Cell membranes protect and organize cells. All cells have an outer plasma membrane that regulates not only what enters the cell, but also how much of any given substance comes in. Unlike prokaryotes, ...

When two cells "talk" to each other, they often do so through tiny channels called electrical synapses. Unlike chemical synapses, these so-called gap junctions enable the direct exchange of ...

In cell biology, the membrane is made of two layers of lipids that are often unevenly distributed. Scientists know this asymmetry affects how membranes perform important tasks like forming protective ...

Lipid bilayers in mammalian membranes can have a more asymmetric composition than previously thought, new research shows. This lipid abundance asymmetry is enabled by the unique properties of ...

Cells may generate their own electrical signals through microscopic membrane motions. Researchers show that active molecular processes can create voltage spikes similar to those used by neurons. These ...

Lipid bilayers in mammalian membranes can have a more asymmetric composition than previously thought, new research shows. This lipid abundance asymmetry is enabled by the unique properties of ...

For life to function, cell membranes must remain intact. When these fragile barriers are damaged – for instance by heat or viral attack – specialized proteins come to the rescue. Researchers at ...

Cell membranes are the boundaries of living cells. They are made up of amphiphilic lipids, cholesterol, and membrane proteins arranged in a dynamic bilayer. They regulate signal transduction, ...

Scientists have long known that cellular membranes vary in thickness, but measuring those differences inside actual cells has been out of reach. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest sci-tech ...

Our bodies are made up of countless cells, and each one is enclosed by a thin layer called the cell membrane. This membrane is not a rigid wall, but a soft, flexible sheet made of lipids. Beneath it ...