Membrane News and Research

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Protector of single cysteines discovered

We've all read studies about the health benefits of having a life partner. The same thing is true at the molecular level, where amino acids known as cysteines are much more vulnerable to damage when single than when paired up with other cysteines.

21 Nov 2009

University of Michigan scientists discover how SEVI works

Since the discovery in 2007 that a component of human semen called SEVI boosts infectivity of the virus that causes AIDS, researchers have been trying to learn more about SEVI and how it works, in hopes of thwarting its infection-promoting activity.

20 Nov 2009

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Viruses are well known for attacking humans and animals, but some viruses instead attack bacteria. Texas A&M University researchers are exploring how hungry viruses, armed with transformer-like weapons, attack bacteria, which may aid in the treatment of bacterial infections.

19 Nov 2009

Roche Applied Science announces availability of new CIM-Plate 16 for their xCELLigence System

Roche Applied Science announces the availability of the new CIM-Plate 16 for their xCELLigence System for cell analysis, for use in cancer research. The 16-well culture plate features electronic sensors for the direct study of cell migration and invasion on the xCELLigence RTCA DP Instrument.

18 Nov 2009

New encapsulated system may enable doctors to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumors

An encapsulation breakthrough by researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology may enable doctors to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumors over extended periods of time, while preventing the systemic side effects of chemotherapy and other current cancer treatments.

18 Nov 2009

Antioxidant found in vegetables can protect cells from damage caused by infection and injury

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that a dietary antioxidant found in such vegetables as broccoli and cauliflower protects cells from damage caused by chemicals generated during the body's inflammatory response to infection and injury. The finding has implications for such inflammation-based disorders as cystic fibrosis (CF), diabetes, heart disease, and neurodegeneration.

17 Nov 2009

Cytoskeleton plays a critical role to bring chromosome pairs together: Study

Meiosis - the pairing and recombination of chromosomes, followed by segregation of half to each egg or sperm cell - is a major crossroads in all organisms reproducing sexually. Yet, how the cell precisely choreographs these chromosomal interactions is a long-standing question.

16 Nov 2009

Patent number for Microfluidic Valve Mechanism received

Microfluidic Systems, a privately-held company, announced today that they received patent number 7,607,641, entitled "Microfluidic Valve Mechanism". This patent covers a broad set of claims regarding the integration of a diaphragm membrane into a rigid body of a cartridge functioning as both a fluidic seal and cover of the cartridge, and as a valve mechanism for fluidics control within the cartridge.

16 Nov 2009

CSHL solves the structure of the zinc-bound ATD domain of the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit

A team of scientists at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) reports on Thursday their success in solving the molecular structure of a key portion of a cellular receptor implicated in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other serious illnesses.

13 Nov 2009

Scientists describe how HIV assemble at the membrane of infected cells and are released to attack healthy cells

Although recent advances have raised hopes that a protective vaccine can be developed, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) remains a major public health problem. Much has been learned about HIV-1, the virus that causes the disease.

13 Nov 2009

Lipid that accumulates in brain cells drives cell death, says research

The lipid that accumulates in brain cells of individuals with an inherited enzyme disorder also drives the cell death that is a hallmark of the disease, according to new research led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital investigators.

13 Nov 2009

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Got food poisoning? The cause might be bacterial spores, en extremely hardy survival form of bacteria, a nightmare for health care and the food industry and an enigma for scientists. Spore-forming bacteria, present almost everywhere in our environment, can also cause serious infectious diseases, such as tetanus, anthrax, and botulism.

12 Nov 2009

Physicians and researchers to develop kidney replacement device for children

When children need kidney dialysis because of disease or congenital defects, doctors are forced to adapt adult-size dialysis equipment. No FDA-approved kidney replacement devices exist that are specifically designed for children.

12 Nov 2009

FDA-approved DuraSeal spine sealant from Covidien

Covidien, a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced the launch of DuraSeal™ spine sealant, the first product approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for intra-operative sealing of the dural membrane during spine procedures.

11 Nov 2009

Researchers identify new mechanism to create lasting memories; findings may yield potential treatment for memory impairments

Researchers at the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet have discovered a mechanism that controls the brain's ability to create lasting memories. In experiments on genetically manipulated mice, they were able to switch on and off the animals' ability to form lasting memories by adding a substance to their drinking water. The findings, which are published in the scientific journal PNAS, are of potential significance to the future treatment of Alzheimer's and stroke.

11 Nov 2009

Researchers identify cause that leads to age-related hearing loss

Age-related hearing loss is the most common sensory disorder among the elderly. But scientists are still trying to figure out what cellular processes govern or contribute to the loss.

11 Nov 2009

Baxter International lauds new Medicare education benefit for chronic kidney disease patients

Baxter International Inc. commends the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on announcing implementation plans for a new Medicare benefit that will provide Stage 4 chronic kidney disease patients with coverage for up to six sessions explaining their treatment options, such as transplantation, home peritoneal dialysis (PD), home hemodialysis (HHD) or clinic-based hemodialysis (HD).

From Baxter International Inc. 10 Nov 2009

Study on how robust antibodies work to block the HIV virus raise hope for new vaccine

A very close and detailed study of how the most robust antibodies work to block the HIV virus as it seeks entry into healthy cells has revealed a new direction for researchers hoping to design an effective vaccine.

10 Nov 2009

New micronail chip to enable electronics and biological cells communicate with each other

IMEC presents a unique microchip with microscopic nail structures that enable close communication between the electronics and biological cells. The new chip is a mass-producible, easy-to-use tool in electrophysiology research, for example for fundamental research on the functioning and dysfunctioning of the brain. Each micronail structure serves as a close contact-point for one cell, and contains an electrode that can very accurately record and trigger in real-time the electrical activity of an individual electrogenic cell in a network.

9 Nov 2009

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital celebrates 25th anniversary of pediatric heart transplantation

NewYork-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital is celebrating the 25th anniversary of pediatric heart transplantation. In 1984, the Hospital's surgeons performed the world's first successful heart transplant, giving the gift of life to a 4-year-old boy.

7 Nov 2009

Membrane News and Research

Protector of single cysteines discovered

University of Michigan scientists discover how SEVI works

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Roche Applied Science announces availability of new CIM-Plate 16 for their xCELLigence System

New encapsulated system may enable doctors to deliver anti-cancer drugs directly to tumors

Antioxidant found in vegetables can protect cells from damage caused by infection and injury

Cytoskeleton plays a critical role to bring chromosome pairs together: Study

Patent number for Microfluidic Valve Mechanism received

CSHL solves the structure of the zinc-bound ATD domain of the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit

Scientists describe how HIV assemble at the membrane of infected cells and are released to attack healthy cells

Lipid that accumulates in brain cells drives cell death, says research

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Physicians and researchers to develop kidney replacement device for children

FDA-approved DuraSeal spine sealant from Covidien

Researchers identify new mechanism to create lasting memories; findings may yield potential treatment for memory impairments

Researchers identify cause that leads to age-related hearing loss

Baxter International lauds new Medicare education benefit for chronic kidney disease patients

Study on how robust antibodies work to block the HIV virus raise hope for new vaccine

New micronail chip to enable electronics and biological cells communicate with each other

NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital celebrates 25th anniversary of pediatric heart transplantation

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