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  • 9805862709474902934563623514023680PublicAssets/3574Scientists have long known that multicellular organisms use biological molecules produced by one cell and sensed by another to transmit messages that, for instance, guide proper development of organs and tissues. But it's been a puzzle as to how molecules dumped out into the fluid-filled spaces between cells can precisely home in on their targets. &nbsp; Using living tissue from fruit flies, a team led by Thomas Kornberg of the University of California, San Francisco, has shown that typical cells in animals can talk to each other via long, thin cell extensions called cytonemes (Latin for "cell threads") that may span the length of 50 or 100 cells. The point of contact between a cytoneme and its target cell acts as a communications bridge between the two cells. &nbsp; More information about the research behind this image can be found in a <a href="http://biobeat.nigms.nih.gov/2014/02/animal-cells-reach-out-and-touch-to-communicate/" target=_blank>Biomedical Beat </a>Blog posting from February 2014.Sougata Roy, University of California, San FranciscoSougata Roy, University of California, San FranciscoPhotograph

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    CellsMolecular StructuresTools and Techniques

    Cytonemes in developing fruit fly cells

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    Scientists have long known that multicellular organisms use biological molecules produced by one cell and sensed by another to transmit messages that, for instance, guide proper development of organs and tissues. But it's been a puzzle as to how molecules dumped out into the fluid-filled spaces between cells can precisely home in on their targets.   Using living tissue from fruit flies, a team led by Thomas Kornberg of the University of California, San Francisco, has shown that typical cells in animals can talk to each other via long, thin cell extensions called cytonemes (Latin for "cell threads") that may span the length of 50 or 100 cells. The point of contact between a cytoneme and its target cell acts as a communications bridge between the two cells.   More information about the research behind this image can be found in a Biomedical Beat Blog posting from February 2014.

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    Sougata Roy, University of California, San Francisco

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    Sougata Roy, University of California, San Francisco

    Record Type

    Photograph

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    3574

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