Nicolle Rager Fuller takes you on a journey to discover the inner workings of cells.

Depicted below are exosomes, antibiotics puncturing a bacterial cell wall, cells recycling components in a process called autophagy, and more.

Antibiotics – Bacterial Membrane

Antibiotics Action on Bacterial Membrane: This illustration shows antimicrobial peptides penetrating a bacteria’s membrane according to the carpet model. A micelle forms from the microbial lipid bilayer (the fatty molecules), and the cell is punctured. ©Nicolle Rager Fuller

 

Cell Cannibalism

Cell Canibalism: In a process called autophagy, cells cannabalize themselves to clean out toxins, recycle used nutrients and to help control disease. Although scientists have known about the process for decades, it’s been only recently that the genes involved have been discovered allowing scientists to better understand how the balance of autophagy–too much or too little– can influence disease. This infographic shows the process of autophagy from instigation by a lack of nutrients, to chopping up proteins and mitochondria, to expulsion of the basic nutrients back into the cell. ©Nicolle Rager Fuller

 

Cell Structural Proteins

A vast network of interconnected structural proteins permeate the cell, providing structure, order, and transport highways. A few of the cytoskeleton components shown include: actin, tubulin, cadherin, microtubules and transport vesicles carried by dynein. Gold Winner of IC15. ©Nicolle Rager Fuller

 

Exosome Entering Cell

Exosome Entering Cell ©Nicolle Rager Fuller

 

Cell Organelle Recycling

Cell Organelle Recycling ©Nicolle Rager Fuller

 

Mitochondria and Cancer

Mitochondria and Cancer ©Nicolle Rager Fuller