Miniseries: Illustrating the machinery of life: Eukaryotic cell panorama

Biochem Mol Biol Educ. 2011 Mar-Apr;39(2):91-101. doi: 10.1002/bmb.20494.

Abstract

Diverse biological data may be used to create illustrations of molecules in their cellular context. This report describes the scientific results that support an illustration of a eukaryotic cell, enlarged by one million times to show the distribution and arrangement of macromolecules. The panoramic cross section includes eight panels that extend from the nucleus to the cell surface, showing the process of protein synthesis and export. Results from biochemistry, electron microscopy, NMR spectroscopy and x-ray crystallography were used to create the image.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • B-Lymphocytes / ultrastructure*
  • Books, Illustrated*
  • Cell Membrane / ultrastructure
  • Cell Nucleus / ultrastructure
  • Cytoplasm / ultrastructure
  • Endoplasmic Reticulum / ultrastructure
  • Esthetics
  • Golgi Apparatus / ultrastructure
  • Humans
  • Molecular Biology / education*
  • Nuclear Envelope / ultrastructure