In order to survive, organisms must control the pressure inside them, from the single-cell level to tissues and organs.
Reviewed by Lily Ramsey, LLMNov 3 2023 Measuring these pressures in living cells and tissues in physiological conditions is a challenge.
When molecules dissolved in water are separated into different compartments, water has the tendency to flow from one compartment to another to equilibrate their concentrations, a process known as osmosis. If some molecules cannot cross the membrane that separates them, a pressure imbalance -; osmotic pressure -; builds up between compartments. This principle is the basis for many technical applications, such as the desalination of seawater or the development of moisturizing creams.
When cells team up to build our tissues and organs, they, too, face a pressure problem: Our vascular system, or organs such as the pancreas or liver, contain fluid-filled cavities known as lumens that are essential for their function. If cells fail to control osmotic pressure, these lumens may collapse or explode, with potentially catastrophic consequences for the organ.
Beyond offering insights into the biological processes and physical principles that govern life, this method holds promising industrial and medical applications, including monitoring skin hydration, characterization of creams or foods, and diagnosis of diseases known to have osmotic pressure imbalances, such as cardiovascular diseases or tumors. The patent for this technique is currently being issued by UC Santa Barbara, where Campàs performed his research before joining TU Dresden.
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