Sandra Ward

TL;DR: This study reports that, independent of inflammasome and membrane proteins, alum binds dendritic cell (DC) plasma membrane lipids with substantial force and proposes that alum triggers DC responses by altering membrane lipid structures.

TL;DR: Atomic force microscopy observations suggest a mechanism whereby immune cell activation can be triggered by solid structures via membrane lipid alteration without the requirement for specific cell-surface receptors, and a testable hypothesis for crystal-associated arthropathies, inflammation, and adjuvanticity.

TL;DR: A unique combination of the counterion-mediated translocation of CPPs with the underexplored, thiol-mediated covalent translocation is considered to account for this decisive difference and is shown to be the best siCPDs under conditions where cell-penetrating peptides are cytotoxic.

TL;DR: In this paper, the concept of fluorophore planarization and polarization for the construction of innovative fluorescent membrane probes is elaborated comprehensively in the context of oligothiophenes, and an extensive screening reveals that intermediate global deplanarization with strong individual twists near the membrane interface are best.

TL;DR: Molecular strings of ions built along charge-transporting channels are shown to dramatically increase photocurrents and enable charge transport over long distances, thus confirming the existence and significance of ion-gated photosystems.