Cell Biology
Cells can sense 10 times farther than expected, a finding that may shed light on cancer spread
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Engineers at Washington University in St. Louis report that while single abnormal cells can mechanically probe roughly 10 microns beyond what they directly touch, groups of epithelial cells can combine forces through collagen to sense features more than 100 microns away—an effect the researchers say could help explain how cancer cells navigate tissue.
Scientists have discovered a novel way large embryonic cells divide without a complete contractile ring, challenging traditional models. Using zebrafish embryos, researchers identified a mechanical ratchet system involving microtubules and changing cytoplasmic stiffness. The findings, published in Nature, explain division in yolk-rich cells of various species.
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Scientists in Japan have discovered a giant virus called ushikuvirus that infects amoebae and provides evidence for the theory that viruses contributed to the evolution of complex cells. Isolated from Lake Ushiku, the virus exhibits unique structural and replication traits linking it to other giant DNA viruses. This finding, published in the Journal of Virology, deepens understanding of viral roles in eukaryotic evolution.
Scientists have developed a revolutionary imaging technique that uncovers the intricate internal architecture of plankton, the ocean's microscopic powerhouses. Using ultrastructure expansion microscopy, researchers visualized over 200 marine species for the first time, mapping evolutionary patterns in their cellular skeletons. This work, stemming from a pandemic-era collaboration, launches a global atlas of plankton diversity.
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Researchers have discovered that cancer cells respond to physical squeezing by rapidly deploying mitochondria to the nucleus, delivering a burst of ATP to repair DNA damage and ensure survival. This mechanism, observed in lab experiments and patient biopsies, could inspire new strategies to halt cancer spread. The finding redefines mitochondria's role as dynamic responders rather than static energy sources.