Proteins let cells remember how well their last division went
Scientists find a "mitotic stopwatch" that lets individual cells remember something. Enlarge (credit: Martin Barraud) When we talk about memories in biology, we tend to focus on the brain and the storage of information i.....»»
Bio-inspired droplet-based systems herald a new era in biocompatible devices
Oxford University researchers have made a significant step toward realizing a form of "biological electricity" that could be used in a variety of bioengineering and biomedical applications, including communication with living human cells. The work wa.....»»
A matter of time: New research shows how tissue development is temporally organized
When a vertebrate embryo develops, a group of cells self-organizes into the neural tube, eventually becoming the brain and the spinal cord. This involves specific signals, but how these signals are interpreted by developing cells remains unclear. A t.....»»
Cell model identifies important factor in neural development
The Wistar Institute's Alessandro Gardini, Ph.D., and lab have shed new light on how certain biological processes determine the development of neural cells. Their findings on a molecular "bridge" complex demonstrate a new level of detail in the under.....»»
Scientists synthesize unsymmetrical ureas using non-phosgene method
Unsymmetrical ureas can form multiple stable hydrogen bonds with proteins. Since drugs containing urea functional groups display unique biological activities when interacting with their targets, they play an important role in drug development and med.....»»
Scientists successfully use harmless viruses to investigate the nervous system in frogs
Virus. When you hear the word, you probably shudder. But not all viruses are bad or cause disease. Some are even used for therapeutic applications or vaccination. In basic research, they are often employed to infect certain cells, genetically modify.....»»
Maritime pine seeds remember temperature conditions
The seeds of maritime pines remember the temperatures they experienced during early development. This memory persists in young trees for at least two years after germination. The above discovery was made by researchers at INRAE, CEA, FCBA, the Univer.....»»
Better health diagnostics through genetically engineered embedded sentinel cells
Cells can now be genetically programmed to record their histories within their genomes, a development that could revolutionize the study of developmental and disease processes, according to a collaborative work by researchers from multiple institutio.....»»
Exploring life at its simplest: Scientists create a "minimal cell membrane" with just two lipids
Lipids, or fats, are essential to life. They form the membranes around cells, protecting them from the outside. In nature, there is an enormous diversity of lipids, with each organism having its own unique combination. But what are the minimum lipid.....»»
Tweaking non-neural brain cells can cause memories to fade
Neurons and a second cell type called an astrocyte collaborate to hold memories. “If we go back to the early 1900s, this is when the idea was first proposed that memories are ph.....»»
Improved ultrasound technique produces previously unattainable images inside live cells
A ultrasound technique from the University of Nottingham will allow the production of sharper images inside live cells without causing damage at resolutions that were previously unattainable......»»
Nano-patterned copper oxide sensor provides rapid ultra-low hydrogen detection
Hydrogen is becoming an increasingly popular choice as we shift towards cleaner energy. It can be burned like traditional fuels, producing only water as a byproduct, and can generate electricity when used in fuel cells. However, as hydrogen productio.....»»
A legendary musician wrote a bonkers Gladiator II movie that was never made
With Gladiator II now in theaters, let's fondly remember the bonkers version musician Nick Cave wrote back in the early 2000s......»»
AI tool can engineer "better, faster, stronger" proteins
Nature is adept at designing proteins. Scientists are even better. But artificial intelligence holds the promise of improving proteins many times over. Medical applications for such "designer proteins" range from creating more precise antibodies for.....»»
Origin of life research finds RNA can favor both left- and right-handed proteins
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a discovery that RNA—a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for life before DNA emerged—can favor making the building blocks of proteins.....»»
Transparent worms with glowing proteins may help fertility treatments
The development of maternal egg cells is pivotal for survival—but also precarious. During meiosis, the DNA-containing chromosomes can easily be broken or lost, causing infertility, miscarriage or genetic disorders like Down syndrome. Scientists hav.....»»
New structure gives insight into mRNA export and cancers, and how viruses hijack the process to infect their host
The central dogma of biology defines the flow of genetic information: It describes how proteins are made from mRNA templates, which are in turn made from DNA. Exporting the mRNA from inside the nucleus to the site of protein translation in the cytopl.....»»
Spatial interactomics tool maps protein interactions to fight lung cancer
As Ahmet F. Coskun and his team of researchers continue their mission to create a 3D atlas of the human body, mapping cells and tissues, they're making discoveries that could lead to better treatments for the most common type of lung cancer......»»
DNA repair by cooperation between proteins: A look inside the cell"s repair hub
New research from the Kind Group at the Hubrecht Institute sheds light on how cells repair damaged DNA. For the first time, the team has mapped the activity of repair proteins in individual human cells......»»
Cracking the recipe for perfect plant-based eggs
Hint: It involves finding exactly the right proteins. An egg is an amazing thing, culinarily speaking: delicious, nutritious, and versatile. Americans eat nearly 100 billion of th.....»»
Researchers discover the essential role of light in the organization of retinal cells
New work from the laboratory of Michel Cayouette, Director of the Cellular Neurobiology Research Unit at the Montreal Clinical Research Institute (IRCM) and Professor in the Faculty of Medicine at the Université de Montréal, reveals for the first t.....»»