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Tailoring mitochondria to the cell's needs

Lehman et al. show that PGC-1 is limiting for mitochondrial proliferation in cardiac muscle, directing changes in mitochondrial population across cells. Overexpressing PGC-1 increases fatty acid oxidation capacity and coupled OxPhos, but constitutive expression leads to dilated cardiomyopathy.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateSep 30, 2000

A New Look At Margerine And Health

A CSIRO study found that margarines high in polyunsaturated fats and low in trans fatty acids reduce LDL cholesterol by 11-15%, corresponding to a 20-30% fall in heart disease risk. The study also showed that these margarines can produce a greater fall in blood LDL-cholesterol than other types of margarine.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalAmerican Journal of Clinical Nutrition·DateNov 27, 1998

Constructing "Designer" Plant Enzymes

The Carnegie/Brookhaven team successfully directed interconversions of enzymes that modify plant fatty acids, revealing the chemical mechanisms responsible for their diversity. They achieved this through making as few as six amino acid changes, paving the way for the creation of novel synthetic enzymes.