SARS-CoV-2 Could Use Nanotubes to Infect the Brain

Stressed cells can form hollow actin bridges to neighbors to get help, but the virus may hijack these tiny tunnels for its own purposes, a study suggests.

SARS-CoV-2 Could Use Nanotubes to Infect the Brain

Stressed cells can form hollow actin bridges to neighbors to get help, but the virus may hijack these tiny tunnels for its own purposes, a study suggests.

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nanotubes, cell & molecular biology

nanotubes, cell & molecular biology

Collage of images including sperm, bacteria, coral, and an illustration of a researcher

Our Favorite Cell and Molecular Biology Stories of 2021

Jef Akst | Dec 2, 2021 | 3 min read

Beyond The Scientist’s coverage of COVID-19’s molecular underpinnings were many other stories highlighting the advances made in scientists’ understanding of the biology of cells.

A scanning electron micrograph of a coculture of E. coli and Acinetobacter baylyi. Nanotubes can be seen extending from the E. coli.

What’s the Deal with Bacterial Nanotubes?

Sruthi S. Balakrishnan | Jun 1, 2021 | 10+ min read

Several labs have reported the formation of bacterial nanotubes under different, often contrasting conditions. What are these structures and why are they so hard to reproduce?

Cancerous Conduits

Amanda B. Keener | Apr 1, 2016 | 2 min read

Metastatic cancer cells use nanotubes to manipulate blood vessels.