Cell Biology

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MIT Scientists Use Light to Control Cell Movement in Starfish

Life takes shape with the motion of a single cell. In response to signals from certain proteins and enzymes, a cell can start to move and shake, leading to contractions that cause it to squeeze, pinch, and eventually divide.

25 Mar 2025

Researchers Create Yeast Consortium for Efficient Lignan Biosynthesis

Lignans are low molecular weight polyphenolic compounds with important antitumor and antiviral properties.

25 Mar 2025

EMBL Scientists Observe DNA Looping Process in High Resolution

Among the many marvels of life is the cell's ability to divide and thus enable organisms to grow and renew themselves.

25 Mar 2025

Researchers Capture Breakthrough Images of Cellulose Synthesis in Living Plant Cells

In a groundbreaking study on the synthesis of cellulose – a major constituent of all plant cell walls – a team of Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has captured images of the microscopic process of cell-wall building continuously over 24 hours with living plant cells, providing critical insights that may lead to the development of more robust plants for increased food and lower-cost biofuels production.

24 Mar 2025

Immune System Peacekeepers Key to Preventing Autoimmunity During Infection

During infections, the immune system needs to distinguish foreign antigens that are expressed by invading bacteria and viruses from self-antigens that are expressed by cells of the body.

24 Mar 2025

Dendritic Spine Clusters Physically Link Memories Formed Close in Time

According to a recent study, the reason why memories from the same day seem connected while events from weeks apart feel separate is as follows: Human brains use dendrites, which are spiny extensions of neurons, rather than the cell bodies to physically connect memories that happen in close succession.

24 Mar 2025

Researchers Unveil the Architecture of Mitochondria at Unprecedented Resolution

Mitochondria are the powerhouses in our cells, producing the energy for all vital processes. Using cryo-electron tomography, researchers at the University of Basel, Switzerland, have now gained insight into the architecture of mitochondria at unprecedented resolution.

22 Mar 2025

Programmable Embryoids Provide Insight into Early Development

The earliest days after fertilization, once a sperm cell meets an egg, are shrouded in scientific mystery.

22 Mar 2025

Gamma-Actin's Influence on Cell Rigidity and Junctional Proteins

Epithelial cells defend human skin and mucous membranes. Specialized structures known as “junctions” enable this “barrier” tissue to carry out its role. They control interactions between cells and maintain cell cohesion.

21 Mar 2025

Research Unveils Mechanism Behind Evolution of Organelles from Bacteria

Organelles in cells were originally often independent cells, which were incorporated by host cells and lost their independence in the course of evolution.

20 Mar 2025

Lobate Shape of Lymphatic Cells Provides Stability Against Fluid Shifts

The cells that make up the walls of the finest of all lymphatic vessels have a lobate, oak leaf-like shape that makes them particularly resilient to changes in fluid volume.

20 Mar 2025

Pregnancy Triggers Small Intestine Growth in Mice

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have found that the small intestine grows in response to pregnancy in mice. This partially irreversible change may help mice support a pregnancy and prepare for a second.

20 Mar 2025

New Insights into How B Cells Strategically Clone High-Affinity Antibodies

A vaccine's ability to generate long-lasting, high-affinity antibodies hinges on a delicate balance. Upon exposure to a vaccine or pathogen, B cells scramble to refine their defenses, rapidly mutating in hopes of generating the most effective antibodies.

20 Mar 2025

Scientists Reveal Brain Activity Dynamics During Male Sexual Behavior

To uncover what drives sexual behavior in animals, researchers studied the brain activity of male mice throughout the series of actions involved in sex leading up to ejaculation.

20 Mar 2025

Bioengineering a Luminous Biosensor for Aberrant DNA Detection

Cells contain a DNA sensor called cGAS, which alerts the immune system to viral and bacterial infections, cell death, and cancer-related transformations.

20 Mar 2025

Advanced Imaging Deciphers B Cell Dynamics in Lymph Nodes

Germinal centers are machines of rapid evolution. Germinal centers are tiny clusters in the lymph nodes that refine antibodies through proliferation and mutation to create high-affinity B cells that are suited to control various infections.

20 Mar 2025

Early Embryo Development May Be the Foundation for Lifelong Health

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have found that the initial stages of embryo development significantly influence an individual's future health and aging.

19 Mar 2025

AI Revolutionizes Cell Analysis for Personalized Cancer Treatment

A groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI)-driven neural network has been developed to swiftly analyze and interpret millions of cells from patient samples, enabling predictions of molecular alterations within tissues.

19 Mar 2025

Mechanical Forces Determine the Winners in Cell Competition

Trial of strength at the cellular level: cells are in constant competition with each other and so eliminate diseased or unwanted cells.

18 Mar 2025

Calcium-Mediated Electrical Communication in Epithelial Cells

For a long time, it was believed that only nerve and heart cells utilized electrical impulses for communication, while epithelial cells which form the linings of human skin, organs, and body cavities were considered silent, primarily acting as protective barriers that absorb and secrete various substances.

18 Mar 2025