Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

Outer Layers of the Cell Envelope

The outermost layers of prokaryotic cells play a critical role in their survival, virulence, and interaction with the environment. These layers, often composed of polysaccharides, polypeptides, or proteins, form protective and adhesive structures that vary in organization and function.Capsules and Slime LayersCapsules are highly organized, tightly bound layers that firmly attach to the bacterial cell wall. Capsules are usually made of polysaccharides, though some are made of polypeptides. These...

What are Membranes?

What are Membranes?

A key characteristic of life is the ability to separate the external environment from the internal space. To do this, cells have evolved semi-permeable membranes that regulate the passage of biological molecules. Additionally, the cell membrane defines a cell’s shape and interactions with the external environment. Eukaryotic cell membranes also serve to compartmentalize the internal space into organelles, including the endomembrane structures of the nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi...

What are Membranes?

What are Membranes?

A cell's plasma membrane demarcates the cell's borders and determines the nature of its interaction with the environment. Cells exclude certain substances, take in others, and excrete some others in controlled quantities. The plasma membrane must be flexible to allow certain cells, such as red and white blood cells, to change their shape while passing through narrow capillaries. These are the more obvious plasma membrane functions. In addition, the plasma membrane's surface carries markers that...

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Mechanisms of Membrane Domain Formation

Different physical properties of lipids and proteins allow them to localize and form distinct islands or domains in the membrane. Some membrane domains are formed due to protein-protein interactions, whereas others are formed due to the presence of specific lipids such as sphingolipids and sterols—for example, large proteins, such as bacteriorhodopsin, aggregate and create distinct domains.
Another mechanism for membrane domain formation involves membrane proteins interacting with cytoskeletal...

Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane

Enlargement of the Plasma Membrane

Cell division and enlargement are processes that require precise control. The control ensures that cell division cannot proceed unless the cell has grown to a specific size. A spherical, dividing cell requires an approximately 1.6X increase in its surface area to double its volume. The secretory pathway also has a significant role in cell membrane enlargement. Secretory vesicles that bud off from the Golgi apparatus and later fuse with the plasma membrane during exocytosis are a major source of...

Membrane Domains

Membrane Domains

The membrane domains concentrate specific lipids and proteins at one place within the membrane, which helps in cell signaling, adhesion, and other critical cellular processes. These domains can differ in size, composition, function, and lifespan.
Protein Domains
The membrane comprises a group of distinct proteins responsible for carrying out a cell's specific function. For example, the plasma membrane of the human sperm, or a single germ cell, contains a unique set of proteins in the anterior...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

In Situ Ferroptosis with Global Dynamics Visualization for Glioblastoma Theranostics.

Journal of medicinal chemistry·2025

Same author

Correction: miR-377 induces senescence in human skin fibroblasts by targeting DNA methyltransferase 1.

Cell death & disease·2025

Same author

Hybrid Auricular Framework of Autologous Rib and Ear Cartilage for Microtia Reconstruction through a Preauricular Incision.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery·2025

Same author

En bloc resection for primary spinal tumors with huge intrathoracic involvement: a surgical intervention for neurological decompression and oncological control.

Frontiers in neurology·2025

Same author

Magnetic slippery microcatheter with artificial cilia for low-friction interventions.

Science advances·2025

Same author

A Mendelian randomization study between air pollutants and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Medicine·2025

Same journal

Rethinking One Health: Microbial Foundations for Ecological Governance.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Biobanked Liver Organoids: A Roadmap for Precision Hepatology.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

The Temporal Architecture of Human Cells: Organelle Clocks and Distributed Circadian Time.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Opposing Activity at the Apical Surface: An Antagonistic Collaboration Between Crumbs and Myosin II Determines Organ Shape.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

Hidden Fungal DNA Structures May Shape Sequencing Outcomes.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

Same journal

An Engineering Perspective on the Importance of Obtaining Operational Stability in Graduate School.

BioEssays : news and reviews in molecular, cellular and developmental biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids

Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids

Published on: October 13, 2021

Cellular shellization: surface engineering gives cells an exterior.

Ben Wang¹, Peng Liu, Ruikang Tang

¹Center for Biomaterials and Biopathways and Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310027, China.

Bioessays : News and Reviews in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology

|July 27, 2010

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed artificial shells for single cells, enhancing their protection and function. This material-based approach offers a cost-effective method for advanced cell technologies and creating "super" cells.

More Related Videos

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Published on: August 4, 2015

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Published on: March 1, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 10, 2026

Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids

Microfluidic Fabrication of Core-Shell Microcapsules carrying Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Spheroids

Published on: October 13, 2021

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Sandwich-like Microenvironments to Harness Cell/Material Interactions

Published on: August 4, 2015

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Preparation of Thermoresponsive Nanostructured Surfaces for Tissue Engineering

Published on: March 1, 2016

Area of Science:

Biomaterials Science
Cell Biology
Bioengineering

Background:

Most natural single cells lack protective shells, limiting their durability and functionality.
Artificially conferring shell structures on living cells presents a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore methods for creating artificial cellular shells.
To investigate the potential applications of shell-functionalized cells.

Main Methods:

Discussed four types of cellular shellization: hydrogels, sol-gels, polyelectrolytes, and mineral shells.
Explored material-based bio-interface regulation for cell functionalization.

Main Results:

Shellization enhances cell protection and function.
Integration of living cells with non-living shells can create advanced, intelligent cells.

Conclusions:

Cellular shellization offers a versatile strategy for regulating and functionalizing cells.
Material-based approaches provide an inexpensive, effective, and convenient alternative to biological methods for cell-based technologies.