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......»»
Newly discovered protein prevents DNA triplication
Every time a cell divides, its DNA is duplicated so that the two daughter cells have the same genetic material as their parent. This means that, millions of times a day, a biochemical wonder takes place in the body: the copying of the DNA molecule. I.....»»
Scientists reveal how first cells could have formed on Earth
Roughly 4 billion years ago, Earth was developing conditions suitable for life. Origin-of-life scientists often wonder if the type of chemistry found on the early Earth was similar to what life requires today. They know that spherical collections of.....»»
Radio waves can tune up bacteria to become life-saving medicines
Scientists from Australia and the United States have found a new way to alter the DNA of bacterial cells—a process used to make many vital medicines including insulin—much more efficiently than standard industry techniques......»»
Eco-friendly catalyst and materials research explores pathways to renewable energy
The search for sustainable and affordable energy conversion technologies has highlighted the importance of the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions (ORR and OER). These processes are crucial for the efficiency of devices such as fuel cells.....»»
Discovery shows how cells defend themselves during stressful situations
A recent study by an international research team has unveiled an exciting discovery about how our cells defend themselves during stressful situations. The research, published in EMBO Reports, shows that a tiny modification in the genetic material, ca.....»»
Fluorescent protein outshines the competition when imaging cells
Delicate cellular structures and dynamic processes within cells that were hitherto unseen could be revealed by the next generation of a green fluorescent protein developed by chemists at RIKEN......»»
An alternate arrangement: How a propeller-shaped isomer can improve organic solar cells
Imagine technology as a race car speeding down a track—it can only go as fast as its engine allows. But just when it seemed like organic solar cells hit a roadblock, along comes 3PNIN, a game-changing molecule shaped like a propeller, ready to turb.....»»
Enhancing electrogenerated chemiluminescence of an iridium complex
Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) cells, characterized by their self-emissive nature, have gathered significant interest for prospective display applications due to their uncomplicated structure and straightforward fabrication process. These c.....»»
Researchers develop new nanoparticle to deliver drugs to immune system cells
Vanderbilt researchers have developed a new nanoparticle that can more get drugs inside cells to boost the immune system and fight diseases such as cancer......»»
Researchers discover cause of initial spike in immune response when pathogens attack plants
When pathogens attack plants, the plant cells almost immediately react. The plant's cells begin to produce different kinds of small molecules called secondary messengers. These messengers travel throughout the cell membrane to begin the process of ac.....»»
Lab-spun sponges form perfect scaffolds for growing skin cells to heal wounds
A new technique for electrospinning sponges has allowed scientists from the University of Surrey to directly produce 3D scaffolds—on which skin grafts could be grown from the patient's own skin......»»
Chemical labeling method provides new approach for recording cellular activities
In living cells, a vast number of transient events occur simultaneously, each of them important for a given cell in carrying out its function. The faithful recording of these transient activities is a prerequisite for a molecular understanding of lif.....»»
Researchers produce 3D model of the ribosome and visualize how it is made
Human cells contain ribosomes, a complex machine that produces proteins for the rest of the body. Now the researchers have come closer to understanding how the ribosome works......»»
A fruit fly"s wing offers clues into how wounds heal
How long it takes for cells to close a fruit fly's wound can tell us a lot about the healing process in the early developmental stages of humans, and potentially treatments that prevent long-term damage......»»
Researchers reveal how cells regenerate protein factories at the endoplasmic reticulum
The synthesis of proteins in the cell is a key process of life. By this means, the genetic code of the genome is translated into the amino acid sequence of proteins. The process is complex—and has been studied in detail for decades......»»
Uncovering how HIV assembles its lipid coat, which allows it to enter cells
New insights into how the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) curates and assembles its lipid envelope have been gleaned by RIKEN biologists. These findings into HIV biology could help to inform the search for new treatments. The paper is published in.....»»
Stem cells "migrate" to repair damaged lung cells, study shows
A new Yale-led study has found that stem cells migrate to help repair damaged lung cells caused by injuries such as viral or bacterial infections......»»
Damage to cell membranes causes cell aging, finds new study
Our cells are surrounded by a fragile membrane that's only 5 nanometers thick, 1/20 of a soap bubble. Cells are easily damaged by physiological activities, including muscle contraction and tissue injury. To cope with such damage, cells are equipped w.....»»
Seaports found to be hotspots of contagious cancer in mussels
Seaports act as hubs for the global spread of MtrBTN2, a rare contagious cancer affecting mussels. In this disease, cancer cells can be transmitted, like parasites, from one mussel to another nearby......»»
Spinning, magnetic micro-robots help researchers probe immune cell recognition
Researchers at the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Chicago have engineered tiny, spinning micro-robots that bind to immune cells to probe their function. The robot, or "hexapod," gives sci.....»»