a way to reduce cellulose crystallinity, a key stumbling block in biofuels development. The study found that certain mutations in genes encode cellulose synthase proteins can produce cellulose with lower crystallinity, making it easier to digest.
Researchers at University of Georgia discovered that GAUT1 and GAUT7 proteins form a critical part of pectin-synthesizing protein complexes in plant cells. This fundamental discovery opens a new door to converting plants to biofuels and other carbon-based products.
Scientists identify a gene that controls hemicellulose acetylation, a major obstacle to producing biofuels from non-food sources. Blocking this enzyme could lead to a 10% reduction in bioethanol price and pave the way for more cost-effective production of biofuels.
Fungi such as Candida albicans are resisting the latest antifungal drugs due to their ability to alter cell wall structure. The use of echinocandins, which target beta-glucan enzyme, is being re-evaluated in light of this resistance.
Researchers have discovered a method to overcome the chemical intractability of cellulose, allowing its efficient conversion into bioethanol. This breakthrough represents a major step towards industrial production of fuels and chemicals from renewable cellulose in waste plant matter.
Bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa uses a toxin delivery system called Type VI secretion system (T6SS) to break down rival bacteria's protective barriers. The mechanism also helps the bacterium protect itself from its own toxins, making it a major public health concern.
Researchers have discovered conserved enzymes for cell wall synthesis across various plant species, including barley, rice, and wheat. This finding has significant implications for improving crop yields and unlocking the full potential of industrial applications.
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.
Laccase enzymes have been found to contribute significantly to lignification in Arabidopsis, playing a central role in the formation of this biopolymer. The study's findings suggest that genetic engineering of laccases could lead to improved saccharification and biofuel production.
Researchers have developed a method to identify lytic enzymes with optimal bacteria-killing characteristics, which can target superbugs while leaving beneficial bacteria intact. The discovery aims to hasten the development of engineered enzymes for clinical use and offer a 'push button technology' solution.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute identify CSI1 protein involved in cellulose synthesis, linked to improved cell wall digestibility and energy generation. The discovery aims to increase animal feed efficiency and tap into plant cell walls as a renewable energy source.
Scientists use four imaging techniques to visualize single cells in detail, cellular substructures, and chemical composition of zinnia cells, indicating an abundance of lignocellulose. This research aims to enhance understanding of cell wall molecular architecture for efficient conversion of biomass to liquid fuels.
Researchers have isolated the ICR1 protein, which influences auxin distribution in plants, allowing breeders to manipulate plant cell wall composition and increase yields for biofuel production. This breakthrough has the potential to make fuel production more cost-effective by reducing lignin content and increasing cellulose levels.
Researchers have created a way to implant an inorganic device into a cell wall without damaging it, allowing for up to a week of observation. The 'stealth' probe mimics natural gateways in the cell membrane and integrates smoothly into membranes, enabling electrical access to the inside of cells.
Researchers used electron microscopy to observe Xylella fastidiosa bacteria breaking down plant cell walls, weakening and killing grape plants. The study aims to understand the disease's progression and develop prevention strategies.