All articles tagged with #cell biology
Researchers reveal a process called mitochondrial pearling, where mitochondria transiently form bead-like constrictions to split and redistribute mitochondrial DNA nucleoids along their length, maintaining even spacing. This calcium-triggered, membrane-supported mechanism helps preserve mtDNA organization and could shed light on metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases, with findings published in Science.
A growing body of research shows the thymus—an immune organ behind the breastbone—plays a central role in immune development, aging, and cancer risk, prompting efforts to rejuvenate thymic function to promote longevity and disease prevention.
Researchers built a three‑dimensional computer model that simulates nearly every chemical reaction in a minimal bacterial cell (JCVI‑Syn3a), producing a virtual cell that copies its DNA and divides in about 105 minutes. The full simulation ran for six days on a supercomputer and required simplifying assumptions, but it demonstrated coherent, life‑like cellular processes across the cell cycle.
Researchers studying aging in Caenorhabditis elegans found that aging promotes remodeling of the endoplasmic reticulum via ER-phagy, with rough ER declining while smooth ER changes are modest; this reorganization may affect protein homeostasis and aging, and could point to new drug targets for age-related diseases.
A wave of new studies identifies rare transitional microbes, such as Lokiarchaeum ossiferum, that bridge simple cells and complex eukaryotic cells, offering clues to how cells with nuclei and mitochondria evolved about two billion years ago.
Expansion microscopy uses a diaper-inspired hydrogel to physically swell biological samples, enabling higher-resolution visualization of tiny cellular structures with standard microscopes. By improving dye penetration and preserving overall architecture, it democratizes microscopy and reveals detailed cytoskeletal diversity across species.
Researchers rewired vault proteins to create TimeVaults that capture and store messenger RNA produced by human cells over a 24-hour window, keeping a record for at least a week. The system acts as an unbiased cellular memoir of transcription, activated by a drug cue and reversible, and could shed light on cancer drug resistance and stem-cell biology without noticeably affecting cell behavior.
A scientific review suggests that mitochondria, the energy-producing structures in cells, play a key role in translating psychological stress and loneliness into physical health outcomes, with chronic stress impairing mitochondrial function and contributing to diseases like depression and cardiovascular issues. The review highlights the importance of mitochondrial health in resilience and potential interventions such as exercise to improve cellular and mental well-being.
Scientists discovered that the amino acid leucine enhances cellular energy by protecting mitochondrial proteins from degradation, thereby improving mitochondrial efficiency and energy production, with implications for health and disease treatments.
Chemists at UMass Amherst have developed iConRNA, a publicly available tool that offers an unprecedented view of RNA behavior inside cells, aiding in understanding cellular functions and disease mechanisms related to phase separation of biomolecules.
A study in mice reveals that mitochondria expel damaged or abnormal DNA into the cell environment, which triggers inflammation associated with aging. This process is linked to nucleotide imbalances in mitochondrial DNA, especially in aging cells, and may contribute to inflammageing, offering insights into age-related inflammation mechanisms.
Caltech researchers have discovered that nearly 20% of mitochondrial proteins are imported during their synthesis, guided by folding patterns and structural signals, overturning the traditional model that proteins are imported only after translation is complete.
Cells have a secondary DNA repair mechanism that transports difficult-to-repair damaged DNA to the nuclear periphery, especially in repetitive regions, which could be targeted for cancer therapies by exploiting repair vulnerabilities.
Researchers at UT Southwestern developed a genetic method to remove mitochondria from cells, revealing that cells can survive temporarily without them and uncovering insights into mitochondrial roles in development, gene regulation, and evolution, with potential implications for treating mitochondrial disorders.
Scientists have discovered a new cellular structure called the hemifusome, which plays a key role in sorting and recycling cell contents, potentially impacting our understanding of diseases and cellular health, using advanced imaging techniques like cryoET.