Guest_Jim_* Posted May 13, 2015 Posted May 13, 2015 Despite it surrounding us and being within us, recreating Nature can be very difficult. For a long time there was no way to simulate cell membranes, but in 2010 researchers discovered how to replace a key molecule with some easier to create and work with. Now researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have succeeded in modelling how sugars on membranes can influence the behavior and interactions of cells. Cell membranes are made of two layers of phospholipids, which are molecules with a water-loving head and water-hating tail. This allows them to self-assemble into so simple membranes just by being placed in water. In 2010 it was discovered that a class of molecules called dendrimers could replace the phospholipids, and they can be precisely tuned. On the surface of natural membranes though are sugars that are crucial for how cells interact with each other, so the question was if these artificial membranes could support sugars. The researchers have found they can by constructing a library of dendrimers that are chemically bonded to glycan sugars. What all of this translates to is a new ability to model cell membranes, which could lead to various advances in medicine and biophysics. Some illnesses are believed to be related to mutations in proteins that interact with these sugars, such as rheumatoid arthritis, so by better understanding the processes involved, better treatments may be developed with this and much more. Source: University of Pennsylvania Back to original news post Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts