Tag Archives: membrane
Cryo-electron microscopy in drug development
Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) is becoming the method of choice in structure determination of membrane proteins and has great potential for structure-based drug discovery (SBDD). Cryo-EM provides high-resolution structural information of a membrane protein without the need for
Prison break – How fungi escape from a hostile environment inside immune cells
Candida albicans is a commensal yeast of humans and colonizes ≈70% of the human population. It is common for C. albicans to cause self-limiting infections, but severe infections can be life-threatening. Invasive candidiasis occurs in patients with a
Advanced plasmonics: Self-assembly brings order
Nanoporous self-organized membranes are complex, sophisticatedly fabricated, hierarchical nanostructures which combine several unique properties such as very developed surface area and long pores through the whole free-standing or surface-bond films of several micrometers to several hundred micrometres
Pathophysiological advantages derived from simultaneous measurement of diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and nitric oxide (DLNO)
It has been over 100 years since Marie Krogh developed the method to measure the transfer of carbon monoxide (CO) through the alveolar wall. Since then, the single-breath CO diffusing capacity (DLCO) has become the most clinically
Optimal level of membrane cholesterol guarantees the proper functioning of Kv channels
Cholesterol is the most abundant lipid of the mammalian plasma membrane. It is well known that cholesterol influences membrane biophysical properties and regulates the activity of multiple types of ion channels, including K+ channels. The reported mechanisms
Biophysical modulation of lipid model membranes by cobalt and nickel
Cobalt (Co) and Nickel (Ni) are important industrial metals used in the manufacture of a variety of everyday products. Additionally, Co is an essential trace element for humans, involved in the structure and function of vitamin B12.
Aflatoxin B1: a foodborne contaminant which impairs sperm quality and fertilization competence
The gradual decline in fertility of human and farm animals over the past few decades coincides with intensive industrial and agricultural development. Multiple environmental factors affect sperm function and fertility, among them are aflatoxins, poisonous byproducts of
A novel estimation method for diffusion in biological membranes
Random walk of lipids and other molecules present in biological membranes is of great relevance in biology and medicine. The distance travelled by walking molecule depends on the geometrical characteristics of the trajectory. At the beginning of
Overproduction of membrane-integral undecaprenyl pyrophosphate phosphatase from Vibrio vulnificus
In the cytoplasm, undecaprenyl pyrophosphate (C55-PP) is synthesized by undecaprenyl pyrophosphate synthase (UppS) through consecutive condensation reactions of eight molecules of isopentenyl pyrophosphate (Ipp) with farnesyl pyrophosphate (Fpp). The product C55-PP is then dephosphorylated to monophosphate undecaprenyl phosphate
Diving into cell membranes with advanced solid-state NMR methods: harnessing the power of protons
Membrane proteins act as the gateways of the cell. They are essential for the signalling between cells and for the uptake of nutrients; they constitute major drug-targets in human, and their malfunctions are related to severe diseases
Thermo-acoustofluidics: composition-based separation of vesicles
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are membrane-enclosed entities actively released from cells into almost all types of bodily fluids such as blood and urine. Exosomes, i.e. small EVs with 40-100 nm in diameter, are particularly important since they serve
Specific epidermal layers engineered by using polymeric membranes
Advances in tissue engineering led to the realization of human bioengineered skin substitutes for in vivo skin regeneration and in vitro applications. Notably, in vitro skin models are useful tools alternative to animal experimentation for testing the
Fluidizing membranes: a simple way to assist in the formation and size-control of giant polymersomes
In the 2005 article “A Giant Step Towards Artificial Life”, David Deamer outlined twelve requirements for creating an artificial cell or “protocell.” The very first of these steps is to form a membrane enclosure, encapsulating all of
Microbial assisted electrochemical desalination: a green option for water/wastewater treatment
Wastewater discharged from industries can lead to adverse ecological effects. Commonly used conventional technologies for wastewater treatment are efficient in removing organic matter and nutrients (N and P) but less effective to reduce salinity. High salt concentrations
Complications of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty: Avoid, recognize and treat!
Penetrating keratoplasty was the first transplantation performed by humans and is in use since over 100 years to treat diseases of the transparent foremost avascular part of the eye – called CORNEA. The cornea has the function
Upregulation of a protein in the brains of patients with neurodegenerative diseases due to its altered membrane binding
The proteins of the Neuronal Calcium Sensor (NCS) family act as calcium dependent molecular switches in order to maintain the communication between the brain cells. Most of NCS proteins are involved in neurodegenerative diseases resulting from calcium
Channels in artificial membranes
Proteins come in a variety of shapes and sizes but two major classes exist: soluble proteins and those reside in membranes. 20-30% of all the proteins found in cells are membrane proteins. Many membrane proteins such as
A new water-filled channel that transports metabolites of peroxisomes
Peroxisomes are the detoxifier of almost all nucleated cells. Their name was given in respect to their capability of eliminating reactive oxygen species like hydrogen peroxide. As round-shaped membrane enclosed vesicles, they can have variable sizes from
Amniotic membranes in ophthalmology
The amniotic membrane (AM) is the inner layer of the fetal membranes and is comprised of 3 distinct layers; epithelium, basement membrane and stroma, the innermost layer that further consists of an inner compact layer, middle fibroblast
Lipids are major players in Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting over 36 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s patients suffer from dementia and memory loss and go through a progressive, irreversible and eventually fatal loss of cognitive functions. When Alois
