Cells use concentration gradients as a compass
Biophysicists at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munch have developed a new theory, which accounts for the observation that cells can perceive their own shapes, and use this information to direct the distribution of proteins inside the cell......»»
Nature"s 3D printer: Bristle worms form bristles piece by piece
A new interdisciplinary study led by molecular biologist Florian Raible from the Max Perutz Labs at the University of Vienna provides exciting insights into the bristles of the marine annelid worm Platynereis dumerilii. Specialized cells, called chae.....»»
Scientists unlock key to breeding "carbon gobbling" plants with a major appetite
The discovery of how a critical enzyme "hidden in nature's blueprint" works sheds new light on how cells control key processes in carbon fixation, a process fundamental for life on Earth......»»
Researchers reveal new cellular mechanical transducer
A research team has uncovered a novel regulator governing how cells respond to mechanical cues. Their findings appear in Nature Cell Biology......»»
Research presents 2D dipole orientation method for mapping cells
Due to the high transparency of cells, it is very difficult to observe the organelles within them. Biologists can label specific organelles for observation through fluorescence staining. This is somewhat analogous to being in an environment without l.....»»
How aging clocks tick: New study points to stochastic changes in cells
Aging clocks can measure the biological age of humans with high precision. Biological age can be influenced by environmental factors such as smoking or diet, thus deviating from chronological age that is calculated using the date of birth. The precis.....»»
Genes spatially organize for efficient mRNA splicing, study shows
The nucleus of each of your cells contains all the genetic information (the genome) necessary to build every type of cell and protein in your entire body. Like a complex library in a tiny space 50 times smaller than the width of a human hair, genes a.....»»
Shaping up how red blood cell deformability is assessed—researchers develop new approach
Red blood cells (RBCs) transport oxygen throughout the body and are able to pass through a complex of narrow capillaries due to their ability to deform. "The deformability of RBCs is an important indicator of their health and functionality, and chang.....»»
Researchers discover new function of oncoproteins
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a new function of the oncoprotein MYCN: It not only helps cancer cells to grow stronger, but also makes them more resistant to drugs. The study is published in Molecular Cell......»»
New technology changes how proteins in individual cells are studied
Researchers from Karolinska Institutet, together with Pixelgen Technologies, have developed and applied a technique that makes it possible to map proteins in individual cells in a completely new way. Not only is it now possible to measure the amount.....»»
Study pinpoints cellular response to pressure in sea star embryos
An international team of scientists has discovered a new cellular mechanism that explains how cells can adapt to pressure changes during tissue growth by packing themselves into a unique shape......»»
Study reveals differences in DNA folding between neurons and other brain cells, links them to cell functions
Researchers from Skoltech and their colleagues have investigated nerve cell regulation. Mounting knowledge of regulation mechanisms could enable a better understanding of how the healthy brain operates and what goes wrong in developmental and oncolog.....»»
Study sheds light on cancer cell "tug-of-war"
Understanding how cancerous cells spread from a primary tumor is important for any number of reasons, including determining the aggressiveness of the disease itself. The movement of cells into the extracellular matrix (ECM) of neighboring tissue is a.....»»
Decoding development: mRNA"s role in embryo formation
A new study at Hebrew University reveals insights into mRNA regulation during embryonic development. The study sheds light on the intricate process of mRNA regulation during embryonic development, providing novel insights into how pluripotent cells a.....»»
Free-forming organelles help plants adapt to climate change
Plants' ability to sense light and temperature, and their ability to adapt to climate change, hinges on free-forming structures in their cells whose function was, until now, a mystery......»»
Seeing is believing: Observation of migrasomes
Migrasomes, novel organelles first reported by Professor Li Yu' s team in 2015, are vesicular structures with diameters ranging from 0.5 to 3 micrometers that form on the retraction fibers at the rear of migrating cells. These structures contain vari.....»»
Designing a novel substrate for myogenic differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells
Since their discovery, researchers have repeatedly demonstrated the potential medical applications of differentiated cells and tissues generated from induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. However, a significant hurdle to real-world medical applicatio.....»»
Laboratory and natural strains of intestinal bacterium turn out to have similar mutational profiles
Understanding mutational processes in a cell offers clues to the evolution of a genome. Most actively, mutation processes are studied in human cancer cells, while other genomes are often neglected......»»
Rich molecular language guides tiny liquid droplet formation in cells
Peering into a biological cell reveals a bustling microscopic world. The workhorses within this realm are specialized structures called organelles that perform vital cellular functions. Curiously, some organelles defy accepted convention: Instead of.....»»
Researchers develop new AI tool for fast and precise tissue analysis to support drug discovery and diagnostics
A team of scientists from A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) and Bioinformatics Institute (BII) has developed a new AI software tool called "BANKSY" that automatically recognizes the cell types present in a tissue, such as muscle cells, ner.....»»
Cellphone ban won"t address mental health, classroom concentration issues, say experts
While a ban on cellphones in Ontario classrooms will temporarily keep them out of students' hands, the move will do little to support the mental health of youth across the province, say Brock University experts......»»