Dynamins are an essential superfamily of mechanoenzymes that remodel membranes and often contain a “variable domain” important for regulation. For the mitochondrial fission dynamin, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), a regulatory role for the variable domain (VD) is demonstrated by gain- and loss- of-function mutations, yet the basis for this is unclear. Here, the isolated VD is shown to be...
Introduction: We have previously demonstrated, using polarized light, that we can image amyloid protein deposits in the retina without a dye. Postmortem, their numbers predict the load of amyloid in the brain and severity of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Here we differentiate retinal deposits of presumed amyloid beta, associated with AD, from presumed retinal deposits of alpha synuclein,...
Molecular azobenzene photoswitches have long been attractive in the design of photoresponsive materials owing to their reversible light-triggered photoisomerization about the azo bond (N=N) between trans and cis isomeric configurations. Towards more versatile materials applications, azopyridines have been designed as a next-generation azobenzene photoswitch possessing pH sensitivity,...
Proton therapy uses an external beam of protons to destroy cancerous tissue while reducing damage to healthy tissue. Of particular interest is the recent concept of proton FLASH therapy, where ultra-high dose rates (> 40 Gy/s) are delivered for under one second, with improved sparing of healthy tissue compared to conventional dose rates. The FLASH effect and the influence of beam properties...
