Mechanical stability regulates the nuclear import rate of translocating proteins
The nuclear pore complex (NPC) is the primary transport gateway for biomolecules to enter and exit the cell nucleus. It has long been known that the passage of proteins through the NPC is highly size-selective, and it was recently shown that the nuclear import rate...
Plasmonic nanoparticles as photocatalysts: How much energy can they supply?
Catalysts play a key role in many industrial processes, as more than 85% of the energy consumed daily by our essential-routine devices is generated by processes that involve them. Recently, it has been found that under visible light illumination, metallic...
Tissues behave like giant cells
During our every day life, many of our tissues are subjected to large deformations. LCN scientists have now uncovered how stresses are dissipated in living tissues to prevent their rupture. The research, published in Nature Physics, provides us with a better...
Filming how our immune system kills bacteria
To kill bacteria in the blood, our immune system relies on nanomachines that can open deadly holes in their targets. LCN scientists have now filmed these nanomachines in action, discovering a key bottleneck in the process which helps to protect our own cells. The...