Researchers at the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center have discovered a new form of cell division in human cells. They believe it serves as a natural back-up mechanism during faulty cell division, preventing some cells from going down a path that can lead to cancer.

Electrophoresis relies on a basic process — particles moving in an electric field.

Dr. Amanda Capes-Davis, an independent cell culture consultant and founding manager of CellBank Australia, talks to contributing editor Tanuja Koppal, PhD, about the imperative need to establish best practices in a cell culture laboratory.

Choosing an in vitro model system that faithfully represents the natural physiology of the cell being studied is fundamental to understanding its in vivo function. Cultures of primary cell isolates retain their physiology and karyotype after isolation, but cultures may be difficult to prepare and are susceptible to contamination.

Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed an ultrasensitive method for detecting sugar molecules — or glycans — coming from living organisms, a breakthrough that will make possible a more detailed understanding of cellular functions than either genetic or proteomic (the study of proteins) information can provide.