Membrane News and Research

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First synthetic membranes made without solvents on silicon surfaces

Artificial membranes mimicking those found in living organisms have many potential applications ranging from detecting bacterial contaminants in food to toxic pollution in the environment to dangerous diseases in people.

10 Sep 2014

Internal water channels can pave way for novel approaches in drug development

G protein-coupled receptors are the largest class of cell surface receptors in our cells, involved in signal transmission across the cell membrane.

9 Sep 2014

NanoTracker™ Optical Tweezers system used at Leiden University to study the organisation of genomic DNA

JPK Instruments, a world-leading manufacturer of nanoanalytic instrumentation for research in life sciences and soft matter, reports on the use of the NanoTracker™ Optical Tweezers system in the Laboratory of Molecular Genetics in the Leiden Institute of Chemistry at Leiden University.

9 Sep 2014

New immuno-oncology drug helps body's own immune system to fend off cancer

According to an August 25 Reuters report, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is likely to approve Merck & Co.'s highly anticipated immuno-oncology drug, pembrolizumab, as a treatment for melanoma well ahead of a late October deadline.

8 Sep 2014

Researchers measure stiffness of membrane surrounding red blood cells over time

It may look like fresh blood and flow like fresh blood, but the longer blood is stored, the less it can carry oxygen into the tiny microcapillaries of the body, says a new study from University of Illinois researchers.

8 Sep 2014

Study investigates whether function of intestines attacked in MS

The present study investigates whether the function of the intestines is also attacked in MS. The results, obtained from a disease model of MS in mice, shows inflammation and changes in the barrier function of the intestines early in the course of the disease.

4 Sep 2014

Artificial cells to devour undesirables: an interview with Dr. Takanari Inoue

If junk is not removed, pathological conditions can develop. For example, in one condition, the neutrophil count significantly decreases. Neutrophils remove pathogens and people with a reduced neutrophil count are more prone to infection, especially to rare bacteria that wouldn’t cause infection under normal conditions.

3 Sep 2014

New vaccine in bid to move away from needles and syringes to skin delivery procedures

Drug delivery technologies that improve access and overall efficacy are becoming an essential part of the entire drug development process.

2 Sep 2014

CHLA ECMO program honored with prestigious Award for Excellence in Life Support

The Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation program at Children's Hospital Los Angeles has been honored for the third time with the prestigious Award for Excellence in Life Support by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization, an international group of health care professionals and scientists who evaluate hospital treatment therapies for patients fighting complex cardiac disease and respiratory failure.

29 Aug 2014

Ruthigen gets DMC recommendation to begin RUT58-60 Phase 1/2 clinical trial

Ruthigen Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patient outcomes and reducing healthcare costs in invasive procedures, has announced that its lead drug candidate, RUT58-60, has received a recommendation from the Data Monitoring Committee to begin enrolling patients in the Company's planned Phase 1/2 clinical trial.

26 Aug 2014

Researchers find roving detection system for treating cancer, Parkinson's disease and ALS

Duke University researchers have found a "roving detection system" on the surface of cells that may point to new ways of treating diseases like cancer, Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

26 Aug 2014

TIM-family proteins also have ability to block release of HIV and other viruses

A family of proteins that promotes virus entry into cells also has the ability to block the release of HIV and other viruses, University of Missouri researchers have found.

26 Aug 2014

Three commonly used NSAIDs affect cell membranes, produce unwanted side effects

Researchers have discovered that three commonly used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, alter the activity of enzymes within cell membranes. Their finding suggests that, if taken at higher-than-approved doses and/or for long periods of time, these prescription-level NSAIDs and other drugs that affect the membrane may produce wide-ranging and unwanted side effects.

22 Aug 2014

Heart-lung support technology increases number of kidneys, livers, pancreases for transplant

Using heart-lung support technology, the University of Michigan's Transplant Center was able to increase the number of kidneys, livers and pancreases available for transplant by about 20 percent.

22 Aug 2014

Live cell imaging solution launched by QImaging

QImaging™ today launched a new, all-in-one camera package that supports demanding live cell fluorescence imaging requirements. The Live Cell Imaging Package provides researchers with the sensitivity of EMCCD and the versatility of sCMOS camera technologies by combining QImaging’s Rolera™ Thunder EMCCD and optiMOS™ sCMOScameras. Now, researchers can address their unique imaging needs for a broader, more diverse set of scientific applications.

21 Aug 2014