Self-assembled capsules of unprecedented shapes

Bioequivalence in generic drugs, such as tablets and capsules, refers to their pharmaceutical equivalence to the brand-name counterparts. However, for therapeutic equivalence, manufacturers must also consider physical attributes like size, shape, and weight (FDA Guidance for Industry, December 2003). Discrepancies in these aspects could impact patient compliance and cause medication errors. For instance, swallowing difficulties, often experienced with larger tablets or capsules, can lead to...

Bacterial and archaeal cells exhibit remarkable diversity in shape and structure, critical in their adaptability and functionality. Among bacteria, the most commonly observed shapes include cocci and bacilli. Cocci are spherical and may exist singly or in groupings such as pairs (diplococci), chains (streptococci), clusters (staphylococci), or tetrads. Bacilli, in contrast, are rod-shaped and can also occur as single cells, in pairs, or chains, depending on their environmental and genetic...

Complex microtubule structures are present in resting cells and in dividing cells. In resting cells, they are responsible for maintaining the cellular architecture, tracks for intracellular transport, positioning of organelles, assembly of cilia and flagella. They mediate the bipolar spindle assembly for chromosomal segregation and positioning of the cell division plate in dividing cells. The formation of microtubule complex structures depends on the cell type, cell stage, and cell function.