Living Cells News and Research

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New method to visualize small-molecule interactions inside cells

Like people in a large company, proteins in cells constantly interact with each other to perform various jobs. To develop new disease therapies, researchers are trying to control these interactions with small-molecule drugs that cause specific proteins to associate more or less with their "coworkers."

13 Dec 2018

Advanced illumination expands capabilities of light-sheet microscopy

Bruker announces the launch of the Luxendo InVi SPIM AIM next-generation lattice light-sheet microscope, with an advanced illumination module (AIM).

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 11 Dec 2018

Researchers report novel findings on plant hormone

Jasmonic acid is not just the aromatic odor of the plant Jasminum grandiflorum used in cosmetics and perfume industries. Plants wounded by e.g. chewing herbivores produce jasmonic acid as a defense signal, as a phytohormone to mount their defense responses - this includes for example the formation of toxic substances.

10 Dec 2018

Failure of critical cellular energy sensor responsible for CKD progression, study finds

Chronic kidney disease, an affliction characterized by progressive loss of kidney function, affects millions of people worldwide and is associated with multi-organ damage, cardiovascular disease, and muscle wasting.

7 Dec 2018

New study supports use of ZnO nanoparticles in sunscreens

Zinc oxide has long been recognized as an effective sunscreen agent. However, there have been calls for sunscreens containing ZnO nanoparticles to be banned because of potential toxicity and the need for caution in the absence of safety data in humans.

4 Dec 2018

Scientists develop nanoscale tweezers that can move freely within cells

Researchers have developed nanoscale “tweezers” that can extract cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and organelles, without causing damage or bursting the cell.

3 Dec 2018

Light-activated tools allow scientists to accurately probe intracellular phase separation

Creating new tools that harness light to probe the mysteries of cellular behavior, Princeton researchers have made discoveries about the formation of cellular components called membraneless organelles and the key role these organelles play in cells.

30 Nov 2018

Tomocube releases first of it's kind, 3D fluorescent holotomography microscope

The HT-2 from Tomocube is the world’s first microscope to combine both holotomography and 3D fluorescence imaging into one unit.

From Tomocube Inc. 28 Nov 2018

Discovery about DNA twists could be crucial in development of new antibiotics

DNA replication is vital to all lifeforms, but in some organisms, it can be prevented by twists in the DNA sequence, called 'supercoils'. If too many supercoils are allowed to build up, cells vital to sustaining life will die.

28 Nov 2018

D-serine produced by gut microbiota protects against acute kidney injury, show study

The kidney is an organ not only for excreting body waste by urine but also for maintaining body homeostasis in close cooperation with other organs.

27 Nov 2018

Researchers provide new insights into regulation of important intracellular messenger molecule

The team of prof. Joris Messens at the VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology has provided new insights into the regulation of an important intracellular messenger molecule, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), whose dysregulation has been linked to the development of several diseases, including cancer.

22 Nov 2018

Scientists develop method to make radio-controlled enzymes

Scientists developed a method to enhance the activity of enzymes by using radio frequency radiation. The method requires making a special complex consisting of enzymes and magnetic nanoparticles.

22 Nov 2018

'Unknown' enzyme may be key to new treatment for inflammatory diseases

An enzyme that normally repairs damaged DNA, may be the key to a new treatment for inflammatory diseases.

20 Nov 2018

Breakthrough technology offers new hope to people with glaucoma, retinitis and macular degeneration

In January 2009, the life of engineer Michel Meunier, a professor at Polytechnique Montréal, changed dramatically. Like others, he had observed that the extremely short pulse of a femtosecond laser (0.000000000000001 second) could make nanometer-sized holes appear in silicon when it was covered by gold nanoparticles.

20 Nov 2018

Automating Data Capture and Image Analysis in Continuous Experiments

An interview with Lindy O’Clair, discussing the challenges of studying neuronal systems over time, and the development of an automated platform by Sartorius.

From Sartorius 19 Nov 2018

Scientists try to develop portable systems that can quickly produce biologics on demand

Many life-saving medicines, including insulin, antibodies and vaccines, are derived from living cells. These "biologics" can be difficult to obtain and store on the battlefield or in remote areas.

15 Nov 2018

Researchers succeed in building protein nanotubes from tiny scaffolds

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have succeeded in constructing protein nanotubes from tiny scaffolds made by cross-linking of engineered protein crystals.

14 Nov 2018

Researchers develop technique to disrupt communication between microorganisms

The World Health Organization considers Pseudomonas aeruginosa a germ requiring urgent action to prevent and control its spread. The bacteria can cause a variety of diseases from chronic lung infections to sepsis.

8 Nov 2018

New study upends conventional theories about fluid nature of cell membranes

If you want to understand how the cell membrane works, Adam Cohen says, look no further than your kitchen. Cohen, a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and of Physics, is the lead author of a new study that upends the conventional theories about the fluid nature of cell membranes and how they react to tension.

2 Nov 2018

New tool may shed light on how to grow replacement tissues and organs for implants

From "Fantastic Voyage" to "Despicable Me," shrink rays have been a science-fiction staple on screen. Now chemists at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a real shrink ray that can change the size and shape of a block of gel-like material while human or bacterial cells grow on it.

24 Oct 2018