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Floral Fusions
05 August 2017

Floral Fusions

Most cells have one nucleus – the home of the genetic material – but the cells pictured have been induced to fuse their outer membranes such that they now have multiple nuclei (the roundish coloured blobs that have grouped together into flower-like clusters). Muscle cells are one of the few types of naturally multi-nucleated cells and they form by the fusion of muscle stem cells. Scientists are hoping to boost muscle stem cell fusion so as to promote muscle regeneration in patients with muscle disorders, but the factors that drive cell fusion are largely unknown. Now, scientists have discovered such a factor – a protein, they call myomerger. Indeed, myomerger is responsible for the pretty cell fusions pictured. It’s possible, then, that myomerger, will not only help scientists learn more about the process of cell fusion, but also be used in the future to therapeutically rebuild muscle in patients that need it.

Written by Ruth Williams

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BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

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