Category: biophysics

Computational protein design provides insights that enhance our understanding of protein folding principles

March 18, 2024

Structural biology is traditionally an experimental science building on data collected by X-ray crystallography, and more recently, cryo-electron microscopy. Such data and the reconstructed structures provide a lens into the principles of protein folding, and help connect particular protein amino acid sequence, and corresponding solved protein structures. But, solved protein structures are snapshots of a … More Computational protein design provides insights that enhance our understanding of protein folding principles

Each recombinant protein needs its own refolding buffer

March 1, 2024

Recombinant proteins are typically synthesized as inclusion bodies in the genetically engineered microbial cells. In order to be functional, the recombinant protein needs to be refolded into its correct three-dimensional structure in vitro. To do this, a specialized reagent known as refolding buffer is employed. But, do all recombinant proteins share the same refolding buffer? … More Each recombinant protein needs its own refolding buffer

Image reconstruction is the key technological hinge that determines the spatial and temporal resolution achievable in modern medical imaging

February 25, 2024

Modern medical imaging is powered by five major modalities that include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound imaging, computed tomography (CT), planar X-ray, and nuclear medicine (positron emission tomography (PET) or single positron emission computed tomography, SPECT). Only planar X-ray does not need image reconstruction, which highlights the critical importance of image reconstruction algorithms and methods … More Image reconstruction is the key technological hinge that determines the spatial and temporal resolution achievable in modern medical imaging

Comparison between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for brain imaging

February 15, 2024

Brain imaging could potentially detect cancer early and increase treatment success for otherwise a fatal disease. Both computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could perform brain imaging albeit with differing spatial and temporal resolution. So, how do the two imaging modalities compare with each other in clinical practice? Briefly, computed tomography is a much … More Comparison between computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for brain imaging

Significant variation exists (at the fine-grained level) in ultrasound images of internal organs of different patients

February 8, 2024

Ultrasound is a relatively cheap and accessible imaging modality for biomedical applications. Indeed, ultrasound medical imaging has seen applications in abdominal imaging and fetus imaging. However, significant variation in image quality resulting in differing interpretations of organ structure and positioning is present in clinical imaging. The chief reason for this variation in organ internal structure … More Significant variation exists (at the fine-grained level) in ultrasound images of internal organs of different patients

Cryo-electron microscopy has reached resolution on par with X-ray crystallography

February 1, 2024

Compared to the more established X-ray crystallography, cryo-electron microscopy images were of lower resolution until a recent breakthrough that brought forth a “resolution revolution”. Specifically, advances in instrument setup, optics, and reconstruction software helped ushered in a new era in cryo-electron microscopy where resolution of images could reach 1.25 Angstrom. This is similar to that … More Cryo-electron microscopy has reached resolution on par with X-ray crystallography

Theoretical basis for applying two-dimensional materials to fluorescence microscopy

November 8, 2023

Two dimensional (2D) nanomaterials are a relatively new class of nanomaterials where the lead material in the class is graphene, and reduced graphene oxide. Later, MoS2 also emerged as a candidate 2D nanomaterials for use in catalysis and separation. Theoretically, 2D nanomaterials are of high surface energy and are reactive materials given their thickness of … More Theoretical basis for applying two-dimensional materials to fluorescence microscopy

Care must be taken in interpreting single molecule localisation microscopy images

October 16, 2023

Since 2015, there has been a revolution in resolution in bioimaging and fluorescence microscopy research. Specifically, the resolution limit has reached the low tens of nanometres such as 20 to 30 nanometres. This is equivalent to operating in the realm of high performance microscopy experiments where every aspect of the imaging operation must be fine-tuned … More Care must be taken in interpreting single molecule localisation microscopy images

Computational analysis is the heart of single molecule localisation microscopy

October 9, 2023

In the early 2000s, several studies reported significant breakthroughs in our ability to image single molecules at the nanoscale. Known collectively as single molecule localisation microscopy (SMLM), these techniques share important features such as the use of photoactivable fluorophores as well as computational reconstruction of microscopy images to help generate the overall overlay image. Take, … More Computational analysis is the heart of single molecule localisation microscopy

Conservation of linear momentum meant that a dividing cell should be close to stationary

July 1, 2023

During metaphase of the cell cycle, the duplicated chromosomes are pulled to opposite ends of the dividing cell by two microtubule-based mitotic spindles. One interesting question that can arise is whether the cell would move to the left or right during this process. The answer depends on whether the two mitotic spindles exert the same … More Conservation of linear momentum meant that a dividing cell should be close to stationary