Skip to content

Holotomographische Mikroskopie visualisiert rote Blutkörperchen

Empa researchers observed living red blood cells transforming into "burr cells" when treated with high concentrations of the drug ibuprofen. Using holotomographic microscopy, they were able to measure the red blood cells in real-time as they transformed and represent them in 3D renderings. Talia Bergaglio and Peter Nirmalraj from the "Transport at Nanoscale Interfaces" laboratory in Dübendorf induced the deformation of living red blood cells by adding the drug ibuprofen. Thanks to holotomographic microscopy, they were able to track the transformation from round "donuts" to burr cells in real-time. This innovative technique works similarly to computed tomography (CT), with imaging taking place via laser technology instead of X-rays. Digital holographic microscopy is therefore particularly suitable for biological samples such as blood cells, as it enables high-resolution, non-contact, and marker-free imaging that can subsequently be reconstructed into a three-dimensional representation. Red blood cells are a perfect model system in this regard, as they… 

more »Holotomographic microscopy visualizes red blood cells

Cryo-electron tomogram deciphers architecture of smallpox virus cores

To this end, ISTA researchers used the non-hazardous Vaccinia virus, available in the lab, as a smallpox virus model. They examined whole, mature Vaccinia virus virions, as well as virus cores isolated and purified from them – and this, in the truest sense of the word, from all possible angles. "We combined 'classical' single-particle cryo-EM with cryo-electron tomography, subtomogram averaging, and AlphaFold analysis to get an overall view of the smallpox virus core," say the researchers. Cryo-electron tomography allows scientists to reconstruct 3D volumes of a biological sample up to the size of an entire virus by taking images while progressively tilting the sample. Cryo-electron tomography enabled resolutions in the nanometer range to be achieved for the entire virus, its core, and its interior. Furthermore, the researchers were able to fit the AlphaFold models like a puzzle into the observed shapes and identify molecules that make up the core of the smallpox virus. Among these, the core protein candidate A10 stood out as one of the most important… 

more »Cryo-electron tomogram deciphers architecture of smallpox virus cores

Direct link between health checks and mortality risk proven

Regular health check-ups are always recommended. A new study from Great Britain now proves that this is also an effective measure. The study, published in the journal BMC Medicine, shows that participation in a health examination is associated with significantly lower diagnosis rates for several diseases. Better rates for a wide variety of diseases Researchers [...] Direct link between health checks and risk of death proven

Jellyfish with St. George's Cross: Researchers describe new jellyfish species

Brazilian researchers have discovered a new species of jellyfish at a remote location in Japan at a depth of 812 meters. The animal, named Santjordia pagesi, was sighted only twice in a deep underwater volcanic structure called Sumisu Caldera in the Ogasawara Islands, about 460 km south of Tokyo. The researchers have now described their discovery in the journal [...] Jellyfish with St. George's Cross: Researchers describe new jellyfish species

Rio de Janeiro declares state of emergency due to Dengue fever

Due to the Dengue fever epidemic, a state of emergency has been declared in Rio de Janeiro just a few days before the start of the world-famous Carnival. "In connection with Dengue fever, a state of emergency in public health is being declared in Rio de Janeiro," said the mayor of the Brazilian city, Eduardo Paes, in his decree, which was published in the online bulletin of the Mayor's Office. According to the city administration, the number of people infected with the disease since the beginning of the year is over ten thousand.

Great Britain leads Europe in life sciences investment

Venture capital investment in life sciences and biotechnology in the United Kingdom continues to outpace the rest of Europe, according to the latest report from the UK BioIndustry Association (BIA). In 2023, the UK accounted for 41% of total investment in the region, receiving a total of £1.8 billion in equity investment. However, the latter figure has fallen by 9% compared to 2022 statistics, according to the BIA. Nevertheless, according to Steve Bates, CEO of the association, the overall performance in recent years has been encouraging. "Although 2023 was a tough year for companies across all sectors, including the global biotech industry, the UK sector has shown remarkable resilience and investment, and stock market performance continues to outperform pre-pandemic levels," Bates commented.

Siemens Healthineers and City Cancer Challenge cooperate

Siemens Healthineers and City Cancer Challenge (C/Can) are expanding the geographical and technological scope of their partnership long-term. They are building on their existing collaboration to enable faster cancer diagnosis and treatment and increase the chances of survival for patients in low- and middle-income countries. The globally active medical technology company Siemens Healthineers is providing a sum of five million Swiss francs over the next five years to close gaps within the patient pathway from the first cancer symptoms through diagnosis to treatment, improve access to high-quality cancer care, and enhance gender health equity. C/Can works with urban stakeholders from the public and private sectors to improve access to cancer care from the ground up in low- and middle-income countries. The organization currently supports projects in 14 cities in North and...

more »Siemens Healthineers and City Cancer Challenge cooperate

A Tooth with a Warning

According to the patient, this tooth 25 was last treated approximately 20 years ago. It has been pain-free since then. After a change of dentist, the apical change of the tooth was discovered incidentally. Our imaging and clinical diagnostics revealed a lateral canal structure in the buccal root. That's a warning sign. After the initial treatment with preparation […] A Tooth with a Warning

Surgical Diagnostics

in tabular form for students and physicians. Cemach, A. J. A 6th ed. very good- hardcover (cloth-bound), minor signs of wear on cov. as in image, text/block tight clean. Sixth, unchanged reprint of the fifth improved and enlarged edition With 105 tables and 589 illustrations on 131 black and color plates publisher: Lehmanns’s Verlag, Munich date: 1965 edition: […] Surgical Diagnostics