Uploaded October 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
When a cell divides, it has to make sure each new cell gets an exact copy of the cell's DNA. It does this using a process called mitosis -- watch to learn more.
This video is part of the Bio-Dictionary for "The Explorer's Guide to Biology" (XBio for short), which is a bold re-imagining of the biology textbook for the 21st century. Visit explorebiology.org for free content that focuses on stories of scientific discovery.
When a cell divides, it has to make sure each new cell gets an exact copy of the cell's DNA. It does this using a process called mitosis -- watch to learn more.
This video is part of the Bio-Dictionary for "The Explorer's Guide to Biology" (XBio for short), which is a bold re-imagining of the biology textbook for the 21st century. Visit explorebiology.org for free content that focuses on stories of scientific discovery.
![Designing a self-propelled vesicle inspired by a bacterial swimmer
We present an original design for a self-propelling lipid bilayer vesicle using a DNA origami rotary motor, powered by transmembrane water flow[1] generated via photoactivable sodium pumps[2] and mimicking bacterial locomotion with a rigid helical flagella.
We have built a numerical model to assess the compatibility between the elements of the system and the viability of its structure and function. From this model, we have identified the limitations of the current design and proposed additional functions to consider for future development.
This video was created by Emma Brix, a student in the Cell Physics Master program at the University of Strasbourg.
Related resources:
[1] X. Shi, A. K. Pumm, C. Maffeo, et al., A dna turbine powered by a transmembrane potential
across a nanopore, Nature Nanotechnology 19, 338 (2024), https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-023-
01527-8
[2] Y. V. Bertsova, A. V. Bogachev, and V. P. Skulachev, Proteorhodopsin from dokdonia sp. pro95 is a light-driven na+-pump, Biochemistry (Moscow) 80, 449 (2015),
https://doi.org/10.1134/S0006297915040082 Designing a self-propelled vesicle inspired by a bacterial swimmer](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/bsNcls_gKms/mqdefault.jpg)









