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Seeing Cell Division Like Never Before
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Seeing Cell Division Like Never Before

Extreme Closeups of Bacterial Membranes and Cell Division

Insights from Harvard Medical School Research

  • Researchers at Harvard Medical School have captured unprecedented close-ups of bacterial membranes and cell wall exoskeleton during cell division, potentially offering new insights into combating antibiotic resistance.
  • The study focused on the double-layered membranes of E. coli, which is significant as many dangerous bacteria that infect humans share this structure, complicating drug delivery.
  • Utilizing live cell fluorescent imaging allowed researchers to observe real-time changes in the different layers of the bacterial surface during division. This method provided a comprehensive view of cellular processes.
  • Cryo-electron tomography was employed to achieve ultra-detailed three-dimensional views within the double membrane structure during division, revealing details previously unseen by other tools. A notable moment captured was a small opening between daughter cells just before separation.
  • The research uncovered mechanisms controlling the balance between surface creation for growth and division site formation, with genetic instructions influencing how E. coli divides; mutants exhibited various division methods unexpectedly.
Video description

Using a combination of fluorescent microscopy and cutting-edge cryo-electron tomography, researchers in the labs of Luke Chao and Tom Bernhardt in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School have provided never-before-seen views of double-membraned bacteria as they divide. The work offers new insights into the division process and may aid in the fight against antibiotic resistance, since these drugs typically target bacteria as they divide, when the cell wall and membranes are weakest. Led by postdoctoral research fellows Paula Navarro and Andrea Vettiger, the two groups made the discoveries possible by combining their expertise in bacterial cell division, bacterial genetics, and cutting-edge imaging. Results were published Sept. 12 in Nature Microbiology. Version that includes an audio-description: https://youtu.be/5JQZysHQiwY Like Harvard Medical School on Facebook: https://goo.gl/4dwXyZ Follow on Twitter: https://goo.gl/GbrmQM Follow on Instagram: https://goo.gl/s1w4up Follow on LinkedIn: https://goo.gl/04vRgY Website: https://hms.harvard.edu/