Microbe World
Cell Transportation Network
Like a major city, our cells use a complex transportation network to deliver molecular goods to different destinations. A protein called kinesin (blue) is in charge of moving cargo around inside cells and helping them divide. It's powered by biological fuel called ATP (bright yellow) as it scoots along tube-like cellular tracks called microtubules (gray). Since kinesin's movement helps support cell division, blocking its action could potentially derail cancer.
This picture captures a moment in cellular time, where kinesin is stopped in its tracks. It was derived from images captured through a type of electron microscopy that uses a beam of electrons to produce an intensely magnified, high-resolution snapshot of a sample at extremely low temperatures. (Date of Image: February 2010)
Credit: Charles Sindelar, Brandeis University
(www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.cfm?med_id=71754&from=mmg)
Cell Transportation Network
Like a major city, our cells use a complex transportation network to deliver molecular goods to different destinations. A protein called kinesin (blue) is in charge of moving cargo around inside cells and helping them divide. It's powered by biological fuel called ATP (bright yellow) as it scoots along tube-like cellular tracks called microtubules (gray). Since kinesin's movement helps support cell division, blocking its action could potentially derail cancer.
This picture captures a moment in cellular time, where kinesin is stopped in its tracks. It was derived from images captured through a type of electron microscopy that uses a beam of electrons to produce an intensely magnified, high-resolution snapshot of a sample at extremely low temperatures. (Date of Image: February 2010)
Credit: Charles Sindelar, Brandeis University
(www.nsf.gov/news/mmg/mmg_disp.cfm?med_id=71754&from=mmg)