Cell biology’s role in Spirituality-

Ralf Reinhard Tönjes, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut

| PEI · Di­vi­sion of Medical Biotechnology; Section Non-vital Tissue Preparations, Xenogeneic Cell Therapeutics
, Prof. Dr. rer. nat.

 Ralf Reinhard Tönjes currently works at the Di­vi­sion of Medical

Biotechnology; Section Non-vital Tissue Preparations, Xenogeneic
Cell Therapeutics, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut.
 Ralf does research in Xenotransplantation, Microbiology, Virology and
Cell Biology.
 His current project is 'Xenotransplantation and Infectious risk '.
 Cell Biology in Simple words
Literal Meaning: study of tiny building blocks called cells that make up
all living things. These cells are like the basic units of life, kind of like
the bricks in a building.

In simpler words: Think of your Body that is made up of bricks. Each brick is
like a single cell. Each brick connects to each other
to make a wall, like skin or protective layer, to protect us.

Why to study cell biology?

To figure out how living creatures, including humans, function and stay alive.

To develop better medicines and treatments for diseases

To understand how life interacts with the environment

To develop new technologies like genetic engineering and cloning, which can
have a big impact on agriculture, medicine etc.
Importance of Cell Biology with an Example

Diabetes Mellitus
Pancreas-Beta islet cells-Insulin
Insulin Act as Key for entry of Glucose into the cell where Glucose in converted into Energy
Your pancreas may not produce
enough insulin (insulin deficiency) in
case of Diabetes.
Or
Your cells don’t use insulin
properly. The insulin can’t fully
“unlock” the cells to allow
glucose to enter (insulin
resistance).

Acting as a key, insulin binds to a

place on the cell wall (an insulin
receptor), unlocking the cell so
glucose can pass into it. There,
most of the glucose is used for
energy right away.
Cell Therapy
 Bridging cell biology and spirituality
Spirituality often involves asking profound questions about the nature of
existence, consciousness, and the origins of life.

Cell biology, by uncovering the mechanisms of life, can provide scientific insights
into these questions. It can help people explore how life emerges from the
interactions of molecules and cells.