Latest news with #biophysics
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Whoa—Scientists Found a Part of Human Cells We Never Knew Existed
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: Hemifusomes are fused vesicles, or sacs of fluid, that were previously unknown to exist inside cells. They were discovered using cryo-electron tomography, which literally freezes them in time, and confirmed to be actual organelles and not just background noise. Because hemifusomes collect and recycle junk proteins, they could mean more effective treatments for diseases caused and aggravated by protein plaque buildup, such as Alzheimer's. Back in high school biology, most of us learned about the innards of a cell, or its organelles, from ribosomes to mitochondria to the endoplasmic reticulum, and probably had to identify them on our midterms. Now, an unexpected discovery will probably soon rewrite those textbooks. The hemifusome is the new organelle that high school students (much to their chagrin) will have to remember. Biophysicist Seham Ebrahim of the University of Virginia and her team of researchers were observing mammalian cells when they discovered hemifusomes, which previously eluded detection because they are even smaller than mitochondria and can easily blur or be mistaken for background noise. These nano-orbs, which look like they have, noses bear an uncanny resemblance to BB-8 or the profiles of certain Muppets. Pop culture references aside, their function of organizing, cleaning up, and recycling proteins could potentially unlock new treatments for genetic and neurodegenerative diseases. Hemifusomes consist of two vesicles, which are membrane sacs filled with liquid and formed by hemifusion, meaning that the smaller of the two is fused to the larger one like a hemisphere, almost as if its other half is missing. This occurs when the outer layers of two membranes merge first while the inner membrane layers stay open until a thin connection between them forms a new vesicle. The attached vesicles are sometimes found on the outside of the organelle and sometimes on the inside, and though where exactly these vesicles originate is still unknown, hemifusomes are thought to facilitate the formation of new vesicles that transport materials throughout the cell. This is probably how they take out cellular trash. Ebrahim used cryo-electron tomography, or cryo-ET, to observe and image hemifusomes. The cells, which were kept at cryogenic temperatures, were imaged in two dimensions using an electron microscope. Superfast cameras then took multiple photos of the frozen cells and their organelles. From these photos, single images were created using algorithms, upgrading the 2D images to 3D. 'Our observation of hemifusomes in four different cell lines originating from various species and tissues and frozen as close as possible to their native state suggests that they may be common components of the cell periphery in a wide range of cells and tissues,' she said in a study recently published in Nature Communications. Something else the researchers wanted to explore was what kind of relationship hemifusomes had with endosomes, which are vesicles that transport extracellular material into the cell via the process of endocytosis. The cell's plasma membrane will fold inward to surround matter, such as food molecules, in the surrounding fluid. These molecules are then taken in by the cell, whose plasma membrane pinches off to create an endosome that carries them into the cytoplasm. Endosomes can also form through the fusion of vesicles that already exist within the cell. Ebrahim traced the activity of endosomes and hemifusomes, but they did not appear to work together. What makes hemifusomes so important is how they collect and recycle junk proteins. Many studies have shown that the buildup of protein plaque in the brain can cause and aggravate neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's, and more understanding about how these organelles operate could lead to the development of treatments that work with them. 'Future research should focus on determining whether hemifusomes and compound hemifusomes are present in other cellular regions,' Ebrahim said, 'and on elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying their formation, stability, and function, as well as their broader implications for cellular physiology and pathology.' You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
South China Morning Post
06-07-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Chinese researchers find genetics shapes brain's critical balance linked to mental ability
Chinese researchers have discovered that genetics influences the brain's ability to maintain the crucial balance between activation and control, a key element of cognitive function. There is extensive evidence that brain criticality – the balance between neural excitation and inhibition – enhances its information processing capabilities. But despite the significance of brain criticality and its potential influence on neurological and psychiatric disorders , the genetic basis of this state had been 'largely unexplored', according to researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' biophysics and automation institutes. 'We demonstrate that genetic factors significantly influence brain criticality across various scales, from specific brain regions to large-scale networks,' the team said in their paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences last month. They also established a link between criticality and cognitive functions, suggesting a shared genetic foundation. 'These findings position brain criticality as a biological phenotype, opening broad avenues for exploring its implications in brain function and potential dysfunctions,' the team wrote.
Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
BioAnalysis LLC Recognized as One of the 50 Most Community-Minded Employers in the Greater Philadelphia Region
BioAnalysis recognized among Greater Philadelphia's most community-minded companies for combining world-class gene therapy analytics with local impact in 2025 'This honor reinforces our founding vision: community impact and scientific excellence strengthening each other.'— Lake Paul, Phd | CEO and Founder of BioAnalysis PHILADELPHIA, PA, UNITED STATES, June 30, 2025 / / -- BioAnalysis LLC has been named a 2025 honoree of the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia by the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia (the Chamber), in partnership with globally recognized nonprofit Points of Light, lead partner the Philadelphia Foundation, and other local partners. Modeled after Points of Light's national program, the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia measures and recognizes civic-minded companies using their time, talent, and resources to drive social impact within their organizations and communities – setting the standard for civic engagement in the region. 'Receiving this recognition reinforces why we founded BioAnalysis with a different vision for what a collaborative research organization could be – one guided by our belief that community impact and scientific excellence strengthen each other,' said Lake Paul, CEO and Founder of BioAnalysis LLC. 'In Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood, we've proven that world-class biophysical and mass spectrometry expertise can thrive alongside deep community roots. When our clients choose BioAnalysis for their gene therapy analytics, they're partnering with a team that measures success not only in validated methods and regulatory approvals, but in careers launched and communities strengthened.' The 2025 Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia honorees represent private and public companies, as well as nonprofits, agencies, and institutions (e.g., hospitals and universities) of more than 10 employees operating in the 11-county Greater Philadelphia region. They have been selected based on four dimensions of their community engagement program: • Investment of resources; • Integration across business functions; • Institutionalization through policies and systems; and • Impact measurement. Since 2011, the national Civic 50 has provided a national standard for superior corporate citizenship and has showcased how companies drive social impact in their business and within the community. 'The Chamber is proud to recognize BioAnalysis LLC as a 2025 honoree of the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia,' said Chellie Cameron, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chamber. 'Each of this year's honorees are valued members of Greater Philadelphia's business community, exemplifying what it means to be a positive corporate citizen and demonstrating the power of service. We thank BioAnalysis LLC for their efforts to drive impact and congratulate them on this tremendous achievement.' In keeping with the Chamber's efforts to drive regional impact and achieve its vision, it also serves as home to the Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Network (GPCVN), a community of diverse businesses committed to giving back to their communities. The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia honorees were officially recognized on Thursday, June 26, 2025, at an Honoree Reveal Celebration hosted at the Cira Centre. The Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia Self-Assessment is administered by True Impact, a company specializing in helping organizations maximize and measure their social and business value, and consists of quantitative and multiple-choice questions that inform the scoring process. To learn more about the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia and its honorees, please visit ### About BioAnalysis LLC BioAnalysis, based in Philadelphia's Kensington neighborhood, is a collaborative research organization providing analytical services for gene therapy and biotherapeutics development. Founded in 2019, the company combines scientific excellence with community impact, serving clients worldwide while actively creating opportunities in the life sciences industry for local community members. Specializing in biophysics, chromatography and mass spectrometry applications for gene therapy and biotherapeutics, BioAnalysis offers deep expertise in method development, cGMP validation and testing. The company is guided by five core pillars: Scientific Excellence, Client Partnership, Rapid Delivery, Value Always and Community Impact. For more information, visit About the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia: The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia works together with members, investors, and stakeholders, to realize our bold vision: Greater Philadelphia is a top global destination for business and a leader in inclusive growth. As the metro-regional chamber of commerce serving the 11-county, tri-state Greater Philadelphia region, we are the premier organization to convene and connect business, government, and civic leaders to drive economic growth and prosperity for all. Learn more at About Points of Light: Points of Light is a nonpartisan, global nonprofit organization that inspires, equips, and mobilizes millions of people to create positive change through volunteering and civic engagement. Through work with nonprofits, companies and social impact leaders, the organization galvanizes volunteers to meet critical needs in communities. As the world's largest organization dedicated to increasing volunteer service, Points of Light engages more than 3.8 million volunteers across 32 countries. For more information, visit Partners for Greater Philadelphia Civic 50: Regional partners with the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia on the Civic 50 Greater Philadelphia are the Philadelphia Foundation (lead partner), Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Network, Philanthropy Network, and True Impact (National Partner). Craig Schrolucke Inspiration Foundry +1 937-254-7583 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
South China Morning Post
14-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
What next for He Jiankui, the human gene editor locked in limbo?
