British Universities Film & Video Council

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Biological Barriers

Synopsis
Dr Barbara Pearse from the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge describes her discovery of the protein clathrin, which plays an important role in this process. Other proteins, called receptors, ensure that only specific substances are taken up. But even biological barriers can be breached. Certain viruses, for instance, have evolved ways of exploiting endocytosis to gain entry into cells - the Semliki Forest virus, for example. A similar strategy may hold for other viruses such as flu, yellow fever, and even HIV. The barrier that regulates access to the interior of the cell is the cell membrane. The programme explores the features of membranes that make them highly selective barriers and focuses on one aspect of membrane transport - the uptake of large molecules by the process of endocytosis.
Series
Biology: Form and Function, Course S203
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Medium
Video; Videocassette. Standard formats. col. 24 min.
Year of production
1991
Availability
Sale; 1998 sale: £145.00 (+VAT +p&p)
Subjects
Biology
Keywords
cells; clathrin; endocytosis; molecular biology; Semliki Forest virus; viruses

Credits

Producer
Rissa de la Paz
Cast
Julie Berry 

Production Company

Name

BBC Open University Productions

Name

Encyclopaedia Britannica Educational Corporation

Web
http://www.eb.com External site opens in new window
Phone
+1 312 347 7944
Fax
+1 312 347 7903
Address
Chicago, IL 60604
USA

Distributor

Name

Open University Worldwide

Web
http://www.ouw.co.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
+44 (0) 1908 274066
Address
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Notes
NB. As of May 2016 Open University Worldwide are no longer distributing DVDs. They have posted this message on their website: ‘Unfortunately Open University Worldwide Limited has decided that product sales are no longer viable given the reduced funding to Higher Education institutions and diminishing demand for the products we have traditionally stocked. At present the Open University Students Association (OUSA) will continue to sell the "Good Study Guide", and we are in discussion with other possible distributors to continue to make The Open University’s products available for purchase. As soon as we have any information on other channels of distribution we will update this notice’. Some products are still available via second hand dealers on Amazon.co.uk

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