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Related Concept Videos

The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic01:25

The Anchoring-and-Adjustment Heuristic

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In order to make good decisions, we use our knowledge and our reasoning. Often, this knowledge and reasoning is sound and solid. However, sometimes, we are swayed by biases or by others manipulating a situation. For example, let’s say you and three friends wanted to rent a house and had a combined target budget of $1,600. The realtor shows you only very run-down houses for $1,600 and then shows you a very nice house for $2,000. Might you ask each person to pay more in rent to get the...
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Anchoring Junctions01:03

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Anchoring junctions are multiprotein complexes that help cells connect to other cells and the extracellular matrix. Anchoring junctions are present on the lateral and basal surfaces of cells, providing strong and flexible connections. Focal adhesions are often formed due to cell interactions with the ECM substrata, which initiate signal transduction via kinase cascades and other mechanisms. Together, they provide stability and tissue integrity. There are three types of anchoring junctions:...
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Lipids as Anchors01:32

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In the plasma membrane, the lipids forming the bilayer can also act as an anchor to tether proteins to the membrane. The three main types of lipid anchors found in eukaryotes are – prenyl groups, fatty acyl groups, and glycosylphosphatidylinositol or GPI groups. Prenyl and fatty acyl groups act as anchors on the cytosolic surface of the membrane, whereas GPI anchors proteins on the extracellular side.
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GPI Anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:29

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GPI-anchoring is a post-translational, reversible protein modification that is ubiquitous in eukaryotes. Such proteins are primarily present on the exoplasmic leaflet of the plasma membrane.
GPI-anchor structure
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Tail-anchoring of Proteins in the ER Membrane01:45

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Tail-anchored, or TA, proteins are estimated to make up to 3-5% of membrane proteins found in the eukaryotic cell. Such proteins have a single transmembrane domain located approximately 30 amino acid residues upstream from the C-terminal end. As a result, the signal recognition particle (SRP) cannot guide a TA protein to the ER membrane for cotranslational insertion. Hence, they are integrated into the ER membrane post-translationally using their C-terminal end as the anchor. TA proteins...
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Cellular Differentiation00:57

Cellular Differentiation

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How does a complex organism such as a human develop from a single cell? It all starts from a single fertilized egg which gives rise to a vast array of cell types, such as nerve cells, muscle cells, and epithelial cells that characterize the adult? Throughout development and adulthood, cellular differentiation leads cells to assume their final morphology and physiology. Differentiation is the process by which unspecialized cells become specialized to carry out distinct functions.
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Universal anchored-droplet device for cellular bioassays.

Gabriel Amselem1, Sébastien Sart2, Charles N Baroud2

  • 1LadHyX and Department of Mechanics, Ecole Polytechnique, CNRS, Palaiseau, France.

Methods in Cell Biology
|November 27, 2018
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a novel microfluidic device that immobilizes droplets using 3D topography, simplifying cell encapsulation and manipulation for broader laboratory use in biological research.

Keywords:
AnchorsAntibiogramDroplet microfluidicsHeterogeneityRailsSingle cellTransfection

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Area of Science:

  • Biotechnology
  • Microfluidics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Droplet microfluidics enables single-cell encapsulation for observing population heterogeneity.
  • Current methods for droplet manipulation require complex feedback control and precise timing, limiting accessibility.
  • Technical challenges hinder the widespread adoption of droplet microfluidic protocols in non-specialist laboratories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present a simplified method for producing and manipulating droplets within microfluidic devices.
  • To overcome the limitations of existing droplet microfluidic techniques by enabling stationary droplet handling.
  • To demonstrate the utility of this approach for various biological applications.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a microfluidic device with three-dimensional topography using "rails and anchors" technique.
  • Utilizing microchannels with predefined regions of increased height to confine fluids.
  • Leveraging the natural tendency of droplets to minimize surface area for manipulation.

Main Results:

  • Successful production and manipulation of stationary droplets within the microfluidic chamber.
  • Demonstration of a wide range of droplet manipulation tools based on surface area minimization.
  • Validation of the method through several biological applications.

Conclusions:

  • The developed "rails and anchors" microfluidic approach simplifies droplet manipulation by creating stationary droplets.
  • This technique enhances the accessibility of droplet microfluidics for non-specialist labs.
  • The method shows significant potential for diverse biological applications requiring precise cell handling.