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Real-time imaging of contact between cells and between a single neuron’s extensions

Scientists from The University of Osaka have created two new fluorescent markers, Gachapin and Gachapin-C, that can visualize dynamic cell-to-cell contacts and connections within a single neuron's extensions. These indicators allow for the monitoring of complex patterns of connectivity in various cell types, including neurons.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalCell Reports Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026

Capturing the moment of organelle handoff inside living cells

For the first time, researchers have directly visualized how newly formed cellular organelles leave the endoplasmic reticulum and transition onto microtubule tracks inside living cells. The study reveals that the ER plays an active role in steering intracellular traffic.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2026

The mouse eye as a window to spotting systemic disease

A new technology allows for clear observation of living retina and microglia's behavior, revealing their increased activity before tissue damage in diabetic mice. The study found that the diabetes drug liraglutide reduced microglia's activity in healthy mice too, suggesting a direct modulation mechanism.

SourceKobe University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 6, 2025

From growing roots, clues to how stem cells decide their fate

Researchers at Duke University have discovered how stem cells decide their fate by analyzing the activity of two key regulators, short-root and scarecrow, in real-time using light sheet microscopy. This finding has implications for understanding cell development and preventing diseases such as cancer.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 9, 2024
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Researchers overcome stem cell delivery barrier, paving the way for regenerative medicine

Scientists have developed a new method to deliver genetic information to stem cells using nanoparticles coated with a specific polymer, enabling more efficient control over cellular differentiation. This innovation has the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of regenerative medicine treatments.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalNano Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2023
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

New IVF method: More expensive, not more effective

A new IVF method using time-lapse monitoring has been found not to improve pregnancy rates or shorten the time it takes to get pregnant. The study, which evaluated 1731 patients over a year, also found that this approach does not lead to extra costs or benefits.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalThe Lancet·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateMar 30, 2023

A Pitt lab shows phage attacks in new light

A Pitt lab discovery sheds light on how a specific mutation in the lsr2 gene helps bacteria resist phage infection. The team developed new tools to visualize phages attacking bacteria, revealing critical insights into the mechanisms of phage resistance.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 6, 2023

Just wait a femtosecond

Scientists from the University of Tsukuba created a scanning tunneling microscopy system that captures images as fast as 30 femtoseconds, allowing for faster study of rapid processes in materials. This advancement enables researchers to understand ultrafast dynamics and behavior of materials more accurately.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalACS Photonics·DateSep 7, 2022

Getting fuel to an invading cell's front line

Researchers have identified two glucose transporters that disrupt the energy supply to invading worm cells and stop them in their tracks. By deactivating these genes, glucose and ATP levels dropped, and worm cells stalled their spread. This discovery could lead to new ways to cut off cancer cells' fuel lines and prevent metastasis.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevelopmental Cell·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2022
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Recycling a cell’s energy centers to ward off Parkinson's disease

Scientists discovered a new mitochondrial recycling pathway that may help prevent Parkinson's disease. The study, published in Science Advances, reveals that genes associated with Parkinson's disease play key roles in this process and that disruptions can contribute to neurodegeneration.

SourceGladstone Institutes·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 6, 2021

Clear view on stem cell development

Researchers developed an algorithm to correct images and make hitherto hidden development steps visible, allowing for more accurate detection of regulatory proteins active during stem cell development. The 'BaSiC' software can correct changes in the background of time-lapse videos, making it a valuable tool for stem cell researchers.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 21, 2017

Big data for small cells

A new software has been developed to analyze time-lapse microscopy movies, enabling the measurement of cellular properties such as cell cycle length and protein expression dynamics. The tool is freely available online and has already led to high-impact publications in top scientific journals.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJul 19, 2016

UTSW researchers build powerful 3-D microscope, create images of cancer cells

UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers have designed a powerful 3-D microscope capable of creating high-resolution images of living cancer cells in controlled microenvironments. The new approach enables detailed study of cell interactions with their environment, accelerating discovery in biology.

SourceUT Southwestern Medical Center·JournalDevelopmental Cell·DateFeb 24, 2016
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Scientists could save thousands of pounds with student's DIY microscope

A PhD student at Brunel University London created a low-cost inverted microscope by adapting a cheap instrument to measure cell motility and study the immune system of snails. The instrument, costing around £160, is significantly cheaper than high-quality equipment that can stretch to hundreds of thousands of pounds.

SourceBrunel University·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 25, 2014

Battle against resistant bacteria takes huge leap forward

A new method developed in collaboration with Unisensor A/S can determine the optimal antibiotic treatment for a given bacterial infection within 2-4 hours, reducing the response time by half. This faster diagnosis can help prevent the development of resistant bacteria and shorten disease courses.

SourceAarhus University·DateNov 8, 2013
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Intelligent microscopy

The Micropilot software brings machine learning to microscopy, analyzing low-resolution images and automatically performing complex experiments when cells with interesting features are detected. It has been used to uncover the roles of proteins in cell division and will be a key tool for European systems biology projects.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalNature Methods·DateJan 24, 2011

'Virtual' mouse brains now available online

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new method for creating ultra-high resolution 3D images of tiny mouse brains using magnetic resonance imaging. The technology allows for the detailed visualization of brain structures and their relationship to genetics, enabling scientists to study gene-brain connections.

SourceDuke University·JournalNeuroImage·DateJul 9, 2007