A Chemical Reaction Network Drives Complex Population Dynamics in Oscillating Self-Reproducing Vesicles.

We report chemically fueled oscillations of vesicles. The population cycling of vesicles is driven by their self-reproduction and collapse within a biphasic reaction network involving the interplay of molecular and supramolecular events. We studied the oscillations on the molecular and supramolecular scales and tracked vesicle populations in time by interferometric scattering microscopy and dynamic light scattering. Complex supramolecular events were observed during oscillations─including vesicle reproduction, growth, and decomposition─and differences in the number, size, and mass of aggregates can often be observed within and between pulses. This system's dynamic behavior is reminiscent of a reproductive cycle in living cells.

DNA origami signposts for identifying proteins on cell membranes by electron cryotomography.

Electron cryotomography (cryoET), an electron cryomicroscopy (cryoEM) modality, has changed our understanding of biological function by revealing the native molecular details of membranes, viruses, and cells. However, identification of individual molecules within tomograms from cryoET is challenging because of sample crowding and low signal-to-noise ratios. Here, we present a tagging strategy for cryoET that precisely identifies individual protein complexes in tomograms without relying on metal clusters. Our method makes use of DNA origami to produce "molecular signposts" that target molecules of interest, here via fluorescent fusion proteins, providing a platform generally applicable to biological surfaces. We demonstrate the specificity of signpost origami tags (SPOTs) in vitro as well as their suitability for cryoET of membrane vesicles, enveloped viruses, and the exterior of intact mammalian cells.

Diurnal Variations in the Motility of Populations of Biflagellate Microalgae.

The motility of microalgae has been studied extensively, particularly in model microorganisms such as Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. For this and other microalgal species, diurnal cycles are well known to control the metabolism, growth, and cell division. Diurnal variations, however, have been largely neglected in quantitative studies of motility. Here, we demonstrate using tracking microscopy how the motility statistics of C. reinhardtii are modulated by diurnal cycles. With nine independently inoculated cultures synchronized to the light-dark cycle at the exponential growth phase, we repeatedly observed that the mean swimming speed is greater during the dark period of a diurnal cycle. From this measurement, using a hydrodynamic power balance, we infer the mean flagellar beat frequency and conjecture that its diurnal variation reflects modulation of intracellular ATP. Our measurements also quantify the diurnal variations of the orientational and gravitactic transport of C. reinhardtii. We use this to explore the population-level consequences of diurnal variations of motility statistics by evaluating a prediction for how the gravitactic steady state changes with time during a diurnal cycle. Finally, we discuss the consequences of diurnal variations of microalgal motility in soil and pelagic environments.

Chiral DNA Origami Nanotubes with Well-Defined and Addressable Inside and Outside Surfaces.

We report the design and assembly of chiral DNA nanotubes with well-defined and addressable inside and outside surfaces. We demonstrate that the outside surface can be functionalised with a chiral arrangement of gold nanoparticles to create a plasmonic device and that the inside surface can be functionalised with a track for a molecular motor allowing transport of a cargo within the central cavity.

Applying physical science techniques and CERN technology to an unsolved problem in radiation treatment for cancer: the multidisciplinary 'VoxTox' research programme.

The VoxTox research programme has applied expertise from the physical sciences to the problem of radiotherapy toxicity, bringing together expertise from engineering, mathematics, high energy physics (including the Large Hadron Collider), medical physics and radiation oncology. In our initial cohort of 109 men treated with curative radiotherapy for prostate cancer, daily image guidance computed tomography (CT) scans have been used to calculate delivered dose to the rectum, as distinct from planned dose, using an automated approach. Clinical toxicity data have been collected, allowing us to address the hypothesis that delivered dose provides a better predictor of toxicity than planned dose.