Antiformin

/ˌæntiˈfɔːrmɪn/ noun

Definition

A chemical compound used to dissolve or destroy formins, proteins that help cells maintain their shape and structure.

Etymology

From anti- (against) + formin (a type of cellular protein), coined in scientific literature in the late 20th century as research into cellular mechanics advanced.

Kelly Says

Scientists use antiformin to study how cells move and change shape—by blocking formins, they can understand what these proteins normally do, kind of like breaking a toy to figure out how it works.

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