Structure nano-cellular

Topography of a substrate is as important as chemical composition in controlling cell responses and functions [69]. Structural properties of the substrate at molecular, nanometer, and micrometer scales control and influence cell adhesion, spreading, migration, growth, differentiation, and a variety of functions, in a cell-type specific manner [24], With nano and microfabrication techniques, we are now able to mimic in vivo structures, create new topographic characteristics at the cellular and subcellular level, and guide cells to behave in the way we prefer. 

Some of the main areas of research within this Group at Newcastle are cellular polymers, biomass waste gasification, nano-structured micro-porous materials and spinning disc reactors. 

The enormous scale of the challenge to build a truly biomimetic muscle can be appreciated by considering what is known about natural muscle structure. The contractions of these motors involve a highly complex and coordinated sequence of electrical, chemical, and physical phenomena within a composite, gel-like polymeric material that is known to possess a detailed hierarchical structure, stretching from the nano-scale assembly of proteins through the cellular fibrillar textures to the macroscopic tissue. The exact function of many of these features is still the subject of on-going research. In general, the skeletal muscles consist of tendons (non-active) and muscle belly (active). While tendons mainly provide muscle connectivity to hard bones,... 

Modified HA is a unique nano-container of biologically active compounds, both at the level of the individual macromolecule and small evenly cross-linked cellular structures. This is a kind of reticular structure composed of nano fragments of 50-300 nm. These structures could be studied by the sol-gel method based on the statistical theory of ceU-Uke polymer formation. 

Figure 10.20 Synchrotron X-ray chemical nano-imaging reveals iron sub-cellular distribution. The synchrotron X-ray fluorescence nanoprobe endstation installed at ESRF was designed to provide a high flux hard X-ray beam of less than 90 nm size (FWHM, full width at half maximum). The intensity distribution in the focal plane is shown in (A) dopamine producing cells were exposed in vitro to 300 pM FeS04 during 24 h (B). Chemical element distributions, here potassium and iron, were recorded on distinct cellular areas such as cell bodies (C), neurite outgrowths, and distal ends (D). Iron was found in 200 nm structures in the cytosol, neurite outgrowths, and distal ends, but not in the nucleus. Iron-rich structures are not always resolved by the beam and clusters of larger dimension are also observed. Min max range bar units are arbitrary. Scale bars = 1 pm." 2007 PLoS ONE.

Cherchi, C. et al (2011) Impact of nano titanium dioxide exposure on cellular structure of anabaena varabilis and evidence of internalization. Environ. Toxicol Chem., 30 (4), 861-869. 

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