Study explored how restricting the amino acid diversity in ancestral enzymes can uncover alternative catalytic functions, including ATP formation from ADP Overall, the study shows that restricting amino acid diversity can reveal catalytic capabilities beyond a protein’s conventional function. By…
A new review traces biomachining from its 1996 origins to current laboratory applications, finding that microbe-assisted metal removal works but faces major barriers to industrial scale-up. Subject of Research: A review of biomachining, a manufacturing method that uses microbial metabolism to…
A new study shows the PET radioligand AG-120 binds specifically to both wild-type and mutant IDH1, but measured affinities vary strongly with the assay method used. Subject of Research: Binding of the radioligand [18F]AG-120 to wild-type and mutant isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 assessed…
Milder conditions, less energy consumption and waste The weak spot of enzyme biocatalysis is the low stability of some enzymes. "Since the enzyme often has to be replaced in such cases -- which is expensive -- it is extremely important to increase…
A team of researchers has uncovered how subtle structural changes in terpene synthases can dramatically improve the biosynthesis of miltiradiene, a critical intermediate in the production of pharmacologically valuable compounds such as tanshinone IIA, triptolide, and carnosic acid. Boosting Production…
Researchers combined electrochemical CO₂ conversion with microbial fermentation in a single bioreactor to produce itaconic acid from carbon dioxide.
Engineers boosted a GH5 endoglucanase's catalytic efficiency up to 2.73-fold by mutating solvent-exposed peripheral residues to loosen the catalytic cavity, though the gains came with reduced thermal stability. Subject of Research: Protein engineering of the peripheral regions of a GH5 endoglucanase to…
Researchers engineered aldehyde dehydrogenases into oxidative ester synthases whose regioselectivity for primary or secondary alcohols is controlled by imidazole acting as an allosteric molecular switch. Chemists have long struggled to attach ester bonds to exactly the right spot on a…
Home » Science » Tiny Electric Motor Inspired by Ancient Water Pump Operates at Molecular Scale A groundbreaking advancement has been made in molecular electronics with the development of a tiny motor that operates at the molecular scale, inspired by an ancient…
Electric vehicles, powered by macroscopic electric motors, are increasingly prevalent on our streets and highways. These quiet and eco-friendly machines got their start nearly 200 years ago when physicists took the first tiny steps to bring electric motors into the world.
Engineering cells and enzymes to make molecules: synthetic biology, biosynthetic pathways, metabolic engineering and synthetic cells.
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