Current methods in traction force analysis rely on a homogeneous extra-cellular matrix and
embedded microbeads to track deformations. The efficacy of these methods decreases when the matrix is not homogeneous. In heterogeneous matrices, beads often aggregate in regions of higher matrix density and float in regions where matrix substrate is...
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive molecular subtype of malignant cells that tends to proliferate quickly and is commonly resistant to traditional chemotherapy leading to relapses in prognosis more frequently than other forms of breast cancer (BCa) [1][2][3]. Current treatment options include surgical resection of cancerous tissue and...
Seed germination is strictly defined as the physiological events before radicle
protrusion through the endosperm cap, the endosperm region adjacent to the radicle tip.
There are two opposing forces governing seed germination: the growth potential of the
embryo and the mechanical resistance of the endosperm cap. The endosperm cap cell...
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising candidates in novel cancer therapies due to their unique properties, including high surface area, tunable crystal size, and exposed metal ion active sites for catalysis. The MOF NH2-MIL-88B has shown potential use in cancer theranostics. Its open metal active sites catalyze the reduction...
Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease caused by a single gene mutation in the CFTR protein. Affecting 70,000 people worldwide, this disease is debilitating to patients, resulting in persistent lung infections and decreased quality of life. Due to the various mutation types, there is not currently a single drug...
Global energy needs are continuously increasing while fossil fuels remain an uncertain resource. With a growing population and demand for energy, alternative energy sources are being pursued to power the future. Fossil fuels are an unsustainable resource that brings along problems of climate change and atmospheric pollution. Concentrated solar power...
Gravitational wave (GW) astronomy is a key ingredient in confirming Einstein’s theory of General Relativity and showing how the universe sends ripples through spacetime, distorting distances between two points. The confirmation of high-frequency GWs observed by The Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) in 2015 was a breakthrough in our understanding...
The WWC family consists of three proteins‐ KIBRA/WWC1, WWC2, and WWC3. The three proteins share a similar primary structure and interact with a common set of proteins. Each paralog contains two WW domains which recognize proline‐rich sequences of the type PPxY (P is proline, Y is tyrosine, x is any...
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a class of contaminants ubiquitous in the environment and result from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels. Many PAHs have been identified as procarcinogenic, and are metabolized to form DNA adducts; however, other mechanisms also may contribute to toxicity and help explain differences in toxicity...