Category: C

A machine that is used to separate heavier from lighter molecules and cellular components and structures. A device to separate the components of a liquid by rapid spinning. A device that uses centrifugal force to separate two or more substances of different density. A simple centrifuge is a container that is spun rapidly to speed…

The historical organizing principle of molecular genetics; it states that genetic information flows from DNA to RNA to protein—or, stated in another way: DNA makes RNA which makes protein. This principle was first stated by Watson and Grick. It is, however, not rigorously accurate as illustrated by the facts that: The enzyme reverse transcriptase produces…

A protein engineering research consortium that was established in Rockville, Maryland during 1989 by the U.S. Government, the University of Maryland, and local government.  

Also called cell-mediated immunity. The immune response that is carried out by specialized cells, in contrast to the response carried out by soluble antibodies. The specialized cells that make up this group include cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), helper T lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes. This system works in concert with the humoral immune response.  

Tendency of cells to adhere specifically to cells of the same type. This property is lost in some cancer cells.  

The combining of cell contents of two or more cells to become a single cell. Fertilization is such a process (fusing of gametes’ cells).  

The various growth factors and other proteins which cause/assist in cell differentiation.  

The in vitro (i.e., outside of body, in a test tube) propagation of cells isolated from living organisms. A technique for studying cells from specific tissues. After isolation, the cells are grown in media containing all the known ingredients essential for their support. Different cell types may have different requirements. The process of growing cells…

Proteins produced by certain white blood cells [called cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) or killer T cells]. The proteins allow lysis (i.e., bursting) of infected cells. Cecrophins are amphopathic (i.e., contain both a hydrophobic region and a hydrophilic region); and work by “worming” the hydrophobic portion into the cell membrane (so the hydrophobic portion of the…

Also called APO-l/Fas, it is a transmembrane protein (embedded within the surface membrane of the cell) that transmits apoptosis (“programmed” cell death) “signal” into cells. Transduction of that apoptosis signal occurs when certain ligands or antigens (i.e., the APO-l/Fas antigen) bind to the extracellular (i.e., portion outside of cell membrane) part (i.e., receptor) of the…