Microscopy News and Research

Latest Microscopy News and Research

Researchers track how key brain receptor works

For the first time, researchers in the lab of CSHL Professor Hiro Furukawa have been able to track each atom in the NMDA receptor, an important brain protein, as it transmits or inhibits neural signals.

1 Jul 2020

Scientists develop novel image processing techniques to reduce processing time

Researchers have created novel image processing techniques for microscopes that can decrease the time for post-processing by up to several thousand-fold.

1 Jul 2020

Princeton researcher solves long-standing mysteries of membrane protein structure

Ion channels and membrane transporters are in the business of moving ions and small molecules across cellular membranes. They are essential for metabolic and cellular homeostasis, and for a host of biological signaling pathways.

30 Jun 2020

A focused approach to imaging neural activity in the brain

When neurons fire an electrical impulse, they also experience a surge of calcium ions.

29 Jun 2020

Scientists construct a model to explain why plants are green

When sunlight shining on a leaf changes rapidly, plants must protect themselves from the ensuing sudden surges of solar energy.

26 Jun 2020

New imaging techniques reveal individual transcription factor proteins in real time

A new study provides a new understanding of the mechanisms through which DNA-binding proteins look for the genome for their particular binding sites.

26 Jun 2020

Efficient laser technique can convert cellulose into biofuel

With the imminent threat of a climate crisis hanging over our heads, it has become crucial to develop efficient alternatives to fossil fuels.

25 Jun 2020

Study shows how the innate immune system fights off toxin-producing bacteria

The innate immune system is the main line of defense against infections caused by microorganisms.

24 Jun 2020

High-throughput super-resolution microscope shows organelle in unparalleled detail

The centriole is the organelle of interest if individuals want to learn the fundamental mechanisms of cellular division and motility.

23 Jun 2020

Study sheds light on DNA sculpting properties of enigmatic protein

Sometimes, when something is broken, the first step to fixing it is to break it even more. In a recent example, scientists seeking to understand the mechanism of a DNA-repairing enzyme have discovered that the molecule performs its functions by first marking and then further breaking damaged DNA.

22 Jun 2020

New microscope looks at the different parameters that change during wound healing

Researchers at the GSK Center for Optical Molecular Imaging have developed a new microscope that looks at the different parameters that change during wound healing. They hope to use this technique to understand how skin disorders, such as foot ulcers in diabetic patients and psoriasis, can be treated.

18 Jun 2020

cryo-EM images reveal proteins involved in brain activity

When the body continues to perform its daily biological processes neurotransmitters, regulate the level of electrical activity inside the brain.

18 Jun 2020

Dysfunctional placenta can contribute to Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Researchers have demonstrated that a dysfunctional placenta can play a formerly unknown role during the earliest phases of development in Cornelia de Lange.

17 Jun 2020

Solving A Parkinson's Disease Puzzle Through Protein Design

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter involved in everything and the receptors have been a longstanding target for treating disorders like Parkinson's disease.

17 Jun 2020

New protein design could help in drug discovery for Parkinson’s disease

The neurotransmitter dopamine plays a vital role in everything, starting from motor control to higher cognitive functions, arousal, motivation, sexual gratification, and reinforcement.

12 Jun 2020

Researchers develop intracellular biopsy to isolate targeted miRNAs from living cells

MicroRNAs, are attracting interest relating to human diseases because variations in the expression of miRNAs are often associated with abnormal functions.

11 Jun 2020

Study reveals structure of an activated dopamine receptor

Dopamine, a chemical that sends messages between different parts of the brain and body, plays a key role in a variety of diseases and behaviors by interacting with receptors on cells.

11 Jun 2020

Study reveals the role of Cpeb4 protein involved in bone and joint diseases

Osteoclasts are bone-dissolving cells that are extracted from a type of immune cell referred to as macrophages which are required for the maintenance of bones.

10 Jun 2020

Cellular mechanophenotyping may help better understand tumor cells

Our ability to predict who will get cancer, how a patient will respond to treatment, or if a patient will relapse is still quite limited. Despite advances in the detection of genetic mutations and the establishment of risk factors, such as age and genetic variants, it remains a great scientific and medical challenge.

10 Jun 2020

New research advances the field of optical microscopy

New Illinois ECE research is advancing the field of optical microscopy, giving the field a critical new tool to solve challenging problems across many fields of science and engineering including semiconductor wafer inspection, nanoparticle sensing, material characterization, biosensing, virus counting, and microfluidic monitoring.

9 Jun 2020