Engineered starfish oocytes shape-shift in response to light, may enable the design of synthetic, light-activated cells for ...

This monomer inhibits the enzyme with high affinity (K i = 40 μM) holding it in place near the growing particle and hence allowing the polymer chains to adapt to the shape of the protein surface ...

Cells constantly shift and transform, triggering the complex choreography that shapes living organisms. Whether dividing into ...

In an organism, the active site of each enzyme is a different shape. It is a perfect match to the shape of the substrate molecule, or molecules. This is essential to the enzyme being able to work.

Different enzymes contain up to 20 different amino acids linked together to form a chain which then folds into the globular enzyme shape. Enzymes have active sites which only match specific ...

Life takes shape with the motion of a single cell. In response to signals from certain proteins and enzymes, a cell can start to move and shake, leading to contractions that cause it to squeeze, pinch ...

The researchers observed that light activated the enzyme, causing predictable cell movements. For example, specific light ...

Researchers use light stimuli to shape cells and develop a model that explains the mechanisms – with implications for synthetic biology.

MIT scientists have discovered a way to control the movements of starfish cells using light, which could have biomedical applications.

Enzymes are proteins that can change shape and therefore become active or inactive. An activator molecule (green pentagon) can bind to an enzyme (light green puzzle shape) and change its overall ...