He Jiankui looked a little tired and worn as he contemplated his future. With no home and no institution to host his research, the 41-year-old biophysicist and self-proclaimed 'pioneer of gene editing ' was weighing up what to do next while staying at an upmarket hotel in Beijing late last month. He, who caused a global uproar in 2018 with his announcement of the world's first gene-edited babies, planned to move to the United States to continue his research into gene-editing embryos to combat diseases such as Alzheimer's and cancer. 'My new lab in Austin, Texas is being prepared and I'll be settling down there,' he said. But with his wife barred from entering China and He banned from leaving it, those plans were in disarray. Nevertheless, the scientist was unbowed and determined to continue the work he had started.
Geek Wire
12-06-2025
- Science
- Geek Wire
Seattle's Allen Institute launches ‘moonshot' to create new approach to cell biology research
A cross-section image of cells forming a hollow sphere, called a lumenoid. The colors mark different proteins expressed by the cells inside and outside of the sphere. (Allen Institute Image) Human cells, like the people they create, are dynamic and complex. And while researchers can create images and videos of how they move, organize and change their properties, it's hard to efficiently and accurately describe all that's happening. So a 75-person team at Seattle nonprofit Allen Institute is embarking on a 10-year project called CellScapes to devise a new language using mathematics to capture these essential processes. 'This is a new way of approaching very fundamental cell biology,' Ru Gunawardane, executive director and vice president of the Allen Institute for Cell Science, told GeekWire. 'We want to combine math and biophysical modeling, which are things that people are doing right now, but in a siloed way in very different systems.' Ru Gunawardane, executive director and vice president of the Allen Institute for Cell Science. (Allen Institute Photo) The Allen Institute was founded more than 20 years ago by the late Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen and his sister Jody Allen to dive into challenging problems in the biosciences. Previous efforts at multiple institutions have created numerical systems for understanding biological processes. That includes BayesSpace, a computational tool that produces data on gene expression in mixed cell types that developed researchers at the Fred Hutch Cancer Center. The Allen Institute has engineered modeling for organelles, which are the various machines packed inside cells that make proteins, produce energy and perform other key operations. 'The exciting thing is that we are trying … to bring different disciplines together,' Gunawardane said, 'because data is everywhere — but how do you make sense out of that data?' The CellScapes researchers are working with human stem cells, which are cells that don't yet have a set identity as, say, a skin or liver cell. The hope is through analysis and experimentation they'll devise mathematics that describe the cell's behavior, ultimately allowing them to predict and manipulate what the cells do. A primary goal would be to use these tools to unravel mysteries such as the intermediate steps to developing cancer, and ultimately discover new cell therapies. 'It's a lot like astronomy and going from 'which planet is that dot in the sky' to 'what are the laws of motion that describe all moving objects?'' said Wallace Marshall, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at the University of California, San Francisco, and a CellScapes advisor, in a statement. The Allen Institute seen from Dexter Yard. (GeekWire File Photo / Charlotte Schubert) The Allen Institute will make its data and innovations in the space publicly available, Gunawardane said, and expects to collaborate with researchers at outside institutions. The research team includes software engineers, computational biologists, program managers and others. There is no set budget for the decade-long effort, and the CellScapes team is simultaneously pursuing three projects that are part of the broader initiative. The effort already has a scientific paper accepted by the journal Nature that will be published in coming months. It's an exciting time, Gunawardane said. 'I also feel a huge responsibility,' she said, 'because Paul [Allen] is not alive anymore, but our work is his legacy, and he asked us to break the code of the cell. And in a way, the code is very complicated — it's more like a program, the cellular program. 'So I feel like we are now actually at the brink,' she said, 'of knowing maybe how to approach that.'
