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Related Concept Videos

Tight Junctions01:29

Tight Junctions

Tight junctions are molecular seals between cells that prevent the leaking of fluids, ions, and other small solutes across cavities and compartments in multicellular organisms. They are mainly composed of claudin and occludin transmembrane proteins, and other proteins such as tricellulin and JAM (junctional adhesion molecule). All these proteins are 4-pass transmembrane proteins, except JAM, which is a single-pass transmembrane protein belonging to the immunoglobulin superfamily. The...
Gap Junctions01:37

Gap Junctions

Multicellular organisms employ a variety of ways for cells to communicate with each other. Gap junctions are specialized proteins that form pores between neighboring cells in animals, connecting the cytoplasm between the two, and allowing for the exchange of molecules and ions. They are found in a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate species, mediate numerous functions including cell differentiation and development, and are associated with numerous human diseases, including cardiac and...
Gap Junctions01:27

Gap Junctions

The cytoplasm of adjacent animal cells can exchange small molecules, ions, and secondary messengers via the communication channels which form the gap junctions. These junctions comprise a few hundred to thousands of molecular channels, each made of two halves, called the connexon hemichannel. A connexon is a hexamer of six transmembrane connexin proteins, which assemble radially, thus forming a pore or channel in the center. One connexon hemichannel docks with a corresponding connexon on the...
Metal-Semiconductor Junctions01:24

Metal-Semiconductor Junctions

The contact of metal and semiconductor can lead to the formation of a junction with either Schottky or Ohmic behavior.
Schottky Barriers
Schottky barriers arise when a metal with a work function (Φm) contacts a semiconductor with a different work function (Φs). Initially, electrons transfer until the Fermi levels of the metal and semiconductor align at equilibrium. For instance, if Φm > Φs, the semiconductor Fermi level is higher than the metal's before contact. The semiconductor's...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...
Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions01:14

Overview of Cell-Cell Junctions

The complex three-dimensional arrangement of cells in any multicellular organism is defined and maintained by interactions of cells with each other and the extracellular matrix. Cell-cell junctions are specialized structures where the multi-protein complexes on one cell interact with the multi-protein complexes on another  cell. These cell junctions are classified  into three main types based on their function — occluding, anchoring, and gap junctions.
Occluding or Tight Junctions
Tight...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Detection and Quantification of Tunneling Nanotubes Using 3D Volume View Images
12:45

Detection and Quantification of Tunneling Nanotubes Using 3D Volume View Images

Published on: August 31, 2022

Molecular junctions: from tunneling to function.

Michel Calame1

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Basel. michel.calame@unibas.ch

Chimia
|December 9, 2010
PubMed
Summary

Researchers are exploring molecular devices and their electrical properties by creating molecular junctions. These junctions, formed by contacting individual molecules with electrodes, show potential for functional applications, including stimulus-responsive conductance.

Area of Science:

  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
  • Molecular Electronics
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

  • Significant research effort is directed towards molecular devices and their electrical transport properties.
  • Advancements in experimental techniques enable the study of individual molecules in electronic circuits.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the formation mechanisms of molecular junctions.
  • To discuss the electrical transport properties of individual molecules contacted by metallic electrodes.
  • To explore extensions to molecular junction networks and their functionalities.

Main Methods:

  • Formation of molecular junctions by contacting individual molecules with metallic electrodes.
  • Characterization of electrical transport properties at the molecular level.

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Single-cell Microinjection for Cell Communication Analysis

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Last Updated: Jun 6, 2026

Detection and Quantification of Tunneling Nanotubes Using 3D Volume View Images
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Detection and Quantification of Tunneling Nanotubes Using 3D Volume View Images

Published on: August 31, 2022

Standardized Method to Detect Tunneling Nanotubes in Human Skin Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications
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Standardized Method to Detect Tunneling Nanotubes in Human Skin Cells for Tissue Engineering Applications

Published on: January 13, 2026

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  • Investigation of molecular junction networks.

    • Main Results:

    • Demonstration of functional capabilities in molecular junction systems.
    • Examples of conductance modulation in response to external stimuli (light, chemical).

    Conclusions:

    • Individual molecules can be effectively contacted to form functional molecular junctions.
    • Molecular junctions and their networks offer promising avenues for novel electronic devices with tunable properties.