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An evolutionary breakpoint in cell division

Researchers from Osaka University have found that the interaction between M18BP1/KNL2 and CENP-A proteins is crucial for cell division in various species except mammals, including humans. This essential protein interaction allows new CENP-A deposition into centromeres to maintain genome information equally during mitosis.

SourceOsaka University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateJul 30, 2017

Understanding HIV's persistence

A new study found that HIV-1 infected cells can persist in the body for decades by exploiting normal cell proliferation. The research identified a single infected CD4 T cell that can amplify the number of virally infected cells through clonal proliferation, leading to a million-fold increase.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateJun 19, 2017

What the hair of a fly tells us about cancer

Scientists at the University of Geneva found that a protein called Sara plays a crucial role in guiding endosomes to differentiate between cells, a process essential for fly hair development. Mutant flies without Sara have naked backs, highlighting the significance of this mechanism in cancer tumour formation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 6, 2017

New insight into brain development disorder

The ASPM protein collaborates with katanin to regulate cell division and specialization into nerve cells, crucial for healthy brain development. A study published in Nature Cell Biology provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying microcephaly.

SourceUtrecht University·JournalNature Cell Biology·DateApr 24, 2017

Same but different

A study published in Science reveals how bacteria can exhibit different behaviors despite having the same genes. Researchers found that protein complexes play a crucial role in this phenomenon, and biased partitioning of these complexes can lead to the emergence of extreme phenotypes.

Bacterium named after UQ researcher

A new marine bacterium, Fuerstia marisgermanicae, has been named in honour of UQ microbiologist Emeritus Professor John Fuerst. The discovery reflects the global scientific community's high regard for Professor Fuerst's contributions to planctomycete research.

SourceUniversity of Queensland·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·DateJan 17, 2017

Understanding bacteria's slimy fortresses

Researchers tracked a single bacterial cell as it grew into a mature biofilm of 10,000 cells. They found that the bacteria secrete a glue-like substance to keep from getting washed away and protect themselves from competing bacteria. A key gene, RbmA, plays a crucial role in developing a denser, stronger biofilm.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2016

Biophysics: Closing the ring

Physicists have found a novel pattern-forming mechanism in biological systems, with the discovery of a crucial protein that forms ring-shaped filaments to constrict bacterial cells. At high concentrations, FtsZ polymers self-organize into ring-like structures, leading to the formation of Z-rings and daughter cells.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 3, 2016

How yeast makes heads or tails of itself

Researchers at the University at Buffalo discovered how yeast cells decide their direction of growth, revealing the concept of polarity and its role in propelling single-celled organisms forward. The study found that Bud proteins play a crucial role in determining cell orientation, adapting to changes in nutrient availability.

SourceUniversity at Buffalo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 21, 2016

2016 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine

Andrea Ballabio and John Diffley receive the 2016 Louis-Jeantet Prize for Medicine for their pioneering work on lysosomal function and its significance in diseases such as neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and obesity. Their research could lead to new therapeutic tools for treating human diseases.

SourceEMBO·DateJan 20, 2016

Turning point of a lifetime

Scientists have developed a new light sheet microscope that can record the first two to three days of a mouse embryo's life. By tracking each cell's daughters, grand-daughters, great-granddaughters, and so on, they identified a crucial turning point in the embryo's development.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateDec 15, 2015

It's all about polarity

Asymmetric cell division occurs when endosomes, containing signalling molecules, are distributed unevenly between daughter cells. The central spindle, a scaffold structure composed of microtubules, plays a crucial role in dispatching this information.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalNature·DateDec 9, 2015

The cell membrane winds up like a watch

Cell membranes deform when viruses detach and during cell division, thanks to the ESCRT-III protein complex forming a molecular spring. Researchers used high-speed atomic force microscopy to observe the complex's movements in real-time, validating their theoretical models.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalCell·DateOct 29, 2015

A barrier against brain stem cell aging

Scientists at the University of Zurich discovered a novel mechanism that helps neural stem cells resist aging-induced damage. A diffusion barrier in the endoplasmic reticulum regulates the sorting of damaged proteins, allowing for rejuvenation and longer lifespan.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalScience·DateSep 17, 2015

New cell division mechanism discovered

A team of Canadian and British researchers has made a breakthrough discovery about the cell division mechanism, finding that chromosomes emit signals to influence microtubule action. This signaling pathway is crucial for the segregation of chromosomes during cytokinesis, a critical step in cell division.

SourceUniversity of Montreal·JournalNature·DateJul 13, 2015

How dividing cells end up the same size

Researchers at Duke University found that the initial size of cells determines how much they grow before dividing into two, contrary to previous findings. This discovery was made possible by analyzing oscillations in cell growth and gene expression using a unique device that allows for single-cell analysis.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·DateJun 4, 2015

Pitt/McGowan Institute team discovers stem cells in the esophagus

Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered a pool of stem cells in the esophagus, which could lead to new treatments for esophageal cancer and Barrett's esophagus. The study found that these stem cells divide slowly compared to other cells in the esophagus, suggesting they may play a role in tissue rene...