Cells, as physical systems, are discrete, membrane-bound units of biological organization that maintain non-equilibrium thermodynamic states through regulated exchanges of matter and energy with their environment. They comprise structurally organized macromolecular assemblies—primarily lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates—partitioned into distinct compartments (e.g., cytosol, organelles) that support specialized biochemical networks. These systems exhibit emergent properties such as signal processing, self-replication, and adaptive response, governed by gene expression programs and biophysical constraints. At multiple scales, cells function as fundamental units of structure and function in organisms, integrating mechanical, chemical, and electrical processes within a dynamically regulated spatial architecture.
When cells experience sudden physical stress, like stretching or pressure, they can activate a fast, protective mechanism that shields their nuclei from destruction, according to a new study published in the Biophysical Journal. ...
Cell & Microbiology
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Scientists from six Asian countries have launched an ambitious 10-year effort to build synthetic cells from non-living molecules, marking the region's first coordinated push to create an artificial single-celled biological ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 1, 2026
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Cells are typically studied outside the body under controlled laboratory conditions. However, conventional flat cell culture methods do not fully reproduce the complex three-dimensional environments that cells experience ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 1, 2026
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Within the past decade, biologists have discovered that one strategy cells use to keep their contents organized is a phenomenon known as phase separation. Similar to the way oil forms droplets that float in a vinegar solution, ...
Cell & Microbiology
Jun 1, 2026
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Like schools of fish and flocks of birds, our cells can also migrate collectively in coordination with their neighbors. This harmonious movement of cells occurs during embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis. ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 22, 2026
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Living systems such as cells rely on membrane pores and channels to transport molecules, exchange signals, and organize biochemical reactions. These functions emerge from dynamic interactions between molecular components. ...
Bio & Medicine
May 21, 2026
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Scientists at Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern (CRI) have discovered that large pieces of DNA can transfer directly between human cells, and the DNA can persist and change how the recipient ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 19, 2026
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In every organism, the regulation of cell populations is a constant process. This balance relies on a continuous interplay between "guardian" proteins that promote cell survival and "killer" proteins that trigger programmed ...
Cell & Microbiology
May 19, 2026
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Every human cell is surrounded by a sugar coating known as the glycocalyx. It not only interacts with its environment but also reveals a great deal about cells' internal states. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for ...
Bio & Medicine
May 15, 2026
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Proteins do most of the work in our body's cells. But when a protein is too active or does not function properly, it can lead to disease or other health problems. Researchers from the University of Toronto have discovered ...
Molecular & Computational biology
May 12, 2026
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