In 2013, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to James Rothman, Randy Schekman, and Thomas Sudhof for their pioneering research in cell signaling pathways. Together, they were able to solve many questions that we had about how this precise cell-‐to-‐ cell regulation is carried out. With their works, many scientists across the world can apply their discoveries in various ways.
Due to our profound genomic studies, we have been able to sequence many genomes of various organisms. With the research that we have done, we have seen many similar genetic sequences between yeast and certain human sequences, corresponding to our similar evolutionary ancestor. This has led many researchers to study human conditions by studying the yeast counterparts as model organisms, as Randy Schekman did in order to “identify certain genetic controllers in the cell’s transport system” (1). In his genetic studies, he studied defective transport machinery in yeast cells, which consequently led to the congestion of vesicles in certain parts of that organism since they were not being transported properly. By precisely observing all the genes that were in play in this condition, he pointed out certa...
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... to corresponding human genes. With our understanding of how transport vesicles bind to plasma membranes to transport their cargo, James Rothman identified protein complexes on the vesicles and target membranes that ensure precise binding. Lastly, Thomas Sudhof discovered certain calcium binding proteins on nerve cells that are only activated when
the nerve cells which to release neurotransmitters to communicate with other nerve cells at particular times (Temporal Precision). The works of all these scientists was truly remarkable and will have a profound impact on the future of medical research. a
“The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2013.” The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2013. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Dec. 2013.
In order for neuron communication to occur, the post-synaptic neuron must have receptor sites for the neurotransmitters released by the pre-synaptic neuron. Also, these neurotransmitters, by binding on to the receptors, must bring about a change in the post-synaptic neuron, namely an EPSP (excitatory post-synaptic potential) or an IPSP (inhibitory post-synaptic potential), which may or may not lead to an action potential triggering in the post-synaptic neuron.
45- Koblizek TI, Siehoff A, Pitt A. Systematic analysis of complex signal transduction pathways using protein fragment complementation assays. Methods Mol Biol. 2013; 986: 179-185.
Once the project began in 1990, fewer than one hundred human sickness genes had been known. At the project 's conclusion in 2003, the quantity of known sickness genes had up to over fourteen-hundred, however, the human order project centered on the polymer sequence of a personal. The results of human genome project results in significant improvement of the medicines for different diseases. The project initiated by the government enables the researchers and the doctors to understand the etiology of less known disease. After knowing the factors behind the disease, researchers tried to find out the medicines which could treat those diseases and diminish their effects. It also made the world aware of the fact that genes could be used for the research and medical purposes in the field of medicine. As a result of this project, it became very easy to produce the clones and the genes by performing the gene sequencing and different analysis on the genes of a person. The future of this project, doctors will become completely able to understand the hidden causes of the disease which will later on help in understanding the management of their
Science has advanced tremendously in the last decade or so, specially in the field of cellular genetics. Even with such great advancements many scientists find that intracellular transport is a rather complex cellular process that requires parts such as a dynamic cytoskeleton, and molecular motor protein, which are myosin, kinesin, and dynein. In addition, intracellular transport involves the movement and selecting of vesicles and proteins to particular cellular regions. Sometimes intracellular transport happens over elongated distances, “like down the nerve axon” (Lodish). Occasionally this transport is simply the movement of a vesicle through the cell cortex. Transport also incorporates the suitable delivery and localization of organelles. The mitochondria serve as an example for such system of transportation within the organelles.
8. Becker W. M, Hardin J, Kleinsmith L.J an Bertoni G (2010) Becker’s World of the Cell, 8th edition, San Francisco, Pearson Education Inc- Accessed 23/11/2013.
In plant and animal cells there are particular signals that trigger the release of proteins or other regulatory molecules in order to adjust and maintain homeostasis. Not very many molecules can enter, leave, or cross organelle membranes by themselves. Most molecules require the use of transport proteins. Transporter proteins can only bind to very few substrates at a time and undergoes a conformational change so that only these may be transported across the membrane. In order for cell to have normal growth and development cell signaling is a necessity. When a signal molecule binds to a cell surface receptor protein, it activates and releases a G protein on the inside of the cell. The G protein then stimulates adenylyl cyclase to produce large amounts of cyclic AMP with the cell.
A nerve cell (neuron) is the basic building block of the nervous system and is specialized to transmit information. It consists of a cell body and two types of branchlike fibers, dendrites and axons (top of Figure 1). Dendrites, along the cell body, receive information in the form of stimuli from sensory receptors or from other nerve cells. The axon is a long, thin cellular extension responsible for transmitting information to other nerve cells, and is filled with a viscous intracellular fluid called the axoplasm. If stimuli received by the dendrites or the cell body is above the cellâs intensity threshold, a nerve impulse is initiated which propagates along the axon. It flows along the axon away from the cell body toward the terminal branches. Once a nerve impulse reaches the terminal branches, neurotransmitter substances release, conveying the impulse to receptors on the next cell.
Neurotransmitters can be thought as the chemical messengers specialized in communication between neurons. These chemical messages are wrapped up in synaptic vesicles that facilitate the travel across one neuron to another. These synaptic vesicles also provide protection when crossing to the synaptic cleft located on the receiving neuron. Once these neurotransmitters reach to the receiving end of the neuron, their synaptic vesicles release the neurotransmitter's inner-molecules into
The cytoskeleton is a highly dynamic intracellular platform constituted by a three-dimensional network of proteins responsible for key cellular roles as structure and shape, cell growth and development, and offering to the cell with "motility" that being the ability of the entire cell to move and for material to be moved within the cell in a regulated fashion (vesicle trafficking)’, (intechopen 2017). The cytoskeleton is made of microtubules, filaments, and fibres - they give the cytoplasm physical support. Michael Kent, (2000) describes the cytoskeleton as the ‘internal framework’, this is because it shapes the cell and provides support to cellular extensions – such as microvilli. In some cells it is used in intracellular transport. Since the shape of the cell is constantly changing, the microtubules will also change, they will readjust and reassemble to fit the needs of the cell.
Synaptic transmission is the process of the communication of neurons. Communication between neurons and communication between neuron and muscle occurs at specialized junction called synapses. The most common type of synapse is the chemical synapse. Synaptic transmission begins when the nerve impulse or action potential reaches the presynaptic axon terminal. The action potential causes depolarization of the presynaptic membrane and it will initiates the sequence of events leading to release the neurotransmitter and then, the neurotransmitter attach to the receptor at the postsynaptic membrane and it will lead to the activate of the postsynaptic membrane and continue to send the impulse to other neuron or sending the signal to the muscle for contraction (Breedlove, Watson, & Rosenzweig, 2012; Barnes, 2013). Synaptic vesicles exist in different type, either tethered to the cytoskeleton in a reserve pool, or free in the cytoplasm (Purves, et al., 2001). Some of the free vesicles make their way to the plasma membrane and dock, as a series of priming reactions prepares the vesicular ...
For years people have been looking for a cure for the devastating disease of cancer. Cancer is the third highest killer in the US with over 2,500,000 victims per year. Oncologists and scientists around the country are researching all forms of cancer in an effort to understand, treat, and ultimately defeat this disease. Already there have been numerous advances in the field, such as chemotherapy and gene therapy. One advance has been the use of a cell process known as apoptosis. By harnessing this normal cell process, scientists hope to have found an effective way to combat cancer.
heated in the recent years. Following the mapping of the human genome, scientists are pursuing
Systems biology helps in exploring the various mechanisms of systems by studying the interaction of components using various technologies such as bioinformatics, genomics and high throughput sequencing. As, lot of new diseases are emerging nowadays in different parts of the body, so to overcome them, advanced use of “Personalized Medicine” is done [3]. Personalized Medicine is different from the medicine today as former is prescribed according to one’s genetic profile and content. As never done before, personalized health care can detect the onset of disease at its earliest stage and at the same time can increase the efficiency of the health care system by improving quality, accessibility, and affordability. The completion of Human Genome Project (HGP) have led to the various benefits to the patients by providing biological insights and allowing the physicians to select customize treatments for patients which can greatly increase their chances of survival
Campbell, N. A. & J. B. Reece, 8th eds. (2008). Biology. San Francisco: Pearson Benjamin Cummings.