A University of Washington scientist has developed a new method using nanoscale test tubes to conduct chemical analysis and experimentation. The approach captures single cells or small subcellular structures within tiny water droplets, allowing for the study of chemical processes and biochemical information at unprecedented scales.
Researchers at Lehigh University have used optical tweezers to study the interior of endothelial cells in a non-invasive way, discovering a rhythmic pattern in the rigidity of the cytoskeleton. This pattern appears to change by a factor of four every 20-30 seconds, raising questions about its triggers and significance.
Researchers have discovered an organelle in a prokaryotic bacterium that is identical to the acidocalcisome found in eukaryotes. The finding suggests a targeted approach to killing disease-causing organisms and challenges the origin of eukaryotic organelles.
A study by University of Illinois researchers has identified a mechanism that determines whether pigment moves within cells. The discovery reveals that the motor protein is disengaged as a result of phosphorylation during cell division. If confirmed, this finding could lead to new cancer treatments targeting specific mechanisms.
The study demonstrates a fundamental role of caveolin-1 and caveolae in organizing multiple signalling pathways in the cell. The absence of caveolae impaired nitric oxide and calcium signaling, leading to severe physical limitations in caveolin-1-disrupted mice.