living cells

New tool gives researchers glimpse of biomolecules in motion

harminka — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 04:04:06 -0600

The ability of biomolecules to flex and bend is important for the performance of many functions within living cells. However, researchers interested in how biomolecules such as amino acids and proteins function have long had to make inferences from a series of X-ray-like “still pictures” of pure crystalline samples.

Wireless microgrippers grab living cells in biopsy tests

harminka — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 02:04:31 -0600

In experiments that pave the way for tiny mobile surgical tools activated by heat or chemicals, Johns Hopkins researchers have invented dust-particle-size devices that can be used to grab and remove living cells from hard-to-reach places without the need for electrical wires, tubes or batteries.

Scientists unlock secret of death protein's activation

harminka — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:05:23 -0500

Scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute have identified a previously undetected trigger point on a naturally occurring "death protein" that helps the body get rid of unwanted or diseased cells. They say it may be possible to exploit the newly found trigger as a target for designer drugs that would treat cancer by forcing malignant cells to commit suicide.

Scientists unwrap elements of life

harminka — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 13:00:36 -0500

Researchers at Newcastle University have taken a step forward in our understanding of how the fundamental building blocks of life are put together.

Using living cells as nanotechnology factories

harminka — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 12:23:39 -0500

In the tiny realm of nanotechnology, scientists have used a wide variety of materials to build atomic scale structures. But just as in the construction business, nanotechnology researchers can often be limited by the amount of raw materials.

MIT probe may help untangle cells' signaling pathways

harminka — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 01:30:13 -0500

MIT researchers have designed a new type of probe that can image thousands of interactions between proteins inside a living cell, giving them a tool to untangle the web of signaling pathways that control most of a cell's activities.

Supercomputer explores biochemical landscape to find memory switches

harminka — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:39:45 -0500

Switches are a part of daily life, from snoozing your alarm, turning on the coffee maker, firing up your car engine, and so on until we turn off the lights at night. Researchers have now cataloged even more templates of possible switches within a living cell than we use throughout our day.

Artificial vesicles and bacterial cells communicate by way of sugar components

harminka — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 11:12:57 -0500

For an organism to develop and function, the individual cells must exchange information, or communicate, with each other.

Simple model cell is key to understanding cell complexity

harminka — Fri, 16 May 2008 06:12:29 -0500

A team of Penn State researchers has developed a simple artificial cell with which to investigate the organization and function of two of the most basic cell components: the cell membrane and the cytoplasm--the gelatinous fluid that surrounds the structures in living cells.

Nanominerals Influence Earth Systems from Ocean to Atmosphere to Biosphere

harminka — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:44:00 -0500

The ubiquity of tiny particles of minerals-mineral nanoparticles-in oceans and rivers, atmosphere and soils, and in living cells are providing scientists with new ways of understanding Earth's workings. Our planet's physical, chemical, and biological processes are influenced or driven by the properties of these minerals.

Researchers visualize complex pigment mixtures in living cells

harminka — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:00:28 -0600

In a technical advance that could allow researchers to watch cells as they act during the process of photosynthesis, scientists have developed a method that extends the power of fluorescence-mediated bio-imaging to see discrete pigments inside live cells of bacteria.

New protein tag enhances view within living cells

harminka — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 12:26:54 -0600

The view into the inner world of living cells just got a little brighter and more colorful. A powerful new research tool, when used with other labeling technologies, allows simultaneous visualization of two or more different proteins as well as the ability to distinguish young and old copies of a protein within one living cell